ELLSWORTH – “I was hooked,” said Christopher Slusar when describing the childhood fishing trips that sparked a lifelong passion for angling—and ultimately led to his landmark book on Wisconsin fishing tackle history. The Ellsworth Public Library invites the community to meet Slusar at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 11 for a special presentation on early Wisconsin fishing lures. No registration is required.

Slusar is the author of “Early Wisconsin Fishing Lures, Hooks, and Harnesses: An Illustrated History of Wisconsin Fishing Lures and Their Makers,” a comprehensive, richly illustrated volume documenting Wisconsin’s vibrant fishing tackle history. Featuring more than 2,000 photographs and images, the book covers hundreds of Wisconsin lure, hook, and harness makers and serves as both an identification guide and historical record. It is considered a must-have resource for collectors and anyone interested in the state’s rich angling heritage.

A Milwaukee native, Slusar’s love of fishing began during childhood trips to Lauderdale Lakes and deepened after a memorable musky fishing excursion to the Chippewa Flowage near Hayward with his uncle. That experience not only cemented his enthusiasm for fishing but also ignited a fascination with the craftsmanship and stories behind the lures themselves. By the mid-1980s, his growing collection filled walls and tackle boxes alike. In 1986, he joined the National Fishing Lure Collectors Club (NFLCC) and later became a life member.

Over the past 25 years, Slusar has written extensively on fishing tackle history, with articles published in the NFLCC Gazette, Hunting and Fishing Collectibles Magazine, the Old Reel Collectors Association magazine, and the National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame newsletter. He also contributed to a Wisconsin public television special on the history of fly-fishing in Stevens Point and has hosted or co-hosted one of the nation’s largest antique and collectible fishing tackle shows for nearly two decades.

During the April 11 program, Slusar will share how his personal journey as an angler and collector led him to write his book, explore Wisconsin’s early production lure history—from the mid-19th century through about 1960—and highlight the ingenuity of the state’s tackle makers. Attendees will enjoy engaging stories, historic photographs, and examples from his personal collection.

Participants are also encouraged to bring fishing lures for possible identification, historical background, and informal appraisal.

Wisconsin has long been considered a fisherman’s paradise, with thousands of lakes offering abundant angling opportunities. The inventive spirit of its residents led to the design, manufacture, and marketing of a remarkable variety of lures, hooks, and harnesses—an enduring legacy Slusar brings to life through his research and presentation.

This free program is open to the public. For more information, please contact the Ellsworth Public Library.

Submitted by Ellsworth Public Library