Some Vintage Ice Fishing Tackle
by Harold Dickert
This is a deep water ice fishing reel reel used here on Muskegon Lake to fish in about 45 feet of water. It has been in my collection for many years.
The other picture is of my Mother-in-law, Mrs. Mildred Land Bergeon, taken in about 1941, using this very reel. She was quite a gal and the best Mother-in-law a man ever had. She passed away at the age of 92 last year. Just wanted to share.
Here are a couple of pics of some other wonderful old folkart ice fishing reels. Of the 3 laying together the small egg beater type one is the oldest and dates to around 1908 and was used to fish through the ice on the Grand River in Grand Haven, Michigan.
I found it many years ago wrapped up for storage in a basement with a Michigan Lifelike Minnow and other tackle from that period. The other two date from the Great Depression.
The last pic is a ceiling or wall mount reel (to mount inside the shanty) that was used on Muskegon Lake in Muskegon Michigan in the 1930's. It was made by a pattern maker named B.R. Weir.
Thanks, Harold! Some wonderful ice fishing tackle and great memories. One of these days I'll find someone to write a book on vintage ice fishing gear!
-- Dr. Todd
