fcwoods

Franklin C. Woods, 108 East Patterson, Alliance, Ohio

Alliance Ohio was the center of Expert minnow production at the turn of the century, with Charles C. Shaffer, John C. Holzwarth and Franklin Woods involved in early minnows from ~1898 thru 1907. (Not to mention Pardee as well.)

Shaffer may have been the originator of the 5 hook, "Expert" Minnow. Its believed Shaffer turned over marketing of the lures to Franklin Woods, possibly a relative. According to an ariticle in the American Angler, "Mr Shaffer in the an employ of the Government, so did not consider it adviseable to use his own name commercially in conjunction with the plug. In order to properly introduce it to the trade he named it after a relative, a Mr. Woods."

Apr. 1901 - J.C. Holzwarth, Alliance Ohio, ad for the Expert Minnow. 5 hook minnow.

Jan. 1902 - The New "Expert" Wooden Minnow is advertised in Sporting Goods Dealer, FC Woods & Co, Mfrs., Alliance Ohio. (image no holes in props and hooks are not removable)

Aug. 1902 - Ad in Field and Stream for The "Holzwarth" Minnow, JC Holzwarth, Alliance Ohio.

Nov. 1902 - Shafter patent application for "Artificial Bait", granted Mar. 17, 1903, No. 723,045. Shows 5 hook minnow, bowtie style props with holes, permanent hooks.

Jan. 1903 - Woods Expert ad in Sporting Goods Dealer clearly shows and states "now with perforated spinners and removable hooks" (Type I hooks).

Aug. 1903 - FC Woods patent application for "Fish Hook", granted Feb. 2, 1904, No. 751,365 (Type I removeable hook). Patent shows 3 hook, no eyed bait w/ flat sides.

May 1905 - National Sportsman ad shows the "New Spinner" Looks like Heddon spinner with holes on it. (Still has Type I removeable hooks).

Aug. 1906 - Patent application for "Fish Hook", granted Oct. 2, 1906, No. 832,520 (Type II removeable hook). Patent shows 5 hook, glass eyed minnow.

May 1907 - National Sportsman ad clearly shows and talks about the new "patented double hooks" on which the patent was granted in October of 1906.

1911 - Alliance City Directory (two entries):

The Woods Engineering Co. (FC Woods pres. FA Hobbs vice-pres, WC Brown sec'y & treas) tool grinders, rip saws, general machinery, office and shops

Patterson and park

FC Woods & Co. (FC Woods, A Shaffer) fishing tackle mnfrs, office, 108 E. Patterson.

Thank you to Jack Looney, Bill Sonnett, & Dick Wilson for sharing their assistance with editing this page and photos of Jacks collection.

Possible uncataloged frog bait

Green back, black strips, good belly with beautiful red gill marks.

Type I hook, patented in 1903. Standard props circa 1907.

Other examples is out there with Type II hooks, patent in 1906.

Photos of this lure were provided by William Howell, this lure belonged to his grandfather. He lived in the Akron, Alliance area.

Experimental Woods Minnows

Three Woods minnows with standard props and the tester box for carrying the lures.

Top lure has 1903 bowtie props.

Middle lure is "Pike size" with 1903 bowtie props.

Bottom lure has 1906 standard props, no belly weights

Early Expert Minnows - ca 1902

Three hook and five hook minnow with no hole bow tie props. Thru wire rigging, cut wire washers. Note additional spacer behind the prop of the 3 hook minnow.

Three hook, bow tie props w/holes. Thru wire rigging, cut wire washers. Note additional spacer behind the prop of the 3 hook minnow. Type I detachable hooks.

Expert Minnows - ca 1903

Three hook minnow with bow tie props. Glass eyes, thru wire rigging, cut wire washers. Type I detachable hooks.

Expert Minnows - ca late 1906/1907

Five hook minnow. Glass eyes, standard props, thru wire rigging, cut wire washers. Type I detachable hooks.

Three hook musky minnow. glass eyes , standard props, thru wire rigging, cut wire washers. Type II detachable hooks.

Courtesy Jack Looney

Three hook minnow with bow tie props w/holes. Glass eyes, thru wire rigging, cut wire washers. Type I detachable hooks.

Five hook minnow with bow tie props w/holes. Glass eyes, thru wire rigging, cut wire washers. Stamped "The Expert" on the side. Type I detachable hooks.

Three hook minnow (economy line). No eyes , standard props, thru wire rigging, cut wire washers. Type I detachable hooks.

Possible early Woods Expert Minnow

Three hook minnow, bowtie props w/holes, thru wire rigging w/silk gut side hook rigging, brass washers behind props. Brilliant blue with red and gold gill marks. Three belly weights. Lure has lots of attibutes of an early Woods minnow, at the very least a very early Expert style minnow.

Recent find by Gary Hall, Cleveland area.

Courtesy Gary Hall

Five hook minnow & Wooden box. Glass eyes , standard props, thru wire rigging, cut wire washers. Type I detachable hooks. Beautiful silver with red gill marks.