The C.A. Clark Lure Co. (Water Scout).
Charles A. Clark first hand-made the famous "Water
Scout" fishing lures in the late 1920s or early 1930s. Interest grew in his lure
until in 1934 he patented the lure. Commercial production started a year earlier, and has
continued under various companies until today. The Water Scout is an interesting lure to
collect since production changes can date the lures.
In addition to the Water Scout, Clark manufactured a deep diving version of the Scout
called the Duckling and Duckbill, a jointed Scout, a top water Popper Scout, the Darter
Scout, and a wounded minnow type top water bait called Goofy Gus.
A lot of research has been done on the Scout lures, starting with the Ray Barzee and
Jim Brown research paper from 1984. Currently there is a web site devoted to Clark lures
maintained by Hugh Fisher which can be found at the following link:
Water Scout World
