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In 1926 Al Pflueger Sr. opened a small taxidermy shop in Hallandale , Florida. Al Pflueger developed a new method utilizing a hollow mold to fit the specific size and species of fish to be mounted, His process resulted in a form much lighter than the earlier plaster forms. His new lighter molds were great for business and resulted in a more realistic looking fish mount that was far easier and economical to ship than the earlier heavy plaster mounts. This was important especially when many of the mounts Al created were of large Saltwater fish such as Tarpon, Sailfish or even the relative of the White Marlin named for Al Pflueger Sr. the Longbill spearfish (Tetrapturus pfluegeri).
When Al Sr. passed away in 1962 his son , Al Pflueger Jr. took over the business and enlarged the facility and at one time employed 200 people. It is said that Pflueger taxidermy was the largest facility of its type in the world and mounted over one million fish. Al Pflueger Jr. is most well known among salt water anglers. He won many tournaments and the title of Master Angler in the Rod & Reel club of Miami Beach. He also wrote the best selling book the Fisherman's Handbook. He even had the honor of having an artificial reef named after him. Al Jr. has retired and sold the business.
I've heard that back in the day fisherman would occasionally confuse the Pflueger firms. Some looking for the Akron Co. to mount a fish and others requesting reel repair from the Florida taxidermist. Hopefully this will help sort out the Famous Pflueger families for Lure collectors. Although unrelated, both Pflueger families deserve recognition as pioneers in angling history.
