Wisconsin 101

OBJECT HISTORY: Mepps Fishing Lure

The classic Mepps fishing lure the Aglia, was invented in France in the 1930s and patented in 1938. (Mepps is a French acronym for Manufacturier d’ Engins de Precision pour Peches Sportives, translated as “Manufacture of Precision Equipment for Sport Fishing”.) It was introduced to northern Wisconsin, and to the U.S., by a G.I. returning from France.…

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September 10, 2020

Art, Sport & Entertainment / Related Stories / Langlade County / Wolf River / Manufacturing & Trade / Nature & Environment / Region 2 - North East / Transportation & Tourism / 1960-1980 / Mepps Fishing Lure

Squirrel Tails Wanted? The Improved Mepps Lure

Driving through Antigo, visitors are often puzzled by a sign proclaiming “Squirrel Tails Wanted” advertised by Sheldons’ Inc., manufacturer of Mepps lures. Squirrel tail hair has unique properties ideal for lures. [1] Its addition to the Anglia has proven to be the…

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May 24, 2018

Art, Sport & Entertainment / Antigo / Related Stories / Langlade County / Global Connections / Manufacturing & Trade / Nature & Environment / Region 2 - North East / 1940-1960 / Mepps Fishing Lure

Mepps Lures: The Antigo Connection

A chance encounter of an American G.I. in France after World War II with a local fisherman led to the development of a major industry in Antigo, Wisconsin and put Antigo on the sports fishing map. Frank Velek discovered a fishing lure…

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May 24, 2018

Pre-1600 / 1600-1800 / Related Stories / Langlade County / 1800-1820 / Wolf River / 1820-1840 / 1840-1860 / Manufacturing & Trade / 1860-1880 / 1880-1900 / Nature & Environment / Politics, Society & Government / Region 2 - North East / 1900-1920 / 1920-1940 / 1940-1960 / 1960-1980 / Transportation & Tourism / 1980-2000 / 2000-2020 / 2020-2040 / Mepps Fishing Lure

The Wolf River

Todd Sheldon first discovered the virtues of the Mepps Aglia spinner and later realized improvements afforded by a tuft of squirrel tail while fishing at one of his favorite spots: the Wolf River. Today the Wolf continues to be a destination for sports…

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May 24, 2018

Building a Tourism Industry in Northern Wisconsin

Equipment manufacturers played a major role in developing fishing as a part of the tourism industry in northern Wisconsin. Each year nearly two million people fish in Wisconsin’s waterways. They catch about 72 million fish of various species. Fishing lures expanded in…

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May 24, 2018