Revitalization of a wonderful "oldtime" lure

[Sk8man]

Elmer Hinckley spoons have been around for over a hundred years. They originated in Naples New York at the south end of Canandaigua Lake and were used along with Sutton's historically right until the present. A fellow by the name of Pete D'Urso from downstate New York fairly recently acquired the company and has "revitalized" these classic spoons and they have been successfully used in various places from local lakes, reserviors and the Great Lakes. His website is something to behold regardless of whether spoons are purchased or not. https://elmerhinckley.com/

Luckily, I have a few of the older versions that are now collectors pieces. These new versions from the old dies look great. Pete is one our own LOU guys by the way.

Edited January 12, 2023 by Sk8man

[Gill-T]

Beautiful spoons Les!  Are these lightweight blanks?

[Frogger]

Thanks for sharing Les, wish I had some of those originals….. I do think I has some from the later versions with that unmistakable bent lip on the tail end. 

[Sk8man]

Gill-T yes the flutters are similar to Sutton's in weight. He gives all the dimensions and thicknesses on the website. My grandfather used to use them along with Suttons's and the old Geneva and GT spoons on Seneca around 1910 or so.

[Sk8man]

Mike you probably bought some when they first came out in the 1800's and Mike C must have driven you there in a horse and buggy

[signalman]

I think i have some spoon,s that look like that, a friend give e a old tackle box from Dresden with a lot of old flutter spoon,s in it,and a juke box that work,s well.

[Hillside]

These are the only ones I have left

 

666,     W,     DS

 

Time to get a couple of another model I like.

[Sk8man]

Cool John yeah these new ones and plating look really good.

Edited January 13, 2023 by Sk8man

[Hillside]

I agree with you Sk8man, the plating is the key.  We can always bend the spoon a bit for the action we want.

[pdpiper]

Les, Thanks for the shout out.  I've spent the past couple years trying to aquire the dies, and bring these back.  I must say the plating is top notch, and we offer silver, 24k gold, and copper.

Pete

[Sk8man]

You have done a great job of bringing those spoons back Pete and I know a lot of Finger Lakes folks will be happy once they start using them.  Unlike a lot of today's spoons these were designed right on the Finger Lakes and that plating can make a big difference as they can be seen for greater distances under water.

[darryl choronzey]

some of those spoons even look like old Millers

[Sk8man]

They were being used many many years before Bernie K. the maker of Millers was even born Millers were great spoons too.

[darryl choronzey]

I know thaT, but Bernie bought the company from someone as well...and the old Millers go back.

just for interest     https://www.hemlockandcanadicelakes.com/hcl_business_springwater_miller_lure_company.htm

 

 

Edited January 16, 2023 by darryl choronzey

[pdpiper]

From my research  I think Miller started in 1920 or so,.  Another great spoon without a doubt, with common sizes as other manufactures.   What I'm finding with Hinckley's is the cup is deeper than Sutton, Miller or Pine Valley giving it a little more action.  When they moved out of the finger lakes, and NY they were forgotten about, but never really fell out of production.  

[Sk8man]

Darryl - I knew Bernie wasn't the designer of the spoons but I didn't know the previous history. thanks for the link....very interesting. I used to talk with Bernie during the old Seneca Lake Derby when he was chartering and he actually won it one year.

[Andre wallyandre]

On 1/14/2023 at 1:15 PM, pdpiper said:

Les, Thanks for the shout out.  I've spent the past couple years trying to aquire the dies, and bring these back.  I must say the plating is top notch, and we offer silver, 24k gold, and copper.

Pete

When the daughter start selling the famous Surton I bought quite a lot but unfortunately the plating didn't last; after a few times in the water they become kind of black and when I contact them regarding this problem they told me that they are aware of the problem and they say it's because there is a product that they were not able to use because it was unauthorized by the EPA. 

[darryl choronzey]

On 1/16/2023 at 5:56 PM, Sk8man said:

Darryl - I knew Bernie wasn't the designer of the spoons but I didn't know the previous history. thanks for the link....very interesting. I used to talk with Bernie during the old Seneca Lake Derby when he was chartering and he actually won it one year.

He was one of a kind. Met him the first year Lake Ontario's fish returned, but actually in Michigan and we bonded real well and became close friends until he passed. Quite the fisherman..No one could say he didn't get excited though lol.

 

[Fishstix]

Received my silver copper hammered 35's today. They look great . Come on spring.

[Sk8man]

Yes Stan mine are going to get a real good workout as soon as I can get the boat out of storage and especially during the derby.

He nickel plates the before the gold or silver plating so these are really sturdy spoons with a great finish. The black nickel ones save me from painting spoons black too

https://elmerhinckley.com

 

Edited February 12, 2023 by Sk8man

[Hop]

Don't be coming back to old school me now old salt. I  don't like being crowded 🤣

[Sk8man]

[Fishstix]

Maybe we will find out what those big hooks are 50 down.

[Sk8man]

Lets hope so Stan It would be nice to get some to hit A lot of new stuff to try anyway