Gudebrod

Gudebrod: From 1870s Silk Thread to Iconic 1960s Lures

The history of Gudebrod Bros. Silk Co. is a rare example of a company founded in the era of horse-drawn carriages that managed to become a true innovator in the age of plastics. It is a brand that spanned 140 years, leaving its mark in every tackle box.

The Foundation: 1870–1950s

The company was established in 1870 in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. For its first few decades, Gudebrod was a textile giant. When bamboo fly rods required perfect silk wrappings, Gudebrod provided the finest silk. When nylon arrived, the company created the legendary Champion series braided lines. However, the real revolution for spin fishermen came later.

The Golden Decade of Lures: 1960s and 1970s

In the 1960s, leveraging decades of material expertise, Gudebrod expanded beyond lines and threads. The company launched its own production of hard plastic lures. These weren't mere copies of existing brands—they were original designs with their own "character" and unique acoustics.

Anglers of that era were introduced to three main tools for topwater hunting:

Gudebrod Blabber Mouth: A propbait that became synonymous with noise. Its massive rear propeller created so much cavitation that predators could hear it from dozens of yards away. The name lived up to its reputation.

Gudebrod Nimble Nose: A lure designed for finesse. Its "nimble" design allowed anglers to dance the bait through lily pads, triggering strikes from even the most passive bass.

Gudebrod Trouble Maker: A true surface disturber. Its action was designed to create maximum chaos—popping, gurgling, and splashing to grab the predator's attention.

Quality as a Tradition

Gudebrod lures from the '60s and '70s were known for their extreme durability. Heavy-duty plastic and high-quality plating on the hooks made them nearly indestructible. Production continued through the late 1970s before the company refocused on its roots—high-tech rod-building materials.

The Legacy Today

The original Pottstown facility closed in 2010, ending a 140-year saga. Today, a Nimble Nose or Blabber Mouth in good condition is more than an antique; it’s a high-performance tool from an era when things were built to last. For Google and anglers alike, the Gudebrod story is one of industrial success, where 1870s quality transformed into 1960s fish-catching performance.