ART OF THE CREEL

ART OF THE CREEL With the advent of "catch and release", the fishing creel no longer has much utilitarian value. Instead, it is being recognized for its folk art appeal and the fine workmanship that has gone into many of the old creels. Further, the fishing creel is now widely recognized as a symbol or fishing and it is used in fishing art, logos and interior decoration."The Art of the Creel" is a photographic perspective on a wide variety of creels, their makers, their materials and their artistic appeal. With more than 200 different creels photographed, this book provides a comprehensive look at all the major categories of creels as well as some very rare, one of a kind creels that are tucked away in private collections. The authors have also provided pertinent information about the history and the makers of most of the creels. There is still much to learn about the subject and "The Art of the Creel". This book is a good place to start for anyone interested in fishing or folk art.EXCERPT"George Lawrence Co. Creels," from The Art of the CreelWhen the angler left the spring creeks of the east and moved west to the freestone rivers, the need for added reinforcement was realized. Climbing the rocky banks, busting through the brush, willows and quaking aspen all but extraordinary strain on the corners, the hinges and the tops of a creel. A frugal western fisherman would take his creel to the local saddle shop and the artisans there would reinforce it with leather.Leather reinforced creels have a long history in the United Kingdom. In fact, Scotland's Mc Phearson was already using leather to reinforce creels in 1884. It was in the American West, however, that this form of the creel reached its apex. Oregon was the center of the leathered creel business.The most important leatherer of creels in Oregon was the George Lawrence Company. Lawrence set the standard for leather reinforced fish baskets. Every leathered creel is measured against Lawrence's. George Lawrence's great grandson, Bill Lawrence III writes: "The company was established by my great grandfather's brother in law, Sam Sherlock. Sam, after working in the saddlery trade in the northeastern United States, came to Oregon via the Isthmus of Panama. After arrival in Portland, Oregon, Sherlock established a livery stable and harness supply business in 1857. In 1873, George W. Lawrence joined Sam in the Sherlock saddle and harness business. After Sam's death that same year, George L. ran the business for the widow. In 1893, with the minor financial interests of his three sons, (George, John and my grandfather, William), George, Sr. bought out the Sherlock interests and changed the name to The Geo. Lawrence Co." ISBN: 0-9659172-7-4 publish date: 11/14/1998