Just a question for the Lure Makers out there, do you have a successor lined up? Or will the Business Die with you. I think that’s what happened to Buffalo Creek Lures, it was sad to see them go.

At this time I have no successor.

I do have some of Dave's stuff. I can make his Cherry Red, Grizzly King, Fall Fury, the Hawk series, Cold River Call, Red River Call, Southern Nights, K-9 Elixir, Ultesian, Otter Oil, Certified Mink Seed, Ultesian, Autumn Haze, All Call, Muscaro Musk, etc.

However, I won't put any of it on the market because his daughter doesn't want it to continue.

I always had very good luck with his lures. They were always top quality. It's nice that you respect his families wishes.

I can't imaging any reason why Dave's Daughter would care if the line continued. I'm curious Paul! Ace

Asa, she said that Dave told her some time ago that when he died, Buffalo Creek would die with him. So, that's what she's going by. He didn't have that attitude the last few years that I knew him.

Asa, Do you have anyone lined up? The Lenon's line of lures would be a great loss.

I have always considered purchasing someones line of lures and baits. The selfish attitude of letting the product die with them is just that, selfish. Trapping, the history of trapping, and the traditions of trapping are bigger than any one of us. To take something that has meant so much to you, and not pass it on for generations of trappers to come is about the worst thing a man could do. At the same time, I can also understand the dedication and extreme care that one takes when formulating his passion and the desire for the next generation not to ruin it. This still should not be a final deterrant.

I wouldn't feel comfortable selling or passing on Lenon lures to anyone who wasn't already a lure maker who had pride in their work and at least a basic working knowledge of formulating and ageing lures. I have a feeling that is what Dave meant, that he didn't want to go through training a successor who was just looking for a dollar, not passing it on to someone like Paul that could follow his procedures with care and understanding. The Daughter obviously took Dave's statement literally. Ace

So you do not have a successor Asa?

A.J. asked....So you do not have a successor Asa?

Correct but i'm never leaving this earth, LOL! Ace

If we like a particular lure from a maker, what is the shelf life and should we stock certain lures for the future? Steve

Good post Asa. I would hope most lure makers (or any producer of such a "specialized" product) would agree with this. Too many things anymore are bought up and produced for the almighty buck, with little thought given to the actual product.

The very thought of Asa leaving this earth and we haven't even met.

Hey Ace, I had a litter of young coyotes in the back yard trying to chew the lid off of a 30 gallon barrel catfish oil last night. Didn't have time to get dressed just took out the door naked with a flashlight...somethin' must have scared 'em!

The coyotes attempting to get into the fish oil is a good example Lt Grey in the differences in coyote behavior from region to region. Over my liftime I have had more bear than I can count trying to break into my lure making building, a number of bobcats sitting on the steps examining the building and sniffing around the door cracks, fox circleing the building and making scent posts on the corner blocks, timber wolves looking the building over, fishers and coon trying dig in from underneath BUT never once did I ever see a coyote or coyote tracks in the snow close to the building. I've seen them out 75 yards or so traipsing back and forth, making wide circles way out from the building, standing on their hind legs in the weeds looking the place over from 75 yards, etc. It is just too unnatural and overwhelming in odor for a suspicious coyote in this area I guess. Ace

i would like to set all over your shed ace!....and i would mind carrying your gift if you wouldn't come down and teach me..... but first i have to learn to catch the critters

hmmmmm ... i have the want, will, desire and passion ... so i'll make ya a deal ... how bout a cal ripken jr rookie card and a couple semi rusty #1 long springs??? to sweeten the deal i'll even throw in a couple hava-a-heart cage traps that only need a lil tlc to get'em workin ... let me be your grasshopper lol

so how bout it ???

Asa, i'll offer you the same, but the commute to up your way would be heck

I suppose my business will also die with me for all the stated reasons.I would like to think it would be nice to continue ones heritage and years of hard work. I have pondered the thought often in the last few years as to what I will finally decide to do. There is no interest in my family to carry on the tradition.

It is not any easy task putting on the shoes of a formulator. Some things aren't too difficult to teach but so much more has become instinctual that it would take several seasons of hands on work with someone and emulating after them,then another few years of support when someone actually begins doing it all on their own for the first time.

Time will tell I suppose as to what we all will ultimately do.

There is a older lure maker on here that no longer makes his product. And his stuff was and is TOP OF THE LINE. I have caught hundreds of fox with is lures. I have asked him many times if he was interested in selling his formula's and he always says no. I too think that his lures will be lost. It's a real shame to see someone's life work disappear.

I have one question for the lure-makers.

Where would we be if Sewell Newhouse or Frank Conibear had decided to take the secrets of their life's work to the grave?

Please, do not rob the next generation of trappers of the knowledge you have attained after decades of meticulous work.

"Luke, when gone am I, the last of the Jedi will you be."

Don't pull a Yoda on us please.

Mike

I think that lure formulators and respective successors are truely missing out if it is a laundry list and how to make it is what is being passed on. Parden me gentlemen, but in the scope of knowledge that can be passed on a list of ingredients and how and when to mix them is of little importance without the knowledge of how to derive at such a list of ingredients in the first place.

If Paul, Asa, or Bob or a dozen others were to offer me their ingredient list and how to make them I would be excited to say the least. But in all fairness that is not what is needed in my opinion to be carried on. What in my opinion would be more valuable would be to learn what has not worked, what ilicits certan responses and why. I guess what I am trying to say is that it would be much more important to learn how to be a formulator then to learn a list of ingredients. Maybe a successor could carry on a certain product for nestalgic purposes, like a pet or favorite one in remembrabce of the teacher so to speak, but move the industry forward with a line developed with the knowledge gained of formulation.

Would I like to know what dropped out of Asa's sandwich that became a secret ingredient of his muskrat lure... sure. Would I like to know what makes Backbreaker different then a long list of beaver lures...sure. Would I like to know what makes Peaches and Cream smell better then grandma's cooking...sure. But we would all be better off if I learned the how to of formulation instead. Because only in that manner can the student carry on once the teacher is no longer available for questions.