Rare Lure Replica

[toadfrog]

Well here it is Joe .Said I'd try it . Had about an hour to slap this together . Sorry for the crappy paint job . Forgot where the pic the original pic was posted . Hope I got close . I replicated the blades as best I could . Anyway here is looking at it.

[cwd]

I swear all you need to do, is see a lure and there it is.
You have a true tallent my friend. Please send some of it my way.
I would be too embarrassed to show my attempts at lure makeing.LOL
so bad even the fish laugh at them.

[toadfrog]

I bet your pretty good just a little on the shy side .

[bass or bass?]

It's a buzz/spinner/prop/stick bait! WOW! :eek:

[repair]

Tell us if it works then maybe I"ll make one.

[JoeW]

Toad, you really stuck the landing on that one! That is just great! I don't know how you can come up with the parts, the rigging, the bodies, and everything else that goes into those lures. If that was laying on a flea market table somewhere, there'd be a swarm of collectors throwing money at it! I solute you, sir! Best--- JoeW

If you missed the challenge taken up by toad, here's the post that got his nostrils flaring!

In 1885, Harry Comstock designed what might be the first wood bodied lure. He called this his "Flying Helgramite"! I can't even imagine what it would do in the water! It is one of the rarest of all old vintage lures! Thought you might want to see a very old version of a Helgramite.

[toadfrog]

Soon as the dang epoxy drys I'll send you this thing Joe and then you can post the results . Sort of an appreciation of the hard work you do for us . Far as the parts the wood I carved , the tail weight is a brass worm weight , The blades are 1/4 oz buzz blades reshaped to mimic the old blades . Couple of screws in the side and my Hagens spinner maker . Mix in some moderate skill at tying and there you have it. May make another if I can find the longer blades I really needed to do the reshaping . This time I'll dig out my airbrushes I haven't used ten times. Paint some scales and fins on the side fade it from dark to light see what happens. Then there is the epoxy coat it is the main reason I tend to stay away from cranks and the like . Find me something else to do when you got the time I need the distraction from every day life . Besides all the grand kids are HERE!!!!!!

[JoeW]

Well here it is Joe .Said I'd try it . Had about an hour to slap this together . Sorry for the crappy paint job . Forgot where the pic the original pic was posted . Hope I got close . I replicated the blades as best I could . Anyway here is looking at it.

Jumpin' jehozafat, toad! I'd be more than glad to take that one off your hands! Still have my address- eh, I'll PM it to you again. I'll be honmest with you-- I'll take it out to a little pond near here-- there are no BIG bass there, just 12" ers, so no danger of a big one breaking me off. Plus I'll use it on my Pike rig with 20 lb line. If I do hang bottom or a tree, well- I'm going swimming! Don't know if I remember how, though! I'll let you all know what it does in the water. Geez- it would be my luck to have a big pickerel chew it off the line. OK- wire leader, too! THEN, that baby is getting hung up with my other "contemporary handmade lures" collection. Do one thing- sign it with a Sharpie or something would you? Wait until I post a pic of that helgramite at a lure collectors website! Ya done Ol' Mr. Comstock proud! Best---- JoeW

[toadfrog]

Awh ! Come on now that thing is ugly up close . Wait till I get my hands on some sheet aluminum to make some blades . I'll get that thing down to near exact . Do you know where I can get some pics of other angles of it . They used a lead based paint and shellac as a clear coat . The shellac I can get the lead base paint I will have to manufacture myself That is if I can find my Henley's book of formulas . It has everything from tooth paste to gun powder in it.

[JoeW]

Here ya go toad! Here's some info I got from an auction:

The wood body of this Comstock Flying Hellgrammite measures 2 1/2” turned and ribbed wood body with plated tail cap, red glass eyes, green head and tan torso. It is valued at $8,625 according to the latest edition of Old Fishing Lures and Tackle Identification and Value Guide, 2012, Krause Publications.

I actually had one of those in my hands at an antique store while on vacation about a year after I became a "serious" collector. I talked the dealer into bringing an "old tackle box" out of the back room and showing it to me. I didn't know much back then but I knew the famous Flying Helgramite when I saw it laying in the top drawer of the box! He said the box was only available for trade for old Adirondack trapping antiques! I didn't really know the value back then, but I offered him $300 for it. He said no, trade only. Ya know, I never did look at any of the other lures in that box! Man, I still wake up at night sweating! We phone called for almost a year, I offered all sorts of trades and cash. He just just no. Then I got a letter from him, it said "Sorry, traded the box for an authentic trapper's log book from the 1860's". Geez, I hope that log book was worth in excess of $9000 !

The rest of the story (and I kid you not!): The antique store was "Comstock's Antiques" and it was in Fulton, NY----- The maker of the Flying Helgrammite was Harry Comstock, from Fulton, NY!!!! I was probably talking to old Harry's great grandson, and it was probably Harry's own tacklebox! Sometimes you eat the bear, and sometimes the bear eats you! Ah crud! Have fun toad! Best---- JoeW doh

[bass or bass?]

Awh ! Come on now that thing is ugly up close . Wait till I get my hands on some sheet aluminum to make some blades . I'll get that thing down to near exact . Do you know where I can get some pics of other angles of it . They used a lead based paint and shellac as a clear coat . The shellac I can get the lead base paint I will have to manufacture myself That is if I can find my Henley's book of formulas . It has everything from tooth paste to gun powder in it.


Give me the specs for the aluminum sheet you need. I have thinner material than the plates I sent you. Maybe a swap for one of your awesome turtle flies?

[toadfrog]

Just ordered Flat aluminum sheet for blades . Got some ancient red glass eyes around here some where . hope I find them . Now that you put me onto the info I need lets see if I can make the real deal come alive . Sort of a Jurrasick park syndrome has hit me . The one I sent today will be your just for fishing lure . The next one you can put on the wall. Thanks a hundred fold for the info Joe . I can build those and not require heat . I'm man on a mission . I have been intrigued .

[JoeW]

Boy toad--- you're like a man possessed! Really looking forward to it! Here's a pic of what ol' Harry Fulton was imitating with his "Flying Hellgrammite"!

[toadfrog]

Ya know if I made a 3 piece body attached blades to the center piece with opposing leading edges at 45 or 35 degree angles i might get a variable speed rotation on the core piece. Dang it Joe see what you've done . My Brain is going buzz buzz buzz . Arrrg! I feel another hobby coming on . 4 ' 9'' 100 lb wife is going to whop me bad and I don't think she is going to let me like it.

[repair]

I'm thinking of making one.
How long is the main body and about how thick it the part of the body where the spinners are.
From the pictures it looks like about 2 1/2" X 1/2".

[toadfrog]

Repair its on page one 2 1/2 inches Go for it I like to see other peoples work . It gives you that all in the family feeling . Its not all that hard if you don't have to hand carve it . Dave carves his and I got a whole new appreciation for his work.

[JoeW]

I gotta post another pic of Toad's "Flying Helgramite". Beyond words! I'm taking this out (as soon as it warms up and stops raining!) and trying a couple casts with it but with 20# line, Pike tackle, and in a pond with no Bass over a foot! Then it's up on my wall with other "folkart" lures. Thank you most sincerely Toad! Best---- JoeW

[bass or bass?]

The man's an artist!

[JoeW]

Got away for a couple hours this AM, took the helgramite out to a little pond for a test drive. Man, casts like a bullet, even on 17# line! Sinks, but can be held near the surface with a high rod/faster retrieve. Fished it where I could- pond is really weedy this time of year and with three trebs, the lure IS a weed-magnet, but I'm sure you knew that. I did hang it up a couple times and was ready to go swimming, but pulled it free. The side blades had a little trouble turning on a straight retrieve- I noticed that on the "original" helgramite, the blades were on one continuos bent wire- maybe to hold to the blades away from the body? At any rate, on a pull and drop retireve, the blades spun fine on the drop, then folded along the sides on the pull-- a neat action! AND.... drum roll again.... on a pond noted for no Bass over 12", I had two swirls behind it! Probably nipping at the feathered trebs, or maybe just trying to get out the way of it!
I'm torn between hanging it up in my collection now, or giving it another spin at a deeper pond with fewer weeds. I have a feeling that thing would nail some nice bass! I'm sure they've never seen a lure like it!
Thank you, sir, for the lure and the chance to fish it! Not often you can fish a 130 yr old bait to see what it can do. There's at least a couple of fish thinking "Wha' wuz zat?". You ARE the Toad-meister! Best---- JoeW

[repair]

Starting to make mine.
Had to order some items, won't look exactly like the original but it will be close.
Going to try bass buzzer blades on it.
Will have some pics when done.

[toadfrog]

Give me the specs for the aluminum sheet you need. I have thinner material than the plates I sent you. Maybe a swap for one of your awesome turtle flies?I can use .032 or thinner and we can do a barter .

[toadfrog]

Looking forward to seeing it , Bet it is going be great.

[repair]

I got mine made.
Body work done on a lathe.
Got to work on the painting though.
100_0682.jpg (http://outdoor-fishing.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=963&stc=1&d=1316275419)

[JoeW]

Man! Another real piece of work! Ya made ol' Harry Comstock proud! I do think that lure would catch some fish! I had the two swirls! And way back when--- The Pfleuger Company picked up the patent from Comstock and continued to make that lure for several years under their own trademark! They added luminous paint to the wings. And remember, that lure is considered by many to be the first commercially made WOOD bodied lure. You and toad certainly picked a worthy lure to recreate! Thanks both for all your efforts! Best---- JoeW

[toadfrog]

Dang that's a fine job . Time to test it . I haven't even started on a remake yet. Been busier than a long tail cat in a room full of rocking chairs . But eventually I will .

[repair]

As soon as as I can it'll be tested. My wife had a knee replacement so I've been babysitting her as soon as she's ok again I'll be out there.
The weather is starting to cool a little, upper 80s low 90s LOL.
Reports to follow soon, I hope.

[bass or bass?]

I can use .032 or thinner and we can do a barter .

Sorry, the thinnest I have is .048. shrug

[repair]

I got to test it today, it went through the water like a small B52.
It did attract a 15ft alligator, I put it up after that.

[toadfrog]

Now that is funny . I can just see your eyes at the thought of losing that thing . Not to many people know how much work really goes into a project like that.