OTHER FISH TO FRY: Charles R. Harris

SMITH-Dort/Winsor-Secord/HARRIS

Charles R. Harris (1848-1922) 1^st Cousin, 5x

Harris Frog Lure circa 1897

In researching the family of our GloverSmith 4th Great Grandmother, LYDIA HARRIS SECORD, we continue to find interesting discoveries: from her 2nd cousin “Pioneer Yooper” LUCENA (Harris) Brockway, to her “Bell-Ringing” niece LYDIA Pitts (Harris) Peak and, here, a look at her “Inventor” nephew CHARLES R. HARRIS.

 
Although there is a bit of a biographical trail to be followed online if you are interested in knowing more of his life story, the thing you might find most interesting about cousin Charles is that he invented fishing lures. Not just any fishing lures …he is best known for his “Harris Frog.”  

Patented in 1897, this turn-of-the-century tackle box staple was perhaps his best-recognized contribution to the sport of freshwater fishing. Even today, his antique lures are valued by collectors and traders, some fetching anywhere between $500 to over $1,000. As one collector explains:

“Charles R. Harris is most noted for his 1897 patented Floating Cork Frog. This frog is found in two variations and sizes. All display attached belly hooks as well as belly hung lead weights at times. They are beautiful works of art and all display the hat pin eyes as are also associated with the very few and very rare Heddon hand carved frogs. Maybe there is a connection, as it is said that Harris was a personal friend and a fishing partner of James Heddon. Also of great importance is the Manistee Minnow which he made in Manistee, Michigan. He is known to have produced a few other lures known as the Featherbone Minnow, the Bullet Bait (made from an actual shell cartridge), and a Rotary Head Globe type bait. All of his fishing lures are considered rare and are very highly prized among antique fishing lure collectors.”  (Randy Nelson) 

C. R. Harris marketed his popular surface bait “Manistee Minnow” with a box top testimonial: “The most successful bait for large and small mouth bass manufactured for both day and night fishing” and the catchy slogan: “The darker the night – The better they bite.”

Quote from:

http://www.randysantiquefishinglures.com/misc-lure-companies-page-2.html 

Photo courtesy of Randy Nelson