A Blast From the Past

How many of you bass fishermen still have one of these gadgets laying around somewhere collecting dust? I know of one--the guy who emailed this photo to me. He sent it with this message attached: "Yup, I, too, bought one of these. Never ever helped me catch a fish. Lol."

When I went back to him asking if he ever still uses it, I got this note in response: "Not in 20 years. Saving it as an antique. Might be worth more that way."

If you're wondering who the gent is that owns this device, it's none other than good ol' Skip Schaible.

I'm not sure what he thought I'd probably do with this photo--if anything--but I'm always on the lookout for material I can turn into a blog post, and nothing better serves my penchant than something like this blast from the past. "Thanks! my friend. You really made my day."

The Color-C-Lector, as this gadget is known, was the 1984 invention of the late-Dr. Loren Hill, a former University of Oklahoma zoology professor. The 68-year-old professor passed away in 2008.

Sometimes dubbed "the most influential tool in fishing since the graphite rod," the Color-C-Lector was originally manufactured by Lake Systems Divisions of Mt. Vernon, MO. Dr. Hill spent nine years researching the device, which, according to one of its ads, "established a range of 26 colors that were best visible to the eyes of a fish. Through careful observation and patience, Dr. Hill was able to train the fish to differentiate 26 color positions under optimum conditions. He then altered those conditions to simulate various times of day and varying degrees of water clarity. With each change, the correct responses were carefully measured and recorded. The Color-C-Lector is the result of those experiments and reflects the responses of fish to color under all conditions that anglers will encounter."

The original Color-C-Lector was intended for use with a PH Guide. You dropped the probe into the water, and the hand moved to the appropriate color recommended for use during the measured water conditions. While the device had its share of detractors, it also had its adherents, and many of them are die-hards. The original unit still is sought after today, and many of them are purchased by anglers who have worn out one or more previous models. The unit's popularity is such that it's still available today--and has been since 2004--in a digital model made by Spike-It of Linwood, MI. This company makes the bottled worm dyes and color pens that you find on the market.

The Color-C-Lector not only altered the industry, it also changed the product lines and packaging of many major manufacturers. They started coming out with all kinds of weird color combinations in tried-and-true baits. Even the packaging was relabeled to list the particular color codes for that bait that matched the codes on the Color-C-Lector.

Tacklebox manufacturers also hopped aboard the same train. They created prelabeled holding systems (like the one at left) by which to organize your baits.

Then there were the TV shows at the time whose hosts used the device and/or rendered opinions on its usefulness. Bill Dance is one who appeared to be a firm believer in the system. He often would use it during his Bill Dance Outdoors shows. And the folks at In-Fisherman looked at the relevance of the meter to other species besides bass.

It certainly doesn't take a rocket scientist to quickly figure out that color remains an integral part of the tackle-sales industry yet today--regardless of whether you do or don't use a Color-C-Lector in making your selections. Just look at all the eye-popping assortments you currently find on store shelves.