Museum Archive: Helin Tackle Helin Flatfish F5, 1/16oz fishing lure #12205

Vibrant orange paint with bold red dots defines the LO color scheme on this 1 3/4-inch (4.5 cm) plastic specimen. Coming from the workshops of Helin Tackle Co. in Detroit, Michigan, this Helin Flatfish F5 is a lightweight piece weighing in at 1/16 oz (2 g). Anglers and collectors will recognize the LO designation on the original box's end label, which remains remarkably crisp. This specific lure, cataloged under product code 12205, is an unused specimen, appearing just as it did when it first left the factory. The package includes the original clear plastic top box and the vintage paper instructional insert, detailing the intended slow-paddling or rowing techniques used to entice species like trout and panfish. The hardware consists of a single belly-mounted treble hook and a small line tie swivel, both showing the clean metal finish of a well-preserved piece. Small F5 variants like this one were historically preferred for a subtle presentation in ponds and small streams.