A.W. Saarima

Lansing, Ontario (EARLY) & Willowdale, Ontario

August W. Saarimaa is best known for creating, and acquiring patents for the Fish-Hawk and the Muskie-Head.  According to early box paperwork, Saarima has been making hollow body metal lures since 1942.  As you can see from the bottom picture in the left column, AWS made some beautiful Pikie-type lures in a variety of paint schemes, jointed and straight bodied and tack and rhinestone eye configurations. The lips on the pikie type lures always read "AWS." They also produced a range of lure boxes from the ones shown, to red and white versions, and some red, white and blue versions. The illustration of the fisherman reaching to pick up his catch is shown in many of the boxes, but some also depict a leaping bass.  The only lure missing from this lot is the "Sarde Minnow," which was a shortened version of the dabble minnow with a rounded head and a metal lip. The tail treble also had a feather attached to it. Both the "Dabble Minnow," and the "Sarde Minnow" were produced in the following colours:

Chrome, Golden, White Back and Belly - golden flash on sides
Green back and belly - golden flash on sides
Orange back and belly - golden flash on sides
Yellow back and belly - golden flash on sides

	Fish Hawk Lure & Muskie-Head Shown in this pictures is a yellow "Fish Hawk" lure that came in 3 different sizes and quite a few different paint variations, and an orange "Muskie-Head" lure that also came in a variety of paint finishes and sizes.
	AWS Dabble Minnow This picture shows a silver, blue and yellow-spotted "Dabble Minnow." This heavy rust-proof metal lure was apparently made in 8 models - 4 smooth side and 4 wavy style. It also came in 4 sizes - 2 for casting - 2 for trolling.
	Antique AWS Pikie Lure Collection Here are some fine examples of AWS Pikie lures that came in a variety of paint schemes, and also came in tack eye and rhinestone eye.  You often find that the paint is cracked or cracking as the finish varnish may have been a bit weak.  This collection also shows the great variation of lure box designs as well.