Most fishermen have a few old lures laying around somewhere - maybe in the garage, a junk drawer or stowed away in a seldom-used tackle box. A recent sporting goods auction in Massachusetts may have anglers digging out those old lures.

A South Carolina man recently paid $101,200 for a very special lure. His winning bid set a world record for the highest price paid for a fishing collectible at a public auction. The coveted lure was a rare 10-inch copper Haskell Minnow, made in the 1850s by Riley Haskell, an Ohio gunsmith.

“It’s a very unusual lure. The estimated price before the auction was only around $35,000. The fact that it went for nearly triple that just shows the market that is out there for antique fishing equipment,” said Karl White.

White ought to know. He is one of the world’s preeminent experts on collectable fishing tackle. In fact, just a portion of his collection fills up an entire museum.

The Karl and Beverly White National Fishing Tackle Museum houses an historic collection of over 20,000 antique lures and tackle pieces. The $4 million dollar collection is one of the most complete and comprehensive collections of vintage fishing gear in existence.

The museum is located at the Oklahoma Aquarium in Jenks. The facility features 200 exhibits, including a 400,000-gallon shark tank. The facility also showcases many of Oklahoma's native fish species, including the current state record channel and blue catfish.

Not only can visitors see both the museum and the aquarium on the same visit, they can also bring in their old lures in for appraisal by Karl White himself on the last Saturday of each month.

“I really look forward to visiting with people and seeing the things they bring in, White said. “You never know one of your old lures might really be worth something.”

The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation has a working relationship with the Oklahoma Aquarium and the Department’s Tulsa-area offices are located at the Aquarium complex.

“We encourage everyone who comes by the Aquarium to stop in and see us,” said Colin Berg, education supervisor for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. “Visitors can stop in and pick up a Fishing Guide, buy a fishing license or find out about other Department services.”

For more information about the Oklahoma Aquarium call (918) 296-FISH (3474), or go to their Web site at http://okaquarium.org/ or check out the Department's Web site at http://wildlifedepartment.com/aquarium.htm. 

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