Fishing Lure Collectibles

Authors

    As a child growing up in a family of fishermen it was only natural for Dudley Murphy to develop a healthy interest in fishing. His father, Dudley C. Murphy, Sr., manufactured one of the early vibrating lures of the 1950's - Murph's Irish Shad - and his grandfather, Dudley A. Murphy was a conductor on the L&N railroad who whittled fine examples of folk art which often included fishing lures. But it was his grandfather, Frank D. Royce, who presented him with a gift of old Heddon, Jamison, and Clark lures that led Dudley to become a lifelong collector at age 13. As one of the original three founders of the National Fishing Lure Collector's Club, Dudley is an active collector with a variety of interests, including fishing.

    Currently an artist teaching Graphic Design and directing the Visual Communication program at Drury College in Springfield, Missouri, Dudley designs and edits the NFLCC MAGAZINE and pursues a secondary career as a talented songwriter and band member with the popular bluegrass music group, Radio Flyer.

    Dudley, his wife Deanie and their two children, Quinn and Jennifer, enjoy life in the beautiful Missouri Ozarks.

    Born in California, Rick Edmisten was introduced to fishing at age 12 by his father. By the time he was 18, he had developed a keen interest in collecting lures and old tackle. After viewing the Heddon Company's traveling display of antique lures in 1979, Rick began to collect lures seriously, haunting antique shops and flea markets in addition to advertising in newspapers and displaying at sportsman's shows and tackle shops. 

    For the last 10 years Rick has hosted a very successful fishing tackle collectible show in North Hollywood, California, and can frequently be found on the telephone in search of old lures via his network of collectors. In November on 1989 Rick was invited to tape a segment of the nationally aired television program "Missing Reward" which proved to be one of the most popular episodes in the series. 

    Recognized as an authority on old tackle, Rick is often asked to appraise estates and collections. He hopes to someday open a museum of old fishing tackle. 

    Rick continues a proud 85-year-old California family real estate tradition with his wife Diane and children Gable, Jim, and Krista, and their beloved golden retriever Winchester