 |
|
Booze Bait is a recycled cork-and-cap lure developed by H. Page Skelton Sr. of Chapel Hill.
photo: H. Page Skelton Sr.
|
Reduce, recycle, reel one in
Baits prove worthy in Chapel Hill waters
by H. Page Skelton Sr.
They say that necessity is the mother of invention. In the case of Booze Bait - my recycled cork-and-cap fish-catching contraption - I can earnestly say that this rings true.
I didn't set out to make a poster-child lure for the sport fishing conservation movement. Far from it. Rather, my fishing lure business began as a whimsical solution to an unfortunate personal finance problem: I kept losing store-bought lures in the loblolly pines and willows surrounding a local fishing hole in Chapel Hill. It was an expensive habit, I can assure you.
One afternoon, as I walked home after losing yet another popper-style lure high up in a tree, I had an idea: Why couldn't I just make my own top-water lure out of junk lying around the house?
On a whim and a hunch, I went home and built my first lure out of a wine cork and beer bottle cap. When I went fishing again a day or so later with my new invention, I caught six bass in about a half hour. It had worked.
At first, I started out making them for my own use. Then I gave a few to friends who didn't believe I was catching fish with just a cork and a cap. It worked for them, too. Studio 91, a local wine shop, bought 40 Booze Baits to give away to customers as holiday gifts. And just like that, I found myself in the sustainable fishing tackle business.
The point of my story is that we all can do a little something - anything - to help make a long-term positive impact on our fish and fisheries. I believe that doing my part is to practice sustainable fishing habits whenever possible, as well as to make and sell a fun alternative fishing product made mostly from recycled materials.
Doing your part can be as simple as keeping used beer caps and wine corks out of our local landfills. Send them my way for repurposing!
H. Page Skelton Sr., an avid outdoorsman, also is president of Cackalacky Inc., maker of Cackalacky Brand Spice Sauce, which has been featured on several national TV programs. He lives in Chapel Hill.
Lured in
Booze Bait fishing lures are sold at several local retail outlets, including A Southern Season in Chapel Hill and at Carrboro Beverage Co. and Cliff's Meat Market in Carrboro.
Want another way to help the environment? Send used wine and bottle caps to The Booze Bait Fishing Lure Co. in Chapel Hill for repurposing. To learn more about the Booze Bait & Cap Exchange Program, visit www.boozebait.com.