old 10" rapala

[walkthedog]

I was just given an old 10 inch rapala with gold star foil finish. It is new in "plastic bag" package, that reads "Finlandia Lure 10 inches". The lip of the lure has imprint (on diagonal) that reads "Finlandia uistin". It's a gorgeous old lure with hand painted eyes and mouth. Anybody familiar with this one? Age? Availability? Value? Thanks, Jim

[Jason]

Dont no a whole lot about these ,, But Finlandia Ustin is the name of these baits . They arent Rapala . This is one of the companys that were puttting out baits in the 60's to try and help keep up with the demand for Rapala's . Maybe one of the guys here that are from Finland can give you a more exact answer on this .

[Fishooked]

*bump*

[Fishooked]

This might give you some more info on Finlandia Uistin, hope this helps -

www.nilsmaster.fi/en/index.html

[walkthedog]

Thanks - to both of you... interesting to learn that another Finnish company was producing something so close to a Rapala back in the sixties. I did visit their current website, and see that they still mfctr some Rapala-like lures. Thanks again. Jim

[Fishooked]

May 18, 2009 16:07:23 GMT -4 walkthedog said:

Thanks - to both of you... interesting to learn that another Finnish company was producing something so close to a Rapala back in the sixties. I did visit their current website, and see that they still mfctr some Rapala-like lures. Thanks again. Jim

Yeah, and thanks to you to, because in looking up that info, that reminded me that I wanted to try out some Nils Master lures, or at least look for some - sorry I moved the original post on ya ... You were probably like this >>>

[Jason]

May 18, 2009 16:07:23 GMT -4 walkthedog said:

Thanks - to both of you... interesting to learn that another Finnish company was producing something so close to a Rapala back in the sixties. I did visit their current website, and see that they still mfctr some Rapala-like lures. Thanks again. Jim

Finlandia was actually working with Rapala to produce these lures . Rapala by them selves could not keep up with the demand . There were also a few other companys at that time putting out these look alikes .

[janeggers]

Hi guys,

Haven't had time to look for a few days on the website and just saw this thread about the big Nils Master lure. I have fished with it in many countries and also caught 20 lb plus pike with this big lure in Canada. Because I have been at many sportfishing shows like the EFTTEX, I always had the possibility to talk with the owners of Finlandia Uistin, better known as Nils Master, and they are Hannu and Kalevi Kangas. Have fished with them at the Kalkkinen rapids and visited the company several times. Perhaps interesting to know that their present production is done in the old Rapala premises and the Rapala and Kangas families are good friends.
I remember one interesting story: in 1983 I was fishing with some managers of Rapala in the Aland archipelago between Sweden and Finland and fishing for pike was a hard job. The pike, the Finnish word is hauki, were not cooperative and at a certain moment the Rapala export manager at that time, my good friend Pertti Rautio, put a Nils Master lure on his leader and.... started catching some nice pikes. Better proof that they produce good lures I cannot give.
Funny to see two excellent lure companies starting in the middle of nowhere in Finland.

Jan Eggers

[Fishooked]

Speaking of Nils Master, do they not have anymore balsa baits available in the USA?

Their NilsMasterusa.com site only seems to have metal or ice jigging lures only..

[walkthedog]

Jan,

Thanks for the information and stories... nothing like a good fish story!
I live in Central Florida now, but still make trips to Canada (Ontario & Manitoba) to fish for musky and northern pike. I have to admit that Rapalas have not been high on our list of lures to use for big pike, but will definitely try this 10" Finlandia lure.
Our most productive baits have been large Doctor Spoons, mid-sized Grandma Baits, and a variety of hard jerk baits... (big soft plastics have been hot in heavy weeds).
I would love to make a "pike" trip to Finland someday. We really like secluded lakes and rivers. Is that still a possibility in Finland? Thanks, Jim

[Fishooked]

May 20, 2009 15:22:48 GMT -4 walkthedog said:

Jan,

Thanks for the information and stories... nothing like a good fish story!
I live in Central Florida now, but still make trips to Canada (Ontario & Manitoba) to fish for musky and northern pike. I have to admit that Rapalas have not been high on our list of lures to use for big pike, but will definitely try this 10" Finlandia lure.
Our most productive baits have been large Doctor Spoons, mid-sized Grandma Baits, and a variety of hard jerk baits... (big soft plastics have been hot in heavy weeds).
I would love to make a "pike" trip to Finland someday. We really like secluded lakes and rivers. Is that still a possibility in Finland? Thanks, Jim

Jim,

Not even Super Shad Raps?

I'll admit, Ive never fished for pike (or even fished any lakes that had a considerable pike population) but that might be one of the first ones I'd try...then again I am biased LOL

[walkthedog]

I confess... I do have a super shad rap in my pike/musky bag. I do throw it on occasion, but as with most fishermen, I quickly revert to my confidence baits if I don't see results in a few minutes.

However, I grew up in Wisconsin, fishing lakes and rivers for smallmouth and walleyes. I still remember when my uncle Jim showed us youngsters the new lure he was going to use on a river trip (probably early 60's)... a small Rapala. He outfished everybody, and the rest was history.

Inshore fishing in Florida now (for reds and sea trout, snook, etc) the Skitter Walk and the Twitchin Rap are go-to baits. Just talking about it makes me want to go load-up the kayak! But it's raining. Might go anyway. Later. Jim

[janeggers]

Hi Jim,

If you ever want to make a pike trip to Finland, just let me know for I can easily arrange some good contacts of travel agencies and guides overthere. The problem is that there is so much water, like lakes, rivers, rapids and not to forget the brackish water of the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Finland that you don't know where to start.
My favourite pike, and especially big pike, countries are Ireland, must have been there at least 40 times and here you find the strongest pikes of the world. I dare to say that after having caught pike from 19 countries and more than 1000 over 100 cm, say 40 inches.
But the best place for a lot of big pike is the Taltson River that drains into Great Slave Lake and on the 6th of June I am going there again with 7 good friends of which 6 have been there before and I am really longing for this trip. Best lures are spoons like the one oz Dardevles. Mepps Syclops size3 and Len Thompson 5 of Diamonds. Just spoons with one treble, barbs flattened and when we use jerkbaits, Rapala's and other plugs, we fish with one treble, just remove the others for this makes unhooking much easier and when you can catch 100 big pikes per day per person, it doesn't matter to miss a few...
When I am back home on the 15ht of June I will make some stories about this trip and give more information about the lodge we are going to, best lures and I hope a lot of pictures of BIG pikes. have some patience. Enough for now,

Jan Eggers

[walkthedog]

Thanks Jan. I will share your info with the rest of my fishing group. I had to chuckle when I read your comments about Ireland. My wife went to Ireland a couple of years ago with my sisters and one of my brother-in-laws. I opted to take a separate Canada fishing trip, so I didn't go to Ireland. Now you tell me that it is one of your favorite places for big pike!
I'll have to see if my wife is ready for a return trip. Do you think she'll notice if I bring a rod case?
Looking forward to seeing your photos from the Talston River trip. In the mean time, I think I'll look it up on Google earth.
Regards, Jim

[Fishooked]

May 27, 2009 9:52:45 GMT -4 walkthedog said:

Do you think she'll notice if I bring a rod case?

[digga]

This 10" lure, was it a Nilsy or possibly an early Garcia? I know Garcia did some 10" copies of Rapalas.