"CreekSpeak"
Updated: December 8, 2005

CCBCo FLY ROD LURES

Creek Chub Bait Co. introduced a new line of fly rod lures in 1922 (previously thought to be 1924). They originally decided to number these tiny baits within the regular line of larger lures designed for bait casting rods/reels. A 7/8" Fly Rod Bug (Trout) Wiggler was assigned the #1000 series while the slightly larger 1 1/4" Bug (Bass) Wiggler became the #1100 series. Two sizes of Fly Rod Pikies were also offered in the #1200 & #1300 series. These four series were NOT designated with an "F" prefix before the series number (e.g. #1000, not #F1000).

By 1924 Creek Chub added a few more fly rod lures plus some nondescript flies. They also adopted a new numbering system exclusively for fly rod baits. They began with F1 & added new F series numbers as additional designs were developed. Eventually some of the new numbers duplicated other Creek Chub series. This could have easily caused some confusion when ordering if not for the "F" prefix. For example, a #100 bait casting lure is a Wiggler in Chub finish whereas #F100 is a Fly Rod Pop-It in Chub.

The following group represents the entire line of early catalog fly rod lures offered by CCBCo. It includes the four series offered before Creek Chub added the F prefix. Altogether this company produced 77 different catalog fly rod lures/colors from 1922 until the 1950's.

NOTE: This total excludes the generic flies offered by CCBCo. They are indistinguishable from the millions of flies tied by competitors & individual anglers. During the 1960's & 1970's the company also offered some tiny plastic lures designed for spinning & fly rod fishing. These are outside the scope of this study.

  • Although several of these series used different color code numbers before 1925, the numbers used here are from the standardized system adopted by Creek Chub Bait Co. in 1925.
  • Many lengths & weights are taken directly from old CCBCo catalogs. They are shown here in fractions of an ounce. If not listed, I have weighed & measured these lures. They are shown in hundredths of an ounce.
  • The F10-16 Feather Casting Minnow series is listed here because of the F prefix although it's obvious by the series name this ISN'T a fly rod lure! It won't be counted as part of the 77 possible fly rod lures/color.

FLY ROD FLEXIBLE FLOATING FEATHER MINNOW (F1-08)
Years: 1924-1933 — Length: 7/8" body plus feathers — Weight: .065 oz.

A very difficult bait to find in any color or condition. Someone at Creek Chub who named this lure must have possessed a keen sense of humor. Similar in design to the Feather Casting Minnow, but with a shorter body, no spinner & other subtle differences.

F1 Creek Chub Scale - F2 Pikie Scale - F3 Gold Fish Scale - F4 White & Red - F5 All Red - F6 Manchester - F7 Lord Baltimore - F8 Silver Doctor
Image Not Available

FEATHER CASTING MINNOW (F10-16)
Years: 1924-1926 — Length: 1 5/8" body plus feathers — Weight: ½ oz.

Another inconsistency from the boys at CCBCo. It's obvious by the lure's name it isn't a fly rod bait. I've decided to list it here in case you are trying to identify one. Please remember this series isn't counted as part of the 77 known Creek Chub fly rod baits/colors. A very tough lure, perhaps rarer overall than the similar F1-08 series listed above. A caution to buyers: check with an unbiased expert on these two series to confirm if the feathers are original or recently retied with replacement feathers.

F10 Chub Scale - F11 Yellow Perch - F12 White & Red - F16 Gold Fish Scale

FLY ROD CRAWDAD (F50-51)
Years: 1924-1950 (except 1948-'49) —
Length: 1 1/8" body plus feathers/hair — Weight: .056 oz.

Not as rare as the previous baits but they are very difficult to locate with all the squirrel tail claws & especially the fragile feather legs & tail. Made in only two color patterns.

F50 Natural Crab - F51 Tan Crab

FLY ROD FROGGIE (F80-81)
Years: 1925-1950 (except 1947-'49) — Length: 1 1/8" body —
Weight: Unavailable

Most Creek Chub collectors have never seen a complete Froggie. Although the body of this lure is wood, the fragile legs are made of rubber. Over the years these legs either disintegrated or fell off & were lost. Finding a specimen with complete legs, even if they are unattached, is a major coup. F80 was the only color made in 1950. A very scarce "picture" box produced especially for this lure is also known but is rarely seen.

F80 Green Meadow Frog - F81 Brown Meadow Frog

FLY ROD CRIPPLED MINNOW (F90)
Years: 1927-1950 (except 1948-'49) — Length: 1 7/8" body plus tail —
Weight: Unavailable

99% of these lures are found without some or all of their 3 fragile flexible fins. In fact most collectors aren't aware there are 3 distinct soft fins. This is a lure I call a "condition rarity". The condition of the lure creates the rarity not just the lure itself. In other words, although a specimen without any fins can usually be located without exceptional difficulty, a perfect example in mint condition with all the fins intact is a major rarity.

F90 Silver Flash

FLY ROD POP-IT (F100-102)
Years: 1927-1954 — Length: 1" body plus feathers/hair —
Weight: .042 oz.

This bait incorporates a cork body instead of the usual white cedar. After paint & varnish work was completed, baits were finished with glitter plus bucktail & mallard feathers. These feathers were closely glued to the body. Oddly, although Chub color is usually a scale pattern on other lures, it is white on this bait. Perch is solid yellow & Brown Bug is actually brown. This series isn't too difficult to find.

F100 Chub - F101 Perch - F102 Brown Bug

FLY ROD MOUSE (F200-213)
Years: C.1929-1945 — Length: 1 ¼" body plus tail — Weight: .070 oz.

A very difficult bait to find, especially in superior condition. A word of caution: many lure companies produced a similar looking bait. Consult an independent lure expert to confirm the company of origin for this little beauty.

F200 Natural Gray Mouse - F202 White Mouse, Red Eyes - F213 All Black

HUM-BIRD (FLY) (F300-307)
Years: 1933-1945 — Length: 1" Weight: — Unavailable

This series differs from all the other fly rod lures listed here. It is the only series that doesn't have a hard painted surface & the only design that is an identifiable fly. The body is made of cork & the wings are hair. All color combinations are scarce because this lure is so fragile. A well-known rarity associated with this fly is the "picture" lure box made specifically for this series.

Number

 Wing Body Tail
F300 Red Red Red
F301 White White White
F302 Red/Yellow Yellow Yellow
F303 Green/White White White
F304 Red/White Red White
F305 Green/Yellow Green Yellow
F306 Black/Yellow Black Black
F307 Black/White Green Black
Note: Again, there are several fly series offered by Creek Chub that are impossible to identify. There isn't a good reason to add to the confusion so they won't be listed here.

BULL PUP (F900-909)
Years: 1936-1954 — Length: 1" — Weight: .039 oz.

This is the only all metal lure in this group. Generally inexpensive compared to other CCBCo fly rod lures. Nevertheless there are several colors that may take years to locate. Produced in six different finishes & colors.

F900 Pikie - F900N Nickel - F900C Copper - F902 White & Red Head
F904 Yellow Scale - F909 Green Scale

CREEK BUG (TROUT) WIGGLER (#1000-1013)
Years: 1922-1945 — Length: 7/8" — Weight: less than .035 oz.

This is one of four early Fly Rod Series without the F designation. Don't confuse this with the F1000 Series. Although this design was represented in the CCBCo catalogs for over 20 years, they are very scarce. Most available examples show considerable use. The Bug Wiggler was produced in three sizes: two fly rod types & one bait casting size.

1000 Natural Bug - 1002 White & Red (Bug) - 1013 All Black

PLUNKER BASS BUG (F1000-1005)
Years: 1937-1947 — Length: 1" body plus hair — Weight: .066 oz.

This is the larger of the two Plunker Fly Rod lures. This one has a concave face similar to the Plunkers in the bait casting & spinning sizes. All of the finishes for this & the F1100 series are solid colors (no scale patterns). A listing of two colors (e.g. F1005 Red & White) denotes a red body & white hair instead of the usual red & white painted lure. The Fly Rod Plunker is not often available in either size.

F1000 All White - F1001 All Red - F1002 All Gray - F1003 Black & Yellow
F1004 Gray & Brown - F1005 Red & White

CREEK BUG (BASS) WIGGLER (#1100-1113)
Years: 1922-1945 — Length: 1 ¼" — Weight: .066 oz.

The second series without the F prefix. Made in the same three colors as the #1000 Bug Wiggler Series, but slightly larger. Again, very difficult to find in anything above Very Good condition.

1100 Natural Bug - 1102 White & Red (Bug) - 1113 All Black

PLUNKER TROUT & PAN FISH BUG (F1100-1105)
Years: 1937-1947 — Length: ¾" body plus hair —
Weight: approx. .018 oz.

This smaller Plunker Fly Rod lure is similar to the F1000 Plunker Bass Bug except for the wee size & a flat face instead of the usual concave face. Both sizes have through-wire rigging, which is unusual for such small baits. Any listing of two colors (e.g. F1104 Gray & Brown) denotes a solid painted body & contrasting hair. Overall, scarcer than F1000 Series.

F1100 All White - F1101 All Red - F1102 All Gray - F1103 Black & Yellow
F1104 Gray & Brown - F1105 Red & White

FLY ROD (TROUT) PIKIE (#1200-1205)
Years: 1922-1945 — Length: 1 ¼" — Weight: less than .039 oz.

There were two early Fly Rod Pikie Series produced. This is the smaller size. Each lure has a wire staple in the top of the head & a wire leader. Examples in Pikie color are sometimes seen. The other two colors are seldom offered, especially in superior grade. No F prefix on this series.

1200 Natural Pikie - 1202 White with Red Head - 1205 Red Side

FLOATING FLY ROD MINNOW (F1200-1205)
Years: 1937-1947 — Length: 1 ¼" body plus hair — Weight: .052 oz.

This is another unique shaped bait from the inventive minds at CCBCo. According to fly rod specialists this is one of the rarest F series. It features a cigar shaped body & perpendicular hair wings that set high on the lure's back. When a lure is listed with two colors (e.g. F1204), the first color is the painted body & the second color is the hair. Seldom seen in any color.

F1200 All White - F1201 All Red - F1202 All Gray - F1203 Black & Yellow
F1204 Gray & Brown - F1205 Red & White

FLY ROD (BASS) PIKIE (#1300-1305)
Years: 1922-1945 — Length: 1 5/8" — Weight: .045 oz.

One of the many sizes of Pikie lures produced by Creek Chub Bait Co. Similar to most fly rod baits made by this company, generally not available. The last of the four series introduced by Creek Chub before they added the F prefix.

1300 Natural Pikie - 1302 White with Red Head - 1305 Red Side

FLY ROD DINGBAT (F1300-1319)
Years: 1938-1954 — Length: ½" body plus hair —
Weight: approx. .025 oz.

A little tougher lure than the F1400 Series Dingbat. Both series made in the same seven color combos. The smallest size of all the casting & fly rod Dingbats. Uses a #6 hook.

F1300 Natural Pikie Scale, Brown Legs F1301 Natural Perch, Scale Green Legs - F1302 White Body, Red Head - F1304 Golden Shiner, Yellow Legs
F1313 All Black - F1318 Silver Flash, Red Legs - F1319 Frog, Green Legs

FLY ROD DINGBAT (F1400-1419)
Years: 1938-1954 — Length: 7/8" body plus hair — Weight: .042 oz.

All seven colors of this series can be located with an aggressive search spread over a few years. These baits are slightly larger than the F1300 Series. It's amazing how the finishers at CCBCo were able to paint such detailed scale & frog patterns on these tiny baits. Uses a #2 hook.

F1400 Natural Pikie Scale, Brown Legs - F1401 Natural Perch Scale, Green Legs - F1402 White Body, Red Head - F1404 Golden Shiner, Yellow Legs
F1413 All Black - F1418 Silver Flash, Red Legs - F1419 Frog, Green Legs

Fly Rod Boxes
 Note: Not all types of boxes are shown.
This style tiny fly rod box has been dubbed the "Intro Box". However, we know this fly rod box was produced long after the actual Intro Era (1916-1921). The box shown here is marked
F-900N which was a fly rod bait not introduced until 1936. These wee boxes were produced in several colors.
The rare red border CCBCo box was produced for fly rod baits only. Some borders have faded to an orange hue but were produced originally in red.
Certain fly rod baits were shipped in the same color and style box used on many of the bait casting series. Pop-It fly rod lures are often found in this type of box.
The square True To Nature boxes came in two styles. This is the earliest with three vertical lines on each side of "True To Nature". The most common fly rod box is a similar style with three lines on the sides, over, and below "True To Nature". Thousands of these later boxes were thrown out and rescued when the factory closed in 1978/'79.

SOME FINAL THOUGHTS

All of the lures named above are catalog fly rod series in standard catalog colors. There hasn't been any attempt to list all the non-catalog fly rod lures or the later catalog plastics. It would also be impossible to list all of the never-ending custom order colors known as Specials.

A big "thank you" to Bill Howard for his assistance on this treatise.


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