Weber

The Weber Tackle Company
From Frost’s Flies to the Weber Dynasty

The history of the Weber Tackle Company is deeply intertwined with the fishing lore of Stevens Point, Wisconsin, which earned the title "The Fly Tackle Capital of the World."

The story begins in 1896 with Carrie Frost, a passionate angler who, frustrated by relying on imported European flies, founded the C.J. Frost Fishing Tackle Manufacturing Company. She quickly built a successful business, known for its high-quality, effective flies, employing up to 150 people, mostly local women. Her slogan, "Fish Fight for Frost Flies," was famous nationwide.

In the 1920s, the Frost company was purchased and, in 1926, acquired by the burgeoning Weber Tackle group. Weber, which had already established itself in the tackle component manufacturing and distribution world, officially absorbed the Frost legacy. The newly consolidated Weber Tackle Company was a powerhouse, operating from Stevens Point until 1988.

Weber significantly expanded the product line beyond flies to include a massive volume of poppers, spinners, spoons, and accessories, shipping them across the U.S. and Canada. The company became renowned for its vast catalog and its famous slogan, "If Weber Makes it, Fish Takes it." It stands as one of the most prolific American tackle manufacturers of the 20th century.

The Lure: Glitter Pop and the Fly Tying Legacy

While Weber produced an immense diversity of lures, their core strength remained in the lightweight and surface-oriented tackle, rooted in the fly-tying tradition.

The Fly Tradition: Weber was the king of the feathered and furred art. They produced millions of expertly tied flies and streamers, capitalizing on the skilled workforce in Stevens Point. These patterns were the gold standard for trout, panfish, and even large predators.

The Signature Popper: Among their most recognizable hard baits is the Weber Glitter Pop. This topwater popper, often constructed of painted wood and accented with glitter, combined visual flash with a satisfying "pop" and splash. This aggressive surface action made it a deadly choice for attracting territorial strikes from Largemouth Bass and Pike in shallow, weedy areas.

A Collector’s Treasure: Today, vintage Weber tackle especially the poppers like the Glitter Pop and specialized items like the Weber Musky King are treasured finds. Opening an old tackle box from Wisconsin is highly likely to reveal one of the numerous, enduring baits created during Weber’s near-century-long run.