That sucks. It seems even as this economy is barely sputtering along, prices of lead, fuel, and other commodities have increased way more than average. Everyone who bottom-fishes needs sinkers. Ya can't go by more thasn a day without losing a few.
Richie, did you ever think about putting a free ad on craigslist or backpage asking if people have scrap lead laying around? That might be an option if you haven't tried it already.