Knowing who designed and made your fishing gear can be rather alluring.
Lefty Kreh
Rainy’s Flies
Lefty Kreh began making his flies in 1947 and though he no longer actually ties them, his designs can be found on the shelves of almost any bait shop. In particular, Lefty’s Deceiver has become an icon of fly fishing.
However, Kreh points out that fly fishermen can tie their own flies to tailor them for their local fishing conditions (such as the presence of weeds) and for “the added joy of experimenting.” But he also adds that tying your own flies won’t save you any money once you start investing in all the equipment.
($4.47 – $6.50; www.rainysflies.com)
Fred and David Hall
Hall ‘Em In Lures
Hall ‘Em In Lures are made by the father-and-son team of Fred and David Hall. The Halls developed their business by combining their hobbies of fishing and woodworking. Their newest lure is designed for fishing offshore for tuna and other pelagic species. The lure consists of a piece of solid cherry so that it sinks faster than the Hall’s Spanish Cedar lures. Each lure is coated first in waterproof sealer, then two layers of primer, then hand-air-brushed paint, and finally a triple pour of epoxy.
(Starting at $65;
)
Tom Greene
Antique Reels
Tom Greene has been in the lure business for more than 40 years and been manufacturing resin lures for more than a decade.
He also runs Custom Rod and Reel, a saltwater tackle shop in the Fort Lauderdale-Boca Raton area, and is known for his collection of antique reels. Greene designs his lures to be well balanced with hand-poured heads and eyes. They also feature mylar in the skirts, which Greene describes as one of the best lure innovations in the last few years.
($74.95; www.antiquereels.com)
This article originally appeared in the March 2011 issue of Power & Motoryacht magazine.
