We’re excited to launch Cast From The Past with Steve Woit the author of “Fly Fishing Treasures: The World of Fly Fishers and Collecting.” Steve’s book features profiles of 30 experts and collectors and over 800 photographs of rare and collectible fly rods, reels, flies, books, and ephemera.
John Krider Pack Rod and Pistols
Many of the first American fly rod makers were also gunsmiths. One of the early rod makers of the rodsmithing age was John Krider of Philadelphia. Pictured here is a pack rod, two pistols, and medals that he won for his guns and pistols at the American Exhibition of American Manufactures sponsored by the Franklin Institute of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania from 1840-1858 and in 1874.
Krider was also the founder of the Sportsmen’s Depot, one of the earliest fishing tackle retailers in the country, beginning in the 1870’s and operating for almost 50 years at the corner of Second and Chestnut Streets in Philadelphia.
Very cool, I think that I’m going to like this.
More information on Krider is available in my 1997 article entitled “Fishing Tackle from Eastern Pennsylvania: John Krider and the Sportsmen’s Depot” (https://www.antiquefishingreels.info/Articles/Krider.pdf)