Wintertime is an excellent opportunity for the outdoors person to give some attention to things that neglected in the warmer months of the year. Time to look through the inventory and organize, purge, downsize, etc. It’s also an optimal time for those who are collectors to take inventory of their stock and decide if they need to expand, exchange or downsize their collections.
One such area of collectibles is in the fish and game category. Fishing tackle and sporting collectibles is a niche of collecting that is very popular. The Montpelier Fishing Tackle and Sporting Collectibles Show is set to take place on February 18, 2023 from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Quality Inn in Montpelier, OH.
The Montpelier Fishing Tackle and Sporting Collectibles Show started in 2001 when a group of collectors headed by Larry Oyer wanted to host a Show locally — shows are hosted all over the region from Canada to Florida to Iowa to Pennsylvania, some independent shows and some sanctioned by the national group, National Fishing Lure Collectors Club (NFLCC). Independent groups, such as the Montpellier show, is open to the public and welcomes more collectibles than just fishing. Attendees and vendors are also welcome to bring other outdoor sporting collectibles.
When COVID hit in 2020 and shut down most events and other things that were deemed too much of a public health risk, the Montpelier group worked with the changes of the time with alternate versions of their Show. It was at this time that local men, Cody Treat and Dustin Lucas approached Oyer and the other coordinators about taking over the leadership of the event planning. Oyer was happy to oblige and has continued to help and participate in the event with them. Dustin and Cody have been collectors for many years of all kinds of fishing and sporting collectibles. They are avid fishermen who venture all the local lakes within a three hour radius to relax, enjoy nature and catch some food. Treat is a Paulding County native that now resides in Defiance and Lucas is an Antwerp native. This event is a family affair for Treat and Lucas as Treat’s parents and son will help with admissions as will Lucas’ wife and daughter.
At the 2023 Show look for 100-140 vendors from seven states in attendance with their collections on display for all the outdoorsmen and women looking for that next great find for their collection. The Show consists about 90% fishing lures and tackle, both new and old, but will also have knives, collectible ammo boxes, etc. ready on display. Some collectibles are quite valuable and rare. Treat owns a collection of Miller’s Reversible Minnow lures from New York. These lures are made of basswood and metal hooks and were made in the years 1912-1926.
There will also be appraisers at the event — Treat and Lucas are appraisers, and there will also be a NFLCC appraiser on hand on February 18th. A consignment auction will take place at 12:00 p.m. and one of the vendors will be awarded for best display of old fishing tackle.
Mark your calendars to attend this indoor winter event on February 18, 2023 at the Quality Inn in Montpelier, OH.
