The push started in the NY/NJ area in my way of thinking. In Bob Post's book "Reading the Water" there are a few hints. In both Kib Bramhall and Hank Schauer's chapter's they mention a gentlemen well known to Martha's Vineyard fisherman, Segie De Somov, the Mad Russian as he was called. Schauer recalls an incident where he watched Somov casting plugs like "lead weighted Clothespins" painted white or black for night or day fishing. Schauer described them like "Spoffords Needlefish". That was in the fifties or early sixties.
Like Somov, Tim Coleman wrote in the late 70's or early 80's of making stubby needlefish lures of all white or all black with corresponding hackles on each and doing quite well on them. Could Tim Coleman have heard of the Mad Russian and his "Lead weighted Clothespins"? Might just be. If I see Tim at any shows this year I am going to make a point to ask him.
Musso's wooden Needles were a real advance with the styling and that particular cut at the eye that makes that thing actually swim underwater. A product of a great Striper mind.
