What can you tell me about these?

[RipDatLip]

I wanted to keep the file small, but I think I made it to small for everyone to read all the info. I can also zoom in on any space of this with my scanner if you would like. Yes this is very old, but I am looking for any information about this company.

http://www.ifish.net/uploads/292918269.jpg

Matt

[Fin]

Ask Thumper. He's old enough and the okie drifter was his favorite lure.

[BCFISHON1]

I believe those are the grandfather of the corkie.grizzly tackle may have been the orig manufacturer.I want them and will take them off your hands at no cost to you images/icons/grin.gif

[RipDatLip]

If you think I am going to get rid of them you can guess again. My grandfather has a lifetime supply of these things. He has them in more colors than in this picture. They are very high-quality, unlike todays "corkies". I just don't know anything about the company. I would like to learn.

Matt

[Thumper]

Geez, thanks Fin....you are older than me, ya know. Maxwell Manufacturing (Jim Maxwell, a Vancouver businessman, still around I think, tho now he's in real estate) made these back in the 60's and 70's, maybe earlier. He also sold a lot of lead products. The original Okie Drifter came right after the Cherry Bobber and such early steelhead lures. We used to especially covet the "sunrise" pearly-colored Oakie Drifter tied as a 2-hook rig with a touch of yarn. I bought out a tackle shop and have tons of these and other colors. I don't know if they still work....Fin thinks we may have caught all the steelhead that would take them and wiped their genetic strain out once and for all. Back then we rarely used bait. Didn't need to. I wonder if they still work.....

[fishbait]

Believe they were acquired by Luhr Jenson & Co.........Still see soem okie drifters on the store shelves..
Thumper.I have about 30 sunrise color left..... High water steelhead lures.can't be beat, in my opinion, sometimes better than bait...............care to sell/trade for a few........I've got lots of salmon to trade.

[Stz ll]

My wife used to work for Maxwell Mfg. Company back in about 1971. She said she made 1000's of Oakie Drifters. At that time they had a facility making these things in NE Portland on about 28th and Alberta.

[smilesforu]

They also made a line of yarn stuffed in little clear tubes with a hole in the top. I Purchased a bunch of old tackle and it had a bunch of oakies in the plastic containers with grizzly on the boxes. Luhr Jensen goes around buying up the smaller sucessful fishing companies and shutting down the gear so you have to buy theirs images/icons/frown.gif. Oakies are now made from styrofoam, you can't get the pink sunrise oakies unless you custom paint images/icons/smile.gif.
The thing I don't like about oakies is they break if they hit a rock..ugh.

Matt if you ever want to sell/trade for that display board let me know images/icons/smile.gif. Its one cool piece that I would love to display. Next to my wood flatfishs, Ray bobbers,cherry bobbers Eddie Pope hot shot display, Mac Squid plugs and old reels.
Old tackle isn't ment to be used...it is a collectible of Northwest heritage. images/icons/cool.gif

[Thumper]

Hey guys.......next Ifish event lets bring our oakies and swap or sell. I have tons in lots of colors....I gotta go out this winter and catch another steelie on a sunrise!

[CHUMSALMON]

hey Matt,
whatever you do don't take those off of that display board! that's what makes those worth soooo much! guys, are really hot on collecting those things now, might be some good trading stock in the future. images/icons/wink.gif

[Silent Lucidity]

Along these lines...where does one take antique fishing tackle to be appraised? I was given some tackle by an elderly friend who told me that her husband hadn't fished since the 1920's so this stuff had some age to it. At least one of the levelwinds had stamped dates around 1926 I believe, and I also was given a creel and a round flybox with a couple dozen flies in primo shape.

Just curious.

[salmonlips]

By the looks of the package and the size of the okies, carbon dating would put them about 1972 - 1975. Prior to that there was one size, huge (about the size of a quarter, and one color, orange.) My dad fished those big orange things exclusively in winter and caught lots of fish regardless of water conditions. In the early seventies, different sizes and colors came out. My personal favorite was the smallest hot pink one they made. It accounted for the best winter steelhead day ever for me - 7 fish, one hole, 2 hours. I ran out sometime in the 80s but would love to get my hands on a few. Even after corkies, birdies etc. took over if I couldn't raise anything I saved several trips by dragging out one of the old pink okies. Thanks for a great reminder of my dad (gone since 72) and some great fish

[RipDatLip]

Were you talking about the old okies or the new okies breaking against the rocks? I know the only way I could break/seperate the old okies would be to hit them with a hammer.

What is so great about the sunrise color? The rasberry color is almost the same. Also what do you think about the peach color? The peach color also glows in the dark. They don't glow as bright as today's but glows longer.

Matt

[Hare's Ear]

In 1959 or 1960 the company ran a promotion that promised to publish a picture in the Oregonian of any fisherman that caught a steelhead on an Okie. My brother, 10 years old at the time, caught at nice sized steely on the Clack and my father sent in the picture of my brother with the fish. True to their word, the picture was published in the sports section.

[CHUMSALMON]

ss, not sure were your from, but for apprasial purposes, if your ever in laconner, wash. stop by a store (right on the main drag commin in to town) called Plug Ugly, guys name is John and deals in atique tackle. truely and expert on that stuff, he'd be able to tell you anything and everything about it. hope this helps ya images/icons/wink.gif

[smilesforu]

Matt next time you gaze at a steelie with that hint of color on its cheek.....you will see your sunrise okie. You may have got a bad batch so if you need a field tester to double check them for you...oh sorry. Can't help myself images/icons/rolleyes.gif Don't take them off the board like was said above. It adds character/quality to the piece it is also a truly great reference to the past. I had recently bought a old salmon derby guide and it had a picture of my great grampa with a fish....a boat winning fish. What a great surprise that find was, it triggered stories and more photos related to the family fishing history...fun images/icons/smile.gif.

I think the board should be framed in a beautiful oak frame and covered in glass to protect it. Wanna trade images/icons/smile.gif

[Thumper]

A couple of years ago I kinda got into old reels and picked up some good reference books on collector values. Anybody that wants to know a value for a reel let me know and I can look it up....maybe.

[Silent Lucidity]

I'm in SE Portland so heading up to Lynnwood would have to be combined with another trip to make it worth it.

Thanks for the offer Thumper. As soon as I get home I'll grab some information about the reels and post them here for ya. Curious as to what they're worth.

[Silent Lucidity]

Okay, here's some info on the reels. I can only find two of them right now so here we go:

Pfueger Akron No 1894. It has patent numbers on it and the newest is 1926. In fair condition, would clean up well. Shakespeare's website lists an 1893 and 1895, but there have been references on the `net of them existing.

I've also got a Shakespeare Superior Kalamazoo #1962. At first I thought that the # was the year but the date code is HD, which according to Shakespeare is 1937. Again, needs work but should clean up well.

Last one appears to be a Martin Co. automatic fly reel, model No. 4? Can't find diddly on it.

There ya go. I'll clean them up sometime, but I'm also curious what they're worth.

[smilesforu]

Well none sound of a real rarity so they would depend on condition and appearance. Rubs,scratches,modifications, etc.. The value of a reel goes up dramatically when you have a box and the papers that go with it. Most of the reels you stated could be had on ebay from 20-50. If you have the boxes and they are in mint condition they can get bid over $100. Shakespeare are pretty common older reel. So are Pflueger but they tend to go for a little more than a Shakespeare. The fly reel isn't uncommon either and would probably fetch 25 if its clean.

These are just from what I experienced. Sentiment can't be justified in pricing... Unless grampa is a known Pioneer with name value it won't add anything. Enjoy your reels...clean them up and spin the handles ....dream of the old days. images/icons/smile.gif

[Sol Duc]

Dont get too excited in the value!! They arent old enough to have much value.Ive been collecting old tackle for 15 years and belong to the nflcc.Guys are looking for old bass pluugs pre 1940,s. Dont quit your day job!!! :> )

[Thumper]

O.K. Silent Lucidity let's take a look at the value of those reels. The info is from Jellison and Homel's 2nd Edition, and in my experience the values are very low compared with what collectors now pay at shows and on the internet. Internet trading (e.g., Ebay and the like) has vastly inflated the selling value of older reels, much to the consternation of old-time traders.

The Pfleuger Akron 1894 ("80 yd") was made about 1930 and is valued at $40 in excellent conditon. In your "fair" condition the value drops to $7-20.

The Shakespeare Superior Kalamazoo #1962 was made about 1925 and features jewelled bearing caps. It is similarly valued ($40 in excellent condition, $7-20 in fair condition).

The early Martin Automatics were made before 1925 and were stenciled as #1 thru #5. Your #4 in excellent condition is valued at $30.

In my experience the actual trading values of these reels on internet auctions are about double the values stated above.

Smilesforu is darned close to these so-called experts on his estimations of value.

[ 09-28-2001: Message edited by: Thumper ]

[smilesforu]

Thumper thanks for the expert pricing. I have most of these reels I have bought from ebay so I was fairly familiar with what I paid for most. I still watch for reels that I like....don't see as many as I use to. My favorites are the onew with the ivory handles and brass spools. Misselbach spins for ever with the silicon grease images/icons/smile.gif

Silent..the creel and fly box may actually be of the most value. These are subject to quality also, but if its a old high quality one they go for good money. Any markings as to the manufacturers?

Matt....the old okies would break along the glue line..then into two pieces or fill with water.

Buying these things is a disease...oh don't have that one yet....

[ 09-29-2001: Message edited by: smilesforu ]

[RipDatLip]

I have experienced the same thing with the center of the okie breaking, but very rarely. Only once on the river. I guess this wouldn't be the time to mention that I have two of these boards. And no, nothing is compelling me to but any okies/corkies. I don't need to, yet. I think I might need a tester... Would like you to test how some of the okies outfish others. I just don't have enough time.

Matt

[RipDatLip]

Then please explain to me what you have proven. I would rather not waste time using a color that is not as productive as another.

Matt

[smilesforu]

ok I will bite....tell me your river conditions, color of water, clarity, time of year, where your fishing in relationship to the ocean, How Pressured are the fish, Was the river in shape yesterday? What color and size do I have to choose from? I will assume your fishing steelhead. Any color in the hands of a skilled fishermen will out fish the best color in the hands of a rookie. With that said let er rip

[smilesforu]

Matt I can tell you about most of my previous field testing. Okies have been around a long time I have 1000 or so of them. I don't have all the different sizes and color but would trade for some of the ones I don't have. Most of my stuff in Okies is small/medium.
In a nutshell certain colors excell in certain colors of water or type of fish. They all work, but some are better suited for certain conditions.

[RipDatLip]

Are you biting the bait or the hook? No, just kidding.

My main rivers are the North & East Fork of the Lewis, but sometimes I fish the Kalama and the Cowlitz. The Lewis almost always run clear. I have never seen the NF muddy, but the EF was a chocolate brown the other day after a hard rain. I fish year-round on both of these rivers, except late summer on the EF Lewis. I generally fish quite a few miles from the ocean but occasionally I fish at the mouth or upstream a little. There can be really bad hoglines at the mouth and other popular places on the Lewis during salmon season. Generally I fish 2-3 popular places and then avoid the general public. I think most of the okies are size 2 and 3. You have choices in just about every color imaginable. I will have to do some searching to find some more sunrise/rasberry okies, but I know I have them somewhere.

These are a lot of variables. I'm going to trust your fishing experience because I am still learning. Just e-mail me if you have something important to say. images/icons/wink.gif

Matt

[First Bite]

For anyone that has some of those "sunrise" Okies, they work great for Chinook too. I was fortunate enough to purchase a bunch from a retired fishing rep and the first time I used them was in late November on the Wilson river several years back. I hooked four Chinook that morning using just a plain Okie. When I drift fish, they are my first choice to use.

Mark

[stlhdr1]

Matt,
One thing that you'll want to remember. The okies work great in all colors but if I were to pick one and run with it, it would be the nailpolish pink color.
Remember, for steelhead you'll have a tough time outfishing eggs or shrimp. These are one of your best bets on bait restricted areas, also try some glo-glos which are made of the same plastic and more like a modern day birdie.
Also, these seem to work best for native fish, as they are much more aggresive than you're inbred hatchery fish.
My best success in this area using them was on the NF lewis at the hatchery corkline during the winter when the river was running about 12,000 cfs, fishing them right off the shoreline in the softer water. We'd rig a nailpolish pink one with a small piece of white yarn over the top of it and drift fish it. One of the few times I've seen something work better than eggs! Other than that we've played around with them on the penninsula in the bait restricted waters.
Keith

[smilesforu]

Matt one of the things about okies that made them unique is the colors that others couldn't duplicate because of there use of clear plastics. They moved away from clear plastic to a white plastic base for the other colors. The okies with the white plastic base are easy to replicate or even replace with similiar lures such as a corkie or the modern poly styrene (sp?). One of the colors painted on the clear plastic was the pearlescence color. This color can be duplicated by using a finger nail polish over the clear plastic bobbers. images/icons/smile.gif

The other clear colors also offer the most flexibity to custom color lures. All the solid colors can be replicated on other body shapes and sizes.
Basic color choice is a foundation to using the correct tackle at the right time. Sure the fingernail polish Okies is a good lure but it is not the correct choice in all river conditions. It will work in the majority of the conditions so to pick one its not a bad choice, but I would wager more fish have been caught on the orange than that one. Mostly because is was more widely distributed and available. Bill Herzog use to speak the virtues of the pink okie and it has become the lure of choice of many fishermen because of this, heck he probably still likes it. There are situations where the pink nail polish okie will will out fish any other lure. Learning that time is important, but not dire to your fishing sucess.
Color, size and presentation are the three basic keys to fishing sucessfully. How you adjust these to meet the water conditions, fishing pressure and species details. You can't fine tune anything with out the basic fundamentals first.
Did I come out and just tell you ...NO!! The idea is to get you to think. A thinking fishermen is a 10% fishermen if he has the fundamentals down.
Which is better? Cast there....or If you cast there a fresh fish should be holding there because of the way the riffle below spills into the pool below.

Use this.. or This lure color will give you a nice size presence in this water clarity.


Tight Lines and happy learning

[Uncle Bob]

Hey Matt, check your personal e-mail for the reel truth.

UB

[RipDatLip]

How would you rate the silver and the gold okies?

Matt