Al Foss & True Temper Fishing Lures

Al Foss
Cleveland, Ohio

History

Lures

Blades

Al Foss & True Temper Miscellaneous Items

Noteworthy among the items below are the Al Foss reel, the Al Foss Pork Rind Bait, and the Al Foss Bucktail Streamers. Like many of his lures, Al Foss used his own ideas to design a high quality reel that was Easy to use. Rather than a simple accessory, Pork Rind was a fundamental part of the product line, since baits were designed specifically for these trailers. Al Foss Pork Rind was advertised and sold alongside the lures.

In 1919 Al Foss added coloful bucktail streamers to his Pork Rind Baits. An extra plain hook was also packed with each bucktail bait.

Six to eight different lures can be made out of each of the bucktail baits by the use of Al Foss Pork Rind Strips with the bucktail and plain hook.

Click on the thumbnail pictures below to see a larger image

Al Foss 3-25 Easy Control Casting Reel The Al Foss 3-25 Easy Control Casting Reel was introduced in 1925. It is sometimes found with a cork arbor that bears a colorful Al Foss logo. The Kentucky style reel was made of the highest quality. I never get a backlash - every cast was perfect - it is simply uncanny. The nature of this snarl-proof casting reel was due in large measure to a centrifugal governor patented by Foss in 1926. He described his invention as a simple centrifugal device revolving within the reel arbor -- a little policeman who raises his hand at the proper moment and stops a snarl from stepping in. It should be noted that Al Foss did not manufacture his own reel. To this day, opinions differ as to who actually made the reel for him.

Al Foss Pork Rind Bait Foss' PORK RIND BAIT Made Expressly For The FOSS LURES Put Up By AL FOSS, CLEVELAND, O. was introduced alongside the first Al Foss lure in 1916. Al Foss was the originator of split pork rind strips for fishing purposes, and the first to place pork rind strips on the market. First to split pork skins for fishing purposes. First to market pork rind strips. In the 1920's Charles Schlipp headed up the pork rind division of Al Foss, and was responsible for designing pork rind cuts. The first Al Foss pork rinds were made wet and shipped in jars like the ones seen below. In the 1930's they were also made dry and packed in a metal box which is easily slipped into the pocket for a day's sport on lake or stream. Pork rinds were made in five different styles under the original Al Foss formula which has never been equalled. Its keeping qualities have made it famous everywhere as it will not spoil. A new Salt Water Pork Rind was introduced around 1937. It was made in two larger sizes for ocean trolling and was only available packed in dry form only in metal boxes, 3 strips to each box. The preparation of Al Foss Pork Rind Strip is an interesting process. If we were producing an edible food product for your table under government inspection, we could not use greater care in the selection of materials and the packing and preservation.

Al Foss Pork Rind Bait A very early label style for Foss' Pork Rind Bait made expressly for the FOSS PORK RIND MINNOWS. Made by Al Foss, Cleveland, O. Price 35 Cents

Al Foss Pork Rind Bait A very early label style for Foss' Pork Rind Bait made expressly for the FOSS PORK RIND MINNOWS. Made by Al Foss, Cleveland, O. Price 45 Cents

Al Foss Fly Spinner Bait Manufactured by Al Foss, Cleveland, Ohio

Al Foss Pork Rind for Musky Manufactured by Al Foss, Cleveland, Ohio Price 45¢

Al Foss Pork Rind for Bass Manufactured by The American Fork & Hoe Co., Geneva, Ohio

New Side Stepper Pork Rind Used Sideways or Flat. Manufactured by The American Fork & Hoe Co.

New Frog Pork Rind This pork cut was advertised as new in the 1932 catalog. The Pork Rind With The Wicked Wiggle. CanNot Foul The Hook. Manufactured by The American Fork & Hoe Co.

Al Foss Pork Rind Strip Bass size. The American Fork & Hoe Co., Geneva, Ohio

Al Foss Pork Rind Strip Fly size. True Temper Corporation, Geneva, Ohio

The Original Al Foss Pork Rind Strip Fly size. True Temper Corporation, Geneva, Ohio

The Original Al Foss Pork Rind Strip Bass size. True Temper Corporation, Geneva, Ohio

Point of sale card for True Temper Flitter Fly This stand-up point of sale card held assorted sizes of the True Temper Flitter Fly lures. It was made by The American Fork & Hoe Company

Point of Sale Card for Al Foss Shimmy Wiggler This stand-up point of sale card was used for the Al Foss Shimmy Wiggler made by True Temper.

Point of Sale Card for True Temper Bass Pop This stand-up point of sale card was used for the True Temper #31 Bass Pop. It held six lures. This particular card has never been loaded with baits.

Point of Sale Card for Al Foss Shimmy Wiggler This stand-up point of sale card was made for the Original, Authentic Al Foss Shimmy Wiggler manufactured by Weber Tackle Company, of Stevens Point, Wisconsin. Weber began producing The Shimmy Wiggler in 1968.

Specialty Spreader Hook Al Foss described the purpose of this hook attachment when he applied for a patent in 1920: The primary object of the present invention is to provide means associated with such lure which will hold the (bucktail or feather) fibers so they will not become bunched and will be held so they will be spread while the bait is being drawn through the water. The invention was little more than a small, triangular metal plate attached to a hook. Foss described a plate or strip of metal which is provided with tongues which are folded around the shank to secure the holder thereon and the body of the plate is usually further secured to the body by solder. Al Foss received a patent for his specialty spreader hook in 1922.

Al Foss Colored Bucktail Streamers and Flys Replacement colored bucktail streamers and flys were sold in cellophane packs and were available in a variety of colors and patterns.

True Temper Weed Guard Al Foss knew well that game fish are usually found among weeds and other rather inaccessible places, but his lures were made without weed guards, as he did not believe they were necessary. The spinners of Al Foss Baits are designed to cut a path through the weeds making a clear path for the hook, which is further protected by the bucktail. First lure to successfully operate in weeds, yet having no guard to ward off strike. In later years, True Temper made weed guards available on several baits. The weed guard they often used was designed by Louis Adam of Ponca City, Oklahoma. Adam's patent was assigned to American Fork & Hoe in 1942. Among the True Temper lures often found with the weed guard are the Hell Cat and the Bass Pop, both of which were also designed and patented by Louis "Pop" Adam. The weed guard also fit earlier lures such as the Shimmy Wiggler, as shown in the weed guard patent drawing.

True Temper Rod Tester Made of hard rubber, the 5/8oz. True Temper Rod Tester was attached to fishing rod tip to simulate the feel of the rod under actual fishing conditions. Made by True Temper Corporation, Sporting Goods Division, Geneva, Ohio

True Temper Young Americans Fishing Club Patch True Temper offered this colorful patch as a promotional item in their 1970 advertising. Anyone who bought True Temper rod/reel combinations would receive this free membership emblem. A 1970 ad in Boy's Life Magazine read Your colorful pocket/sleeve cloth emblem shows everyone you're a member of the Young American's Fishing Club. And that you use the best tackle around. The emblem comes FREE with True Temper spin casting rod/reel combinations that take the guesswork out of matching the right rod with the right reel. Eleven great combination outfits to choose from, priced right. Look for TT combination packs with FREE emblem at your favorite store.