Lure of the Month- Streich Bait Works Flex-O-Mino (Streich 1 ) Joliet , Illinois

Streich's  Flex-O-Mino  February 2012  Lure Of the Month

The Flex-O-Mino was patented March 4, 1924. Paul B. Streich's  Mfg. Company was located at  -708 west Jasper Street Joliet , Illinois. These minnows were made up of a glass eyed heavy  metal head with an attached  rubber body.Streich specifically noted in his paper work that the body was made of good live rubber. The overall weight was 5/8's of an ounce. Paul Streich claimed that this 5/8 0z. bait casts  the same a 1/2 oz. tournament casting weight due to the air resistance encountered by the Flex-O-Mino which neutralizes the extra 1/8 oz. in weight.Originally the tail portion of the body would have been attached to the curved part of the single hook.The hook was able to pivot from side to side while remaining attached to the head allowing for the body to have a lifelike swimming motion. The single hook could be removed without the use of any tools. 
  These baits are difficult to find good condition. The rubber seemed to get brittle and become detached from the head. Often times all that remains of these are the metal head and hook portion.Streich paperwork lists style A- Red Head white body, Style B-Copper head white body, Style C-Nickel head white body. Although not listed in my paperwork, I have seen this bait in solid Black as well.
Paul Streich was a true Sportsman interested in preservation of the fish population. His lure box paperwork reminded fisherman to wet their hands before returning fish to the water. He also made a point to explain that in the rare event that his bait would catch a small fish ,his single hook arrangement would seldom injure a it.
 The Flex-O-Mino is the first Streich lure I'll be featuring in  three Streich's posts.The Acro-Bait and Flexo-Mite will follow. Pictured above is a boxed Flex-O-Mino with a 1925 Streich Bait Works letterhead. 
  I collect early miscellaneous lure company letterhead. I'm always looking to buy or trade for examples I need.