At 91 Kyogle local John Langley is probably the oldest stall holder at the Rotary Kyogle Bazaar. And his product is unique: hand sculpted fishing lures.

For more than 30 years John has made a variety of lures from white beech sourced from fallen logs in the forest and on his father’s old farm. The lures are painstakingly painted with lustrous car duco then fitted with a bib, the key component determining movement patterns of the lures.

John has been tweaking the bibs and colouring for years to produce perfect lures appealing to about 7 different species. Some lures work better in the morning and others at night. He produces black and purple lures for twilight and evening fishing. Inserting the bib requires precision as the quick-drying glue only allows 2 seconds for correct insertion.

Fishing was part of John’s early life in Old Grevillea before doing national service in his late teens, then cattle mustering in Queensland where he met his wife Lyn. It was hard work and not much fishing was happening. When circumstances led to the Langley’s return to Kyogle, John resurrected his early interest in fishing lures.

His father was a keen fisherman and John admired his lures used to catch bass in the nearby Richmond River. John had done woodworking at school. At 17 he had a go at copying one of the lures. John still carries around a couple of his father’s lures in a red velvet jewellery box. Treasure from his childhood.

John delights in the photos and reports of successful fishing from his thrilled customers, especially children. Visit John and Lyn the fourth Saturday of the month at the Bazaar to hear his interesting fishing and lure stories. They are regulars, calling themselves Stalker Lures.