"Charlie Woolslair - Master Bass Fisherman" is the title to Part II, Chapter 1 of the book "Hook, Line & Sinker" by Ralph Seaman, The Stackpole Co., Copyright 1956. In the book, Ralph talks about fishing on Meyers Lake and watching Charlie Woolslair successfully catching a series of black bass in a boat nearby. Ralph asked his dad "What in the world was he throwing, Pop, to get fish like that?". "That's a new fangled method of bass fishing......They throw a gaget called a plug" replied his dad.
According to the book, Ralph, age 14, encounted Mr. Woolslair on subsequent fishing trips developing a friendship. Charlie taught Ralph how to fish with different weight lures, to vary the depth, to work the bottom of the
lake and fish systematically thru each area of the lake making sure the fish see the lure. Ralph notes his first success with an imitation lure was with a "Creek Chub Goldfish with two pairs of double hooks." According to Seaman, their relationship lasts 36 years, before he moved to California.
To close the chapter, Seaman returns 6 years later to Alliance Ohio and shows a film on fishing at the Carling Convervation Club. During the show, Seaman inquires about Charlie, finds out he is still alive, recovering from a heart attack. He visits Woolslair that night and spends two hours with him. During their meeting Woolslair brings out cases of homemade plugs to show Seaman and reminisce. Seaman promises to visit again and show Charlie his film at his home - a personal viewing. This happens several months later. Several weeks after the showing, Seaman receives a cigar box of 25 lures. The book states a note was included identifying two of the lures as being 50 years old - which would date them around the turn of the century. (Unfortunately the note is missing.)
To the left is the illustration from Ralph Seaman's book, Hook, Line & Sinker. As you can see, the illustration is from the photo above, with sketches of Charlie's lures he sent to Ralph.
Much thanks to Dick Wilson, Bill Sonnett & William Jackson for help with this site.
Wiggler, with brass hardware, heart shaped aluminum lip. This lure has the same lip as four baits from Ray Mehnerts lures. The lure is shown in the sketch above.
Leg lure - head has flattened sides, the rear has a hook guard to prevent the hooks from locking together. The brass screws appear to be hand made.
Leg lure - brass hardware, hand painted gill marks on the lips. The lure is shown in the book illustration, bottom row, far left.
Leg lure - great finish - black paint has been scratched to reveal the brown, red lip. Brass hardware.
Two woodpecker style lure, with brass hardware.
Wiggler style bait with reversible lip. Line tie can be loosened to allow the lip to be rotated changing bait between and surface and diving lure.
Courtesy Bill Sonnett
Three wigglers with Creek Chub style lips. Red and white lure is similar to lure in the illustration above, top row, far left.
Note, hooks seem disporportionally large to the lure.
Wiggler - flat sided, slot for the lure present, but no lip. Paint finish very similar to Ray Mehnert.
Plunker style lure - with belly weight positioned to the back. Brass hardware.
Courtesy Bill Sonnett.
Crawfish - made from a light weight wood, some of the lures had Pepper like appendages that have since broken off.
