2008 NFLCC National Show
Peoria, Illinois
July 10-12, 2008


This is the fourth year the National show has been held in Peoria, Illinois.  There were over 500 tables at the show.  The Pere Marquette Hotel was full with many also staying at the Holiday Inn nearby.  In room trading started as early as Monday and picked up pace during the week.  There were approximately 130+ rooms open at various times during in-room trading!   Show set-up started at 7:30 a.m. on Thursday.  The show room floor was full of nice tackle and collectibles and there were a number of interesting displays this year.  The annual meeting was held Friday morning at 8:30 a.m.   Bylaws and Standing Rules revisions are still underway and should be ready to be presented by next year's meeting. 

Membership of the club is around 4,200 members.  Growth of the club is important.  There are ways we can all continue to grow membership in the club.  This can be as simple as including a membership application form with any lures sold to non-members or sponsoring a new member for the first year.  If each of us sponsored just one new member, our club would double in size in no time.  We are considering some new and innovative ideas to increase membership at the Rochester, Minnesota show.  This includes a drawing for a club lure or door prize for anyone becoming a member on the day of the show, announcements about the club right after the public comes into the show, etc.   If you have other suggestions, please send them to me.

A very special thank you to show hosts Gary and Joye Baze, Dean Karouzos, and Virgil and Gerrilynne Hester and the many volunteers that make this annual event so enjoyable. 

One of the best aspects of going to a National show is seeing friends, meeting new people and exchanging information about the history of antique fishing tackle.   On the way home from the show this year, we took a different route that passed through Maquoketa, Iowa.  What's in Maquoketa, Iowa you ask?    In 1947, the Fishing Tackle Company of America was founded as a South Bend affiliate.  South Bend contracted with G.L. Stockham and Son of Maquoketa to build the 20,000 square foot plant at 510 East Grove in Maquoketa, Iowa, to produce South Bend lures, including the Obite baits.  The facility is now occupied by WADY Industries.   The distinctive outline of the building is still the same, with some additions and landscaping.   Here are the "then and now" photos. 
 

Maquoketa, Iowa plant in 1947 Maquoketa, Iowa plan in 2008 (now occupied by WADY Industries)

Below are some pictures from the National show.  Enjoy!

 

Show floor action (over 500 tables) Show floor action Selling and talking tackle Show floor action
Show room floor A Big Foot sighting! Ted Bingham with his new reel book (available from the author at  edwardvomhofe.com) Arbogast Display
Bill Kingsley display of Jacob Hansen Minnows, Boxes and Paperwork Jacob Hansen Display Jacob Hansen Display Large Jitterbug Display
John Collen's Pikie Display Pikie Display Pikie Display Barb and John Collen (Region 6 VP)
Arlan Carter's Pflueger and Early Metal Display Pflueger and Early Metal Display Pflueger and Early Metal Display Pflueger and Early Metal Display
Pflueger and Early Metal Display Pflueger and Early Metal Display Bob Guist Best Topical Display for Phantom Devon & Minnows Bob Guist Best Topical Display for Phantom Devon & Minnows
Bob Guist Best Topical Display for Phantom Devon & Minnows Bob Guist Best Topical Display for Phantom Devon & Minnows Bob Guist Best Topical Display for Phantom Devon & Minnows Bob Guist Best Topical Display for Phantom Devon & Minnows
Gordy's Decoy Display Gordy's Decoy Display Gordy's Decoy Display Gordy talking decoys with a fellow collector
Gordy's Decoy Display Pico Display Pico Display Pico Display
Pico Display McHarg Display McHarg Display McHarg Display
McHarg Display Steve Knight's McHarg Display Frog Display Heddon Hi-Tail Display
Best of Show Darter Display Best of Show Darter Display Best of Show Darter Display Best of Show Darter Display
Best of Show Darter Display Best of Show Darter Display Best of Show Darter Display Best of Show Darter Display
Best of Show Darter Display Best of Show Darter Display Best of Show Darter Display Best of Show Darter Display
Fishing Tackle Display Al Foss Display Dick Wilson's Kent Frogs Dick Wilson's Pardee Minnow Display
Dick Wilson's Mice Display Dick Wilson with his Displays Show floor action Show floor action
Dennis Mac's P&K Display Dennis Mac's P&K Display Dennis's P&K Display John Collen giving a seminar on "How to Host a Regional Show"
Dave Hoover's Tackle Boxes Dave Hoover with his tackle boxes Junior Display Awards Rochester show host Marie Munson with "Best One Day Show" winner Tom Schofield (Wisconsin Dells) and "Best Region" winner John Collen (Region 6)
John Collen being interviewed at the show by a local Fox affiliate reporter Show floor action Dick Streater waiving "Hi" from the floor Show floor action

 

All photos and content copyright 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008  Marie R. Munson.  Please contact me at bbroreno@aol.com for permission to use any and all photos or content on this web site.   Links  to southbendcollector.com are welcomed.