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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Handmade Fishing Lures from Cedar Tree Fell During Hurricane Rita

Retired Minister Makes fishing lures from fell Cedar tree, a Cedar tree that was fell during Hurricane Rita

LUFKIN – January 3, 2008 - Recently retired Pastor Fred Smith is finding “New Life” in a Cedar tree downed during Hurricane Rita. Inspired be wooden lure maker James Heddon in the early 1900’s, Pastor Fred Smith uses the heart of the Cedar tree, “because of the color”, to make replicas of antique lures the James Heddon made a century ago.  

”The heart of the Cedar tree is a beautiful red, it’s light weight, and water resistant.” says Smith.  “It makes for a great fishing lure and a great item to frame and hang on the wall to admire.”

Smith started turning wood a couple of years ago as a hobby.  Pastor Fred started making pens of deer antlers, east Texas woods and Olivewood from Bethlehem.

“I was ask to be in an “fishing and hunting” show last year,  I had the cedar trees and decided to make fishing lures.” 

Smith has replicated several of the lures that James Heddon Company made back late 1800’s and early 1900’s.  The James Heddon Company is probably the best known wooden fishing lure manufacture in America.  His wooden lures bring upwards of $1600.00 as collectables today.

Finding a “niche” in the “Hunting and Fishing” shows and festivals Pastor Fred has started making Game Calls including Deer Grunt calls, Duck calls and Predator calls. 

“My Dad bought a duck call in the mid 50’s with a 33 1/3 RPM record to learn how to call ducks which I still have.  I made a replica of it, took it to a show and someone liked it well enough to buy it,” Smith says, ”It’s extremely gratifying to take a tree limb or a block of wood and make something useful out of it.”

You can find many of Pastor Fred’s turnings on his web site at Summerwoodpens.com. 

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