Creels

An example of how to create an area displaying a Creel, Net and Mount combination. Click image to see an enlarged photo. Note: Items not for sale, display only.

`With the advent of “catch and release” the fishing creel no longer has much utilitarian value. Instead, it is being recognized for its folk art appeal and the fine workmanship that has gone into many of the old creels. Further, the fishing creel is now widely recognized as a symbol of fishing and it is used in fishing art, logos and interior decoration. “The Art of the Creel” is a photographic perspective on a wide variety of creels, their makers, their materials and their artistic appeal. With more than 200 different creels photographed, this book provides a comprehensive look at all the major categories of creels as well a some very rare, one of a kind, creels that are tucked away in private collections. The authors have also provided pertinent information about the history and the makers for most of the creels. There is still much to learn about the subject and “The Art of the Creel” is a good place to start for anyone interested in fishing or folk art. Written by Hugh Chatham and Dan McClain / Photography by Gretchen Duykers / Dedicated to Daryll Whitehead / Published by Blue Heron Publications / ISBN 0-9659172-7-4 196 Pages **Please click on its image to see additional closeup ** Can be shipped "Book Rate"!

This is a Orvis "Center Hole" Creel that was listed in their 1950 products Catalog. It was quite unusal with its' overlap lid/top design and a woven wicker divider in the creel creating an option to store fish and carry other gear or food. The basket was hand woven from whole wicker. It retains its 'original closing leather strap & metal buckle. It is in excellent condition and comes with an aftermarket harness found with the creel. Great finish patina. Collect or display in home, cabin or lodge. This creel measures approximately 14.5" across the bottom, 7" front to back, and 9" high. Please click on it's image to see additional views!

This is a scarce "Broadhead Low Boy" fishing creel manufactured by the Ed Cummings Co. of Flint, Michigan c.1938. It was woven in the United States and was constructed of wicker. It is in near mint condition and is complete with a leather/canvas harness, sliding wood latch to lock the lid shut and a pair of woven rings to create a secondary place to attached the aftermarket harness.The wicker shown has a rich amber finish and is woven with a slight curve on its' rear side to allow the creel to better fit he human body when the creel is worn. This creel was sold thru Abercrombie & Fitch, New York. This creel measures approximately 16" across its bottom, 7" front to back on the top, and 6" high at the back side. You can see this creel, beautifully illustrated, on pages 130 & p.131 in the "Art of The Creel". Please click on its image to see additional closeups!

Nice vintage George Lawrence Split Willow fishing creel with a leather sheathed Queen made fish/bird knife. The fish/bird knife is hanging from the side of the split willow basket on a leather strap. The Lawrence company was one of the premier Oregon creel makers in the City of Portland from 1923 to 1954! They used saddle leather , tooled, embossed, and split willow baskets some colored very effectively to provide additional water protection. This model was known as their "Supreme" series and is stamped with a "4" denoting its model size on the lid top. This creel comes from the late '40"s. The company logo stamping can be seen on the back side. This creel measures approximately 15" across the bottom, 7" deep (front to back), and 10" high at the back side. Dark brown finish patina! This creel was not found with a harness, which was an after market purchase anyway due to the large degree of waist size variations. There some minor split willow weavings that have separated. Barely visable is a 1/8" opening behind the strap where the knife sheath is attacxhed. However, bottom line this is a very collectable creel for home, cabin, or lodge! Please click on its image to see additional pictures!

Beautiful vintage George Lawrence Split Willow fishing creel. The Lawrence company was one of the premier Oregon creel makers in the City of Portland from 1923 to 1954! They used saddle leather , tooled, embossed, and split willow baskets some colored very effectively to provide additional water protection. This model was known as their "Supreme" series and is stamped with a "15" denoting its model size. This creel comes from the late '40"s. The company logo and size stamping can be seen on the back side. This creel measures approximately 15" across the bottom, 8" deep (front to back), and 11' high at the back side. Great brown/gold finish patina! This creel was not found with a harness, which was an after market purchase anyway due to the large degree of waist size variations. Bottom line this is a very collectable creel for home, cabin, or lodge! Please click on its image to see additional pictures!

Spectacular Cradle Harness fishing creel. This split willow is an older basket that was refurbished by a creel maker in Idaho. It has been cleaned & stained reddish/burgundy to help protect the willow from water damage.It has been completely re-leathered and a cradle style harness was created for it. It appears unused (minty) now! All rivets, buckles, strap, rear carry handle, and shoulder harness are intact and working great. Measures approximately 15" across its bottom, by approximately 6" deep, by approximately 9" high. 10" measure across the back top side of the lid. Signed on the top back by rear carry handle with the "Lost River" logo. Please click on its image to see additional closeups!