Museum Archive: Vintage Cotton Cordell Wally Diver, 1/2oz Perch fishing lure #10540

Dotted yellow eyes and a dark olive back define the classic Perch pattern on this Cotton Cordell Wally Diver, a staple in any deep-water walleye arsenal. This specimen, identified by product code 10540, features a vibrant orange-to-yellow gradient along its belly and distinct vertical bars that remain crisp across its 3 1/4" (8 cm) body. The floating construction houses a noise-generating internal chamber, intended to call in predators like pike and zander. Weighing in at 1/2 oz (14 g), it is balanced for efficient casting or steady trolling. The large, clear diving lip is designed for significant depth, reaching 9 - 11 ft (2.7 - 3.3 m) on the cast and diving between 14 - 18 ft (4.3 - 5.5 m) while trolling. Both treble hooks and the split rings are clean and sturdy, supporting a condition rating of 5/5. Originally developed in the USA, the Wally Diver's profile has become a benchmark for deep-diving minnow baits due to its slender silhouette and reliable depth-attaining capabilities.