Fishing Museum - Branson

[Phil Lilley]

Branson, MO –  The world’s largest private collection of antique fishing lures, rods, reels, boats, motors and everything fishing opens as The History of Fishing Museum in Branson, MO.  Grand Opening is Thursday, June 30. The Ribbon Cutting will be at 10am.

Collected entirely by one man and his wife. Karl and Beverly White. Karl began collecting at the age of eight. The first lure Karl bought was the James Heddon’s Crazy Crawler (the most expensive lure to produce at the time). The lure is still in the collection today – nearly 70 years later!

The History of Fishing Museum is comprised of more than 40,000 pieces and valued at $5 million. The collection is considered to be the world’s most complete and diverse tackle collection. While many collectors specialize in one area (i.e. ice fishing) or one company (James Heddon & Sons), the Whites’ collection represents everything that is “collectible” in antique tackle and fishing paraphernalia including the first of many.

·       Spike Reel from the 1730s. 1^st Reel known to exist. Made in Europe, these reels were used by American Anglers.

·       Snyder Reel from 1840. 1^st Casting Reel made in the United States. Made by George Snyder from Paris, Kentucky. A watchmaker and silversmith, Mr. Synder made 12 reels for his family. Only 4 are known to exist today. Snyder Reels are the world’s first precision free-running baitcasting reels. When Karl White bought the Snyder in 1997, his purchase price set a world record for the most expensive fishing tackle item ever sold at an American Auction.

·       Haskell Fish Hook made by Riley Haskell in 1859. 1^st American plug-type bodied bait. With a metal body and a revolving tail, the minnow imitation has dual hooks that point upward. The lure was made in silver, copper, brass & bronze. Karl’s collectible is the bass size and in silver. The only Haskell found with the original box was a 10” copper (musky size) sold in 2003 for $101,200 at auction.

·       Comstock Flying Helgramite made by Edward Comstock in 1883. 1^st wood plug ever made, Mr. Comstock took his idea to Pflueger to manufacturer and Pflueger copied it. A lawsuit was quickly filed. This plug was used in the court case. Look closely and you will see the barbs have been cut off to prevent the judge from getting hooked.

·       Skeeter Boat. 1^st manufactured Bass Boat. Karl has the first Skeeter to come off the line. He owns production hull #1, he also has #2, and the fiberglass #3 and #5 in his collection.

The oldest patented piece in the collection is a Buel Trolling Spoon that was patented in 1852, but the collection also includes fishing artifacts that date back pre-colonial, Native Americans and Eskimos. Newly added to the expansive collection is aquatic dinosaur bones and fish fossils.

SPECIAL NOTE: Karl White’s mother turns 100 on June 30 and will travel from Oklahoma to cut the ribbon at the Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting Ceremony.

History of Fishing Museum is open Monday – Saturday 10am – 6pm and Sundays 12 noon – 6pm. Adult Admission is $17.75; Children $7.75. Groups of 15 or more are $11.00 with bus drivers and tour guides admitted free of charge. Located right off of Highway 76, you can find the History of Fishing Museum at 225 N. Wildwood Drive in Branson, MO.  1.417.239.FISH.

[Phil Lilley]

[dtrs5kprs]

Oh my goodness...I might go in and never come out.

[Ham]

16 minutes ago, dtrs5kprs said:

Oh my goodness...I might go in and never come out.

Is there a buffet?

[Phil Lilley]

Of lures...

[Greasy B]

28 minutes ago, Phil Lilley said:

Of lures...

Thank goodness. When I read the thread title I assumed this was going to another tourist trap amusement park by Johnny what's his name. It sounds wonderful I can't wait to visit. 

[ness]

OK -- this could get me to come to Branson. That or little Jimmy Osmond.

[Johnsfolly]

Will have to check out the museum the next time we stay in Branson.

 

[snagged in outlet 3]

1 hour ago, ness said:

That or little Jimmy Osmond.

Easy Ness.  This is a family forum

[ness]

35 minutes ago, snagged in outlet 3 said:

Easy Ness.  This is a family forum

Sick mind