Creek Chub Bait Co. introduced a new line of fly rod lures in 1922 (previously thought to  be 1924). They originally decided to number these tiny baits within the regular line of larger bait casting lures.  A 7/8" Fly Rod Bug (Trout) Wiggler was assigned the #1000 series while the slightly larger 1 1/4" Bug (Bass) Wiggler became the #1100 series. Two sizes of Fly Rod Pikies were also offered in the #1200 & #1300 series. These four series were NOT designated with an "F" prefix before the series number (e.g. #1000, not F-1000).
By 1925 Creek Chub added a few more fly rod lures plus some nondescript flies. They also adopted a new numbering system exclusively for fly rod baits. They began with F1 & added new F series numbers as additional designs were developed. Eventually some of the new numbers duplicated bait casting and spinning baits from the #100 through #9600 Original Series.  This could have easily caused some confusion when ordering if not for  the "F" prefix. For example, a #100 bait casting lure is a Wiggler in  Chub finish whereas #F100 is a Fly Rod Pop-It in Chub. The following group represents the entire line of early catalog fly rod lures offered by CCBCo.  It includes the four series offered before Creek Chub added the F prefix. Altogether this company produced 77 different catalog  fly rod lures/colors from 1922 until the 1950's.  NOTE: This total excludes the generic flies offered by CCBCo.  Although studies have been written to describe these flies, they remain  difficult to ID. During the 1960s & 1970s, the company also offered some tiny  plastic lures designed for spinning & fly rod fishing. These are outside the scope  of this study. 

• Although several of these series used different color code numbers before 1925, the numbers used here are from the standardized system adopted by Creek Chub Bait  Co. in 1925.
• Many lengths are taken directly from old CCBCo catalogs. Baits were weighed by me and listed in fractions of an ounce.  
• The F10-16 Feather Casting Minnow series is listed here because of the F prefix. It's obvious by the series name, this ISN'T a fly rod lure! It won't be counted as part of the 77 possible fly rod lures/colors.

A very difficult bait to find in any color or condition. Someone at Creek Chub who named this lure must have possessed a keen sense of humor. Similar in design to the Feather Casting Minnow, but with a shorter body, no spinner & other subtle differences.

F1 Creek Chub Scale
F2 Pikie Scale
F3 Gold Fish Scale
F4 White & Red
F5 All Red
F6 Manchester 
F7 Lord Baltimore 
F8 Silver Doctor

Another inconsistency from the boys at CCBCo. It's obvious by the lure's name it isn't a fly rod bait. I've decided to list it here in case you are trying to identify one. Please remember, this series isn't counted as part of the 77 early  Creek Chub fly rod baits/colors. A very tough lure, rarer overall than the similar F1-08 series listed above. A caution to buyers: Check with an unbiased expert on these two series to confirm if the feathers are original instead of recently retied with replacement feathers. 

F10 Chub Scale 
F11 Yellow Perch 
F12 White & Red 
F16 Goldfish Scale

Not as rare as the previous baits but they are very difficult to locate with all the squirrel tail claws & especially the fragile feather legs & tail. Made in only two color patterns. 

F50 Natural Crab
F51 Tan Crab

 Most Creek Chub collectors have never seen a complete Froggie. Although the body of this lure is wood, the fragile legs are made of rubber. Over the years these legs either disintegrated or fell off & were lost. Finding a specimen with complete legs, even if they are unattached, is a major coup. F80 was the only color made in 1950. A very scarce "picture" box produced especially for this lure is also known, but is rarely seen. 

F80 Green Meadow Frog
F81 Brown Meadow Frog

99% of these lures are found without some or all of their three fragile flexible fins. Although a specimen without any fins can usually be located without exceptional difficulty, a perfect example in mint condition, with all the fins intact, is a major rarity. 

F90 Silver Flash

This bait incorporates a cork body instead of the usual white cedar. After the paint & varnish work was completed, baits were finished with glitter. Bucktail & mallard feathers were then applied. The feathers were closely glued to the body. Oddly, although Chub color is usually a scale pattern on other lures, it is white on this bait. Perch is solid yellow & Brown Bug is actually brown! This series isn't difficult to find. 

F100 Chub
F101 Perch
F102 Brown Bug

A very difficult bait to find, especially in superior condition. A word of caution: Many lure companies produced a similar appearing bait. Consult an independent lure expert to confirm the company of origin for this little beauty. 

F200 Natural Gray Mouse
F202 White Mouse, Red Eyes
F213 All Black

This series differs from all the other fly rod hard-body lures listed here. It is the only design that is an easily identifiable fly. The body is made of cork & the wings are hair. All color combinations are scarce because this lure is so fragile. A well-known rarity associated with this fly is the "picture" lure box made specifically for this series.

F300 Red Wing, Red Body, Red Tail
F301 White Wing, White Body,  White Tail
F302 Red/Yellow Wing, Yellow  Body, Yellow Tail
F303 Green/White Wing, White Body, White Tail
F304 Red/White Wing, Red Body, WhiteTail
F305 Green/Yellow Wing, Green Body, Yellow Tail
F306 Black/Yellow Wing, Black Body, Black Tail
F307 Black/White Wing, Green Body, Black Tail

This is one of four early Fly Rod Series without the F designation. Don't confuse this with the F1000 Plunker Bass Bug series. Although this design was represented in the CCBCo catalogs for over 20 years, they are quite scarce. Most available examples show considerable use. The Bug Wiggler was produced in three sizes: Two fly rod types & one bait casting size. 

1000 Natural Bug
1002 White & Red (Bug)
1013 All Black

 

Years: 1937-1947 — Length: 1" body plus hair — Weight: .07 oz. 

This is the larger of the two Plunker Fly Rod lures. This one has a concave face similar to the Plunkers in the bait casting & spinning sizes. All of the finishes for this & the F1100 series are solid colors (no scale patterns). A listing of two colors (e.g. F1005 Red & White) denotes a red body & white hair instead of the usual red & white painted body. The Fly Rod Plunker is not often available in either size. 

F1000 All White
F1001 All Red
F1002 All Gray
F1003 Black & Yellow
F1004 Gray & Brown
F1005 Red & White

The second series without the F prefix. Made in the same three colors as the #1000 Bug Wiggler Series, but slightly larger. Again,  difficult to find in anything above Very Good condition. 

1100 Natural Bug
1102 White & Red (Bug)
1113 All Black

This smaller Plunker Fly Rod lure is similar to the F1000 Plunker Bass Bug except for the wee size & a flat face instead of the usual concave face. Both sizes have through-wire rigging, which is unusual for such small baits. Any listing of two colors (e.g. F1104 Gray & Brown) denotes a solid painted body & contrasting hair. Overall, scarcer than F1000 Series. The F1102 All Gray and the F1104 Gray & Brown are quite difficult to tell apart.

F1100 All White
F1101 All Red
F1102 All Gray
F1103 Black & Yellow
F1104 Gray & Brown
F1105 Red & White

There were two early Fly Rod Pikie series produced. This is the smaller size. They have a wire staple in the top of the head & many have a wire leader. Examples in Pikie color are sometimes seen. The variations of the F1205 Red Side & Dace seem to be the toughest. No F prefix on this series. 

1200 Natural Pikie
1202 White with Red Head
1205 Red Side

This is another unique shaped bait from the inventive minds at CCBCo. According to fly rod specialists, this is one of the rarest F series, overall. It features a cigar shaped body & perpendicular hair wings that set high on the lure's back. When a lure in this series is listed with two colors (e.g. F1204), the first color is the painted body & the second color is the hair. Seldom seen in any color. 

F1200 All White
F1201 All Red
F1202 All Gray
F1203 Black & Yellow
F1204 Gray & Brown
F1205 Red & White

 One of the many sizes of Pikie lures produced by the Creek Chub Bait Co. Similar to most fly rod baits made by this company, generally scarce. The last of the four series introduced by Creek Chub before they added the F prefix. 

1300 Natural Pikie
1302 White with Red Head
1305 Red Side

Overall, a little tougher lure than the F1400 Series Dingbat. Both series made in the same seven color combos. The smallest size of all the casting & fly rod Dingbats. Uses a #6 hook. 

F1300 Natural Pikie Scale
F1301 Natural Perch Scale  
F1302 White Body, Red Head 
F1304 Golden Shiner
F1313 All Black
F1318 Silver Flash
F1319 Frog

All seven colors of this series can be located with an aggressive search spread over a few years. These baits are slightly larger than the F1300 Series. It's amazing how the artists at CCBCo were able to paint such detailed scale & frog patterns on these tiny baits. Uses a #2 hook. 

F1400 Natural Pikie Scale
F1401 Natural Perch Scale
F1402 White Body, Red Head
F1404 Golden Shiner
F1413 All Black
F1418 Silver Flash
F1419 Frog