Museum Archive: Thomas Buoyant, 1/4oz Purple Trout fishing spoon #16111

A 1/4 oz (7 g) weight makes this stamped metal spoon a substantial option for casting into streams or trolling for lake trout. The "Purple Trout" finish, which the manufacturer also labels as Watermelon on the T102WM packaging, displays a series of dark spots over a shimmering iridescent purple and pink background. At 1 3/4" (4.5 cm) in length, the lure features the jewelry-quality plating that Thomas has been known for since patenting this specific design in 1946. This particular specimen remains in its original yellow carded packaging, indicating its origin as a "Made in U.S.A." product. The lure is unused, preserving the factory-sharp treble hook and vibrant surface paint. This 6-rated item carries the product code 16111 and represents the classic mid-century American tackle aesthetic.