Like I implied on IG, this is a museum quality display. I would not be the least bit surprised if and when some of the collections you've been showing recently end up in an exhaustive museum exhibition tour. People need to see this stuff, hear and read the stories of the makers, and have these items documented in an exhibition catalogue. These are indeed works of art, whether they were hand crafted like the Fred Young lures or mass produced. People like Russell are an integral part of the story, with the knowledge and passion to relay it to the public. This stuff is a part of Americana, a part of not just fishing history but of the history of the country as well, because whatever it was that drove guys like Fred Young, Tom Mann, Fred Arbogast and many others to create and market their creations could only really happen to such an extent in America (it did occur in other countries like Canada and Sweden but it really exploded in America).
That gentleman is not only a true collector and is a historian. I could only imagine the knowledge that gentleman has. To know all the variations and product codes , dates , colors etc only comes with experience. You can tell he’s not a bottom feeder with his collection and strives for the best. He has such a advanced collection it is unreal and he definitely has deep pockets. Very well spoken you can tell he’s not just some self appointed authority on Lures. Viewers should take note this gentleman is a true collector and definitely in the upper tier of collectors.
That's an incredible collection...Fred Young did indeed change crankbait fishing . In 1969, in Madisonville, Ky I started a crankbait manufacturing company called Creative Lure .. I based my design off Mr Youngs baits. My lure was called " The Gyro"..
OMG!!! I would have loved to get that up close and personal with than collection like you had the opportunity to do, wow. And even the prices he had listed, I assume they were for sale, we’re better than I have ever seen, and better quality to boot. Any info on how to get in touch with Russel? Do you have more up close footage by chance you took of the baits, would love to see more, and I know you were keeping your camera on Russel while he was talking about the baits, but would have been great to zoom in on each bait he was explaining at the time to. I have got to get to some of these shows, thanks Retro.
Took my breath away!! Thank-you beyond belief. You truly know how to show old lures so much I am joining the NFLCC. Again, wonderful, and keep safe, Jim.
I’m not a collector but I’ve really enjoyed this entire series. I’ll admit I don’t fish it old school however I love the videos you make. I look forward to the Saturday video drop. It kinda brightens my day. These people you’ve interviewed on this series are very knowledgeable and I love to learn about older fishing lures and learn about why they made them and how they even came up with the design. That guys Fred Young display was amazing. Thanks for bringing us along for your trip I’m sure I speak for everyone when I say we really appreciate the time you put into these videos.
That is a great collection. Thanks for the video. I am going to have to go to a future collectible lure show. I was 14 when I first read about the Fred Young Big O in Bassmaster. I live in Alabama and East Tennessee seemed a million miles away at the time. I always wanted one of his baits, but did not know how to get one. I can’t believe how well preserved these baits are. I was able to purchase Bagley Balsa B cranks. I believe they could be bought for $5.00 in 1975. These were production similar. You had to be real careful not to “over cast” your bait on to a rocky shore. The paint would crack or break the body if you hit a rock.
This is a great video u know those baits at around 5:24 on the bottom left look very similar to an JDM osp bait called the blitz magnum SR and they have a very similar profile and shape. I wonder if thats where they got there idea from. Cause a lot of these jdm companies love the US lure history and always bringing back older baits that not many people know about so most people would think they're a new design.
I would love for there to be a tackle museum with displays like that in it. One day, maybe. I know B.A.S.S. has a museum, but I don't think it has anything of the caliber of some the displays you showed us from the NFLCC show.
Man I'd love to talk to the guy with the Tennessee Shad and Big O collection, hopefully will run into him at the Pigeon Forge show in January. I was born, raised, and currently live in east Tennessee close to where some awesome crankbaits came from. I have several Tennessee Shad but not Big Os and looking at the price I won't own many if ever. The Big O auctions signs would be really cool to have, I'm sure they're worth a few thousand. Thanks for sharing these videos, love the history.
Wow just watching this video ive noticed, I too had a fred young top water lure. When i first moved into this house (rental) the landlord left a whole bunch of old vintage stuff buried in the garage, Including a jitterbug crankbait (which i stupidly fished and lost) and a fred young topwater like the bottom left lure in the picture at 17:27 which i should have buried or laying around somewhere.
Like I implied on IG, this is a museum quality display. I would not be the least bit surprised if and when some of the collections you've been showing recently end up in an exhaustive museum exhibition tour. People need to see this stuff, hear and read the stories of the makers, and have these items documented in an exhibition catalogue. These are indeed works of art, whether they were hand crafted like the Fred Young lures or mass produced. People like Russell are an integral part of the story, with the knowledge and passion to relay it to the public. This stuff is a part of Americana, a part of not just fishing history but of the history of the country as well, because whatever it was that drove guys like Fred Young, Tom Mann, Fred Arbogast and many others to create and market their creations could only really happen to such an extent in America (it did occur in other countries like Canada and Sweden but it really exploded in America).
That gentleman is not only a true collector and is a historian. I could only imagine the knowledge that gentleman has. To know all the variations and product codes , dates , colors etc only comes with experience. You can tell he’s not a bottom feeder with his collection and strives for the best. He has such a advanced collection it is unreal and he definitely has deep pockets. Very well spoken you can tell he’s not just some self appointed authority on Lures. Viewers should take note this gentleman is a true collector and definitely in the upper tier of collectors.
That's an incredible collection...Fred Young did indeed change crankbait fishing .
In 1969, in Madisonville, Ky I started a crankbait manufacturing company called Creative Lure ..
I based my design off Mr Youngs baits. My lure was called " The Gyro"..
Would love to hear more, George! Send me. Message on Facebook.
OMG!!! I would have loved to get that up close and personal with than collection like you had the opportunity to do, wow. And even the prices he had listed, I assume they were for sale, we’re better than I have ever seen, and better quality to boot. Any info on how to get in touch with Russel? Do you have more up close footage by chance you took of the baits, would love to see more, and I know you were keeping your camera on Russel while he was talking about the baits, but would have been great to zoom in on each bait he was explaining at the time to. I have got to get to some of these shows, thanks Retro.
Been fishing for 55 years and this is the only fishing channel I ever subscribed to. Take that as a major compliment. Your channel is awesome❤
Thanks too cool, Eddie! Thanks for tuning in!!
I have had quite a few over the years and lost them or wore them out but have also found one or two in a tree fishing the river
Took my breath away!! Thank-you beyond belief. You truly know how to show old lures so much I am joining the NFLCC. Again, wonderful, and keep safe, Jim.
I recently joined and totally worth it!
I know more about crank baits than I probably should now
That display lure Big Big O is friggin awesome
I’m not a collector but I’ve really enjoyed this entire series. I’ll admit I don’t fish it old school however I love the videos you make. I look forward to the Saturday video drop. It kinda brightens my day. These people you’ve interviewed on this series are very knowledgeable and I love to learn about older fishing lures and learn about why they made them and how they even came up with the design. That guys Fred Young display was amazing. Thanks for bringing us along for your trip I’m sure I speak for everyone when I say we really appreciate the time you put into these videos.
Always amazed about how your videos make me reflect on my life and the fact that no one's even going to remember me when I'm gone
What an awesome collection. Beauties.
Russel's Tennessee made crank collection is totally singular
That is a great collection. Thanks for the video. I am going to have to go to a future collectible lure show. I was 14 when I first read about the Fred Young Big O in Bassmaster. I live in Alabama and East Tennessee seemed a million miles away at the time. I always wanted one of his baits, but did not know how to get one. I can’t believe how well preserved these baits are. I was able to purchase Bagley Balsa B cranks. I believe they could be bought for $5.00 in 1975. These were production similar. You had to be real careful not to “over cast” your bait on to a rocky shore. The paint would crack or break the body if you hit a rock.
Sweet video
This is a great video u know those baits at around 5:24 on the bottom left look very similar to an JDM osp bait called the blitz magnum SR and they have a very similar profile and shape. I wonder if thats where they got there idea from. Cause a lot of these jdm companies love the US lure history and always bringing back older baits that not many people know about so most people would think they're a new design.
I would love for there to be a tackle museum with displays like that in it. One day, maybe. I know B.A.S.S. has a museum, but I don't think it has anything of the caliber of some the displays you showed us from the NFLCC show.
Bought my Mr. Fred from him last January. Great collection!
So many of those lures I have used in the past. Sure wish I would have kept some of those.
More history and anecdotes make for another interesting episode.
Absolutely love your content! Nobody does it like retro!
I have a plastic Cordell Big O 8100 painted by Fred Young...bait came out of Oak Ridge...pretty rare bait
You just keep them coming Well done
Man I'd love to talk to the guy with the Tennessee Shad and Big O collection, hopefully will run into him at the Pigeon Forge show in January. I was born, raised, and currently live in east Tennessee close to where some awesome crankbaits came from. I have several Tennessee Shad but not Big Os and looking at the price I won't own many if ever. The Big O auctions signs would be really cool to have, I'm sure they're worth a few thousand. Thanks for sharing these videos, love the history.
That yellow tint gives all the paint schemes a more “natural” pop.
In Scotland in the 70s the only baits like this we could access were ABU and Shakespeare. But they got it done
Keep up the great work ++
Wow just watching this video ive noticed, I too had a fred young top water lure. When i first moved into this house (rental) the landlord left a whole bunch of old vintage stuff buried in the garage, Including a jitterbug crankbait (which i stupidly fished and lost) and a fred young topwater like the bottom left lure in the picture at 17:27 which i should have buried or laying around somewhere.
Thanks for the info!
Id love to have some big-o's. I have 7 Tn shads, 6 still in the original package. I also have a Zell Rowland Zara spook in the package.
Do you have to be a member to go to one of these conventions?
Definitely would of bought that signed and numbered Big O for $200...be my 3rd
Fred C. Young episode No.37 Big-O-4-Pete-Sake
I wish my grandpa was a Genius like Fred don’t get me wrong my grandpa was smart too