skirted baits

[Jerry Rapp]

a couple of weeks ago a discussion was going on about putting skirts on Midge-O-Orenos and such.  Came across the bottom lure in this photo in one of my inherited tackle boxes, tried to find that thread with no luck so started a new thread.  Dad and Pa both lived in Flat River, so I am sure one them used this lure on the Big River somewhere along the line.  Anyone (Al?) have any idea what it is?  The little spinner on the back is sort of intriguing, and the shredded ribbon was obviously added as an enticer.  

[Al Agnew]

South Bend, the original company that produced the Bass-oreno and its smaller versions the Babe-oreno, Midge-oreno, and Spin-oreno (in descending order of size) also produced several other lures with the same head shape, so the lure is possibly another variation made by South Bend.  I know they made one called a Fish-oreno with the same head shape, but the head was covered in metal and the line tie was up on top instead of down in the scooped out portion.  That lure was a favorite of an old guy I once knew who fished Current River for walleye all the time.  They also made two that were even smaller than the Spin-oreno and that sometimes came with just one hook like that one, the Fly-oreno and Trout-oreno.  But they weren't shaped quite like the one in your picture.  Interestingly, they once produced one called a Two-o-bite, which was reversable.  It had a head like the Orenos on one end, and a pointed head with a metal bill on the other end, with line ties on both ends, and two trebles on the belly.  So you had two lures in one--kind of a neat idea, actually.

[Jerry Rapp]

a guy over on the Antique Board at BBC identified it. It is a Rustler made by Wright and McGill.  I found a listing for one on ebay to confirm it.