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Tennessee native Thompson was the inventor of some enduring lures, especially the Doll Fly, a jig that local outdoor writer Bob Hodge notes became the cornerstone of a company that was "at one time, believed to make more artificial baits a day than any other bait manufacturer. Unless you fished by yourself with only hooks and a worm, you knew what a Doll Fly was." Apparently at its height the firm made 75,000 lures per day--a staggering 27.5 million per year.
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Interesting piece of fishing history.
They were unique as they were made with polar bear hair. I fished some that I had found and the action was very different and didn't lay flat like many others do. When Polar bear became regulated his permit was granted because his business depended on it. If I remember this right when he died the permit expired.
They are really touchy about Polar Bear and the only place I found any was expensive as it has to be tracked from what bear it came from and they don't play! A guy came on here a few years ago and some were lucky enough to get some pretty cheap, but I suspect some funny business there. I tried to buy some from the guy, but he just kept putting me off for what ever reason, but I have some and lots of colors and yes I paid up for it. Now that I am slowing my tying for others I will make my self some nice Polar Bear Roadrunners and jigs to use. My best piece was given to me by a friend that is a real pro. Very nice of him to give me that piece of natural Polar Bear!
Also know once you have seen Polar Bear you will not mistake anything else for it. It's also a natural Florescent hair!
Its a shame the picture of the Doll-Fly is not more clear so we all can see what it looks like!
I used many of the Doll Flies when I was young, loved to fish with them as I always seemed to catch more fish than my other friends until they got some to :).
Thanks for sharing the info.
Used a bunch when I was a kid - my Uncle always seemed to come up with a bunch. Pre-CITES polar bear can be found but like Skip said it's expensive and sometimes the hide part is rough but the hair is still good. Like Skip said once you've seen it you'll never mistake anything else for it.
Here's an original one
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/c...s/100_2764.jpg
And a bunch I did with the some of it that I've bought
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/c...s/100_2860.jpg
Fatman, Do you know where I can purchase the jigheads?
Original style heads no clue! The ones I did are on 1/32nd ball head no collar I poured myself.
A walleye head was close. As best I remember it was a tapered ball head. I've never seen them anywhere else either.
Those are some great looking jigs.