I have several collections going from material I have found washed up at the Falls of the Ohio State Park. Among them is this collection of fishing bobbers or floats. I like fishing paraphenalia and also have an artificial lure collection going as well. The floats are stored in a polystyrene box that once was used to ship medical supplies.
Here’s the box’s contents laid out on my backyard concrete pad. I try to save one example of each type and size that I find. This is a good representation of bobbers used for fishing in the Ohio River. Other than being tools with a serious purpose, I like the fact that these are also objects that mediate between two different worlds…one of air and the other of water. Their function is to alert the fisherman that a fish is interested in the bait. There is a moment of tension as the bobber slips below the surface of the water and pops back up as the fish “nibbles” the bait. Complete submersion is a good signal to pull the fishing pole up and set the hook. My collection has several popular styles of bobbers, clip-ons, stick, and peg types in a variety of eye-catching colors. I like the ones that have been modified for night fishing with the taped on addition of a glow stick. I have found a few novelty fishing floats as well…the SpongeBob float might work, but I’m not sure about the Power Ranger one!
Here’s a detail showing some of the variety. I’m sure several of these originated on small streams and creeks that are a part of the Ohio River watershed. Each one represents a lost opportunity for the fisherman. What I don’t keep for this collection gets used to make my art. I like using these floats for eyes in my figurative sculptures.
Last image includes a trio of smiley face floats in the three different sizes that I have found so far. I suspect that there is also a large version out there waiting to be picked up.
“Each one represents a lost opportunity for the fisherman.”
That’s kinda funny, when I loose a float I go get it because mine cost so much!
Jacksonville fishing
I hear you Capt. Dave! I get upset if I lose fishing tackle too and that’s why I pick up all the river gives me. Some of which I can salvage and add to my own tackle box. Thanks for the comment!
really nice ones. remembers me to my early years, when started fishing.
best regards
Skorprion
forgot..
most of shown floats are.. and were not available in Europe ;( …
Especally the smiley-floats are really great!
Thanks Skoprion…I love to fish too even if I catch nothing. I need to update my fishing gear pictures because I have many more. Thanks for your comment.