Busty Baits

Parry Sound, Ontario

Reference material provided by Frank Baron, who wrote the book "Commercial Fish Decoys, Identification and Value Guide" - Click on the link to purchase this fantastic reference book.

William Stanley ("Busty") Flesher was a pioneer of the Parry Sound area. He was born in Parry Sound in 1890 and died there August 19, 1967, spending his entire life in that Georgian Bay area. How, why or where Busty got his unusual nickname, which followed him everywhere throughout his life, even to the company name of his patented fishing lures, is not known.

Throughout his busy life Busty was an active bushman/sportsman hunter, and he also held a commercial fishing license for many years. It is thought that his commercial fishing experiences led to the creation and development of the "Busty Bait" around 1935, which was always associated with very successful winter ice fishing in the Parry Sound area. Instructions packaged in the box also included the multi-usage instructions for trolling in open waters. This bait in fish decoy history is known as a "cheater" because of the hooks (As you can see to the right).

To protect himself from design theft and any possible reproduction of his successful baits, Busty went to the trouble of having his design patented. Busty is remembered as a stickler for fine detail and thought that mass production might possible take away bait quality, so he decided to stay small and independent.

Busty manufactured his 4" - 7" baits in the basement workshop of his home. With a minimum of machinery, he produced hundreds of baits. The baits were made from clear local white cedar, and the hook holders and front trolling eye were drilled through and anchored firmly into the lead ballast. He hand painted all of them using many colours, but his favourite was shades of green or else a white body with a red head and many red spots.

The "Busty Bait" as shown in 3 variations to the right (a camoflauge version is also available). The baits came in a very simple red or green box and associated paperwork that described the methods by which to use the bait.

	3 Different Busty Baits in original boxes.  Pictures from Frank Baron's  the book "Commercial Fish Decoys, Identification and Value Guide"
	Here is a picture of the paper insert that came in the Busty Bait boxes.  Always looking to purchase any of these.