I'm glad someone opened up this discussion as it gives me a small opportunity to get on my soap box about a subject which is near and dear to my heart.
I've been in this business now long enough to see lots of faces, names, etc. come and go, pass into infinity, and I remember specifically talking with Kirk a number of times about recording and documenting his formulas, in a safe & secure place, so if something happens to him at least his lure business can go on. He assured me that he had taken my advice and that "if something happened" his formulas were secure, were accessible, and could be replicated. For whatever reason, and I won't go into details, but Aileen (his widow) has not been able to locate them ? So when they are gone, they are GONE !! For those of you that don't know me, you have no idea how frustrating and painful this situation is. Unfortunately, it happens way too many times in our industry ! Paul Dobbins chime in here here if you happen to read this !!
Right now, this very minute, there are some major lure makers that are very well recognized in the industry that have no idea of how to document, record, or pass the torch of their fine products to someone else. They are all very proud of their products, and THEY SHOULD BE, the lure & bait makers on top of their games are artists, they've devoted their lives to developing products for all of us to use. But, to me, it just seems such a waste that it has the potential to all be lost !!
Lots of us on here never imagined, in our wildless dream that we would be paid for doing what we love to do ! For those developing products, or lures or baits, doesn't it make sense that it get recorded and documented ? Let your heirs enjoy the fruits of your labors ! Your formulas, your inventions, your ideas all have value.............take a few moments, write them down, tell your loved one where they are, have the conversations.
I haven't jarred the last of Kirk's Gel bait yet, but when I do it will be a sad moment, I'll scrape the jar clean............he didn't want it to end this way. Don't let it happen to you !!!
