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Bally fisherman's fleamarket Bally Pa
Drove to the Bally fleamarket today, had a good time, met some cool people. They said it's their 17th year doing this, and it's grown big enough that they need 2 halls.
The Bally Fire Dept did a great job hosting and directing traffic. Walt and all the guys at Bally Fishermans Flea market put on a great show. 
Seems like it's one of the bigger shows at that area. Check them out when you're in the area, always the last Sunday in February.
www.ballyfishermansmarket.com
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The show was geared mostly to fresh water, but there were enough surprises to keep it interesting for fresh and saltwater fishermen alike. Some pics.
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Mike from Mikols Lures, Perkiomenville, Pa
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Drsfa
I hope I got my info straight - The guys I met inside from the Delaware River Shad Fishermen's Association (DRSFA) said theyre in charge of putting the show together each year. They put out a great newsletter with a lot of articles & references for shad fishermen and guys who fish the Delaware and Pennsylvania rivers. In addition, they do some public awareness work, and recently instituted a "Shad in Schools" program where they donate shad eggs to classrooms so children can have a chance to see the shad life cycle. 
Their contact info is: www.geocities.com/shadhotline
Seems like it's one of the bigger shows in the area. Check them out, always the last Sunday in February.
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I also met Bert and Rusty from DRSFA. Bert's stuff is pictured above. He has an amazing collection of old and vintage lures, and he can tell you every detail about the vintage, variations, and interesting stories of when they were made. Prices run from $10-$100. He's got about 15 variations of that Heddon punkinseed lure pictured in the middle of the photo. Nice meetin ya, Bert. 
Bert's next show will be on 3/8 on Rt 378? He's got 20 years experience collecting old tackle, and is an entertaining guy to talk to. Track him down at the show on 3/8 and say hello.
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Pierson Plugs
Met Bill Pierson and his wife of Pierson Plugs. Check out these plugs!
For the most part, the plugs are clear cedar or maple, with some bright accents. We had a good conversation about how the action of the plug is more important than anything else, and I guess his "plain" cedar plugs that catch fish are proof of this. Prices range from $3 to $20. He lives in Perkiomenville, Pa, right near the reservoir. Stop by his shop to talk about plugs, or watch him hit the reservoir for plug R&D to test his new stuff. Or you can find him at a few more shows he'll be doing.
He's been doing it since he got laid off as an aircraft mechanic 20 years ago. He puts 5-7 coats of clear on each plug, and says saltwater doesn't affect the plug, for those interested in using these plugs for striped bass. The plugs are designed and used for big muskies. He's got an album with pics of guys who caught big fish on his plugs, including tuna.
He gets the material from trees on his property, and they mill and shape it into the raw stock he needs to create the plug.
One of the coolest things about meeting this guy is that he's a freshwater AND saltwater fanatic, and his wife fishes too.
He knows Island Beach State Park in NJ well, and he knows Tony Spina! The guy lives over 100 miles away from Tony, and remembers him from fishing IBSP. Small world.
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Bill and his wife
Big wood, good for toothy muskies or striped bass
Clear cedar and maple plugs
He invented this killer bluefish rig, comes with a wire leader and extra hooks. Made out of rock maple, it's rock,jetty, and teeth proof. Guys in Mass use it to get live bunker under the bluefish and get to the bass.
Some alligator muskies a guy caught using one of his plugs. 
I never fished these, but guys fish them for muskies all the time. If I were to use one in the salt, I would definitely swap out their freshwater hooks for VMC's.
Beyond all this, Bill seemed like a genuinely nice guy. He's a smart businessman and self-promoter, but he's also generous with his time and advice. Kinda reminds me of Charleston from another site I used to be on.
Bill said he's helped about 7 or 8 guys learn the craft, and they're now making plugs like he taught them. He's also got the local kids involved in fishin and "testing" his plugs, keeps them out of trouble.
At the end of the show, a young girl stopped by with her Dad, and he gave her a plug as a gift. With the scarcity of women entering the sport today, it was a generous gesture, and she and her Dad appreciated it.
Nice meetin ya, Bill. The next time I come out your way, I'm bringin my freshwater gear.
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Joe Eder from Shar-Jo Specialties, Schnecksville, Pa had an amazing collection of old licenses, and some vintage plugs.
Ever meet a guy that was so organized he would file everything in his life in neat little categories? That's Joe - I didn't know you could have so many categories and sub-categories. 
I would say if you're looking for a vintage fishing or hunting license in the Tri-state area, Joe is the man to see.
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Lohr's lures & crankbaits
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Gary Christ, Tackle Collector
This guy had an amazing stash of used vintage reels in their original boxes. He said this was his last show today till the fall, when he'll be at the Marysville Pa show th first week in September. A treasure trove of saltwater reels, and reasonable prices. Nice meetin ya, Gary.
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Jim from JT Mauler Tackle - jigs, jigheads, grubs, spinnerbaits, all types of rubber baits for freshwater fishin.
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Sonny Schaffer the "This and That Man".
I met Sonny, his wife Ruth, and their comedic friend Lenny for the second time here. First time was at the Leesburg show, but I didn't realize then how many boxes of used reels he has squirreled away. Container upon container, Sonny's the man to see if you're looking for a used or vintage reel for a reasonable price.
His next show will be next year, but if you call (610)367-0829, he could be persuaded to meet up with ya at the upcoming show at the Alberta Community Center.
He and his wife, and sidekick Lenny are a barrel of laughs. I think Lenny has been polishing his act for years, and is ready to take it on the road, so he can finally buy his wife dinner.
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2nd hall of tables
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Art Hoch Plugs - Pennsburg, Pa
Art Hoch is a protege of Bill Pierson who has been making plugs on his own for a little over a year now. He had plugs of all sizes, mostly cedar, though he will make different plugs & designs upon request and is starting to experiment with different wood.
He style is to make the plugs and then woodburn the details into them, and finish with several coats of poly. He did say he would use different sealing and curing methods if the market demand developed for saltwater versions of his plugs.
For now, guys use them mostly to catch largemouths and big muskies. He has a bounty on any of his plugs that are used and battered in a battle with a big fish. If you bring it to him with your fish story, hell buy it back from you so he can put it on display.
Nice meetin ya, Art, and best of luck with the business.
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Art Hoch Plugs
Some of his biggest plugs are 9" and 2-3+ ounces.
His plugs are priced from $5- $20 depending on the size and level of detail.
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