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A VERY UNUSUAL PIECE OF TENNESSEE FISHING & WILDLIFE HISTORY!
Offered here is an authentic vintage commemorative fishing lure marked “TWRA” on the reverse and “Williamsport Lakes Dedication 11/14/97” on the front.
This is not simply a vintage fishing lure. It is a dated piece of Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency history, commemorating the establishment of Williamsport Lakes as a TWRA-managed property in 1997.
🎣 THE HISTORY BEHIND THIS LURE
The story behind this little lure is fascinating.
Williamsport Lakes, located in Maury County, Tennessee, was transferred to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency from Occidental Chemical Corporation in the fall of 1997. The property encompasses approximately 1,722 acres, including four fishing lakes and two wetlands.
Before becoming a public wildlife and fishing destination, the property had a very different history. Occidental Chemical mined phosphorus in the surrounding area and used the lakes as settling ponds for material washed from the phosphorus operation.
TWRA transformed this former industrial property into a public wildlife and fishing resource.
And this lure is specifically dated November 14, 1997 and identifies the occasion as the:
“WILLIAMSPORT LAKES DEDICATION”
The reverse is prominently marked:
TWRA
That places this piece directly in the period when the property was being transferred into TWRA management.
A PIECE OF A MUCH LARGER STORY
Today, TWRA identifies four Williamsport fishing lakes:
* Blue Cat Lake
* Goldeneye Lake
* Shellcracker Lake
* Whippoorwill Lake
The lakes support largemouth and Florida bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, blue and channel catfish, and hybrid striped bass.
TWRA specifically describes Williamsport as a location managed for large bass, with a 20-inch minimum length for largemouth bass.
The property is located approximately 10 miles northwest of Columbia, Tennessee, near the Duck River and Natchez Trace Parkway.
⭐ WHAT MAKES THIS LURE SPECIAL
The combination of markings makes this an especially interesting piece:
✓ TWRA marked
✓ Williamsport Lakes marked
✓ Specifically identified as a “Dedication” item
✓ Precisely dated 11/14/97
✓ Directly connected to the 1997 transfer of Williamsport Lakes to TWRA
✓ Vintage Tennessee fishing/wildlife memorabilia
✓ Unusual commemorative format
✓ Extremely specific historical subject
I have searched for another example of this exact Williamsport Lakes/TWRA lure and have not located another publicly documented example online.
That does not establish a production quantity, so I am not claiming that this was a limited-edition numbered run. However, its very specific subject, date and TWRA markings make it an unusual and highly specialized piece of Tennessee outdoor memorabilia.
🏆 COLLECTOR APPEAL
This would make a fantastic addition to a collection specializing in:
* Vintage fishing lures
* Tennessee fishing memorabilia
* TWRA history
* Wildlife conservation history
* Tennessee sporting collectibles
* Government/agency promotional items
* Williamsport Lakes memorabilia
* Bass fishing history
* Vintage outdoor advertising & promotional pieces
And because the item commemorates a specific historical event, rather than merely carrying a generic TWRA logo, it has a story that can actually be researched and documented.
AUTHENTICITY
Authentic vintage item as pictured.
The lure itself is marked TWRA and Williamsport Lakes Dedication 11/14/97. The historical information regarding Williamsport Lakes’ transfer to TWRA in 1997 is independently documented by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.
CONDITION
The lure is in very nice vintage collectible condition.
It retains its original:
* Painted finish
* Printed Williamsport Lakes dedication markings
* TWRA marking
* Metal hardware
* Blue tail components
* Hooks/components
There are some minor signs of age and handling consistent with a vintage commemorative fishing item. Please study all photographs carefully, as the exact item pictured is the item you will receive.
IMPORTANT NOTE FOR COLLECTORS
I have intentionally preserved this lure in its existing condition. No aggressive cleaning or refinishing has been performed.
For a historical commemorative piece like this, preserving the original markings and components is important.
