Welcome to Part 3 of our frequently asked questions about Len Thompson lures.

1. I bought some Len Thompson last year in Ontario and your factory prices are a lot more than I paid. Why don't I get a deal buying directly from the factory?

   By selling directly to consumers from the factory, we are risking seventy years of goodwill with our retailers. The Internet allows us access to consumers that our retailers wouldn't normally reach. We trust our retailers understand that we must fill the gaps and ensure that avid fans of Len Thompson have all the spoons they need. Selling direct from the factory is a service only - we want to make sure that retailers of Len Thompson have every reasonable opportunity to make the sale to the consumer. By setting our internet prices at full retail, we encourage Canadian consumers to buy our spoons from a local retailer if they can.



2. What else do you make?
   • True North Electric Food Smokers and Accessories.

     Priced right and optimally sized, True North electric food smokers, wood, and cure are available across Canada through Canadian Tire, Wal-Mart, Home Hardware, True Value, and leading outdoor retailers. Check our retailer links for purchasing information.

   
   
   • Gibbs Fishing Tackle

     Our brother, Syd Pallister, manufactures Gibbs fishing tackle in Burnaby, BC. His products include salt and freshwater lures, nets, lead weights, and accessories (flashers, dodgers, lake trolls). Gibbs, Canada's oldest tackle manufacturer (established in 1908), sells well known products like the Minnow, Crocodile, Gator Spoon, Toronto Wobbler, Kitamat, Koho, Ruby Eye & One Eye Wiggler, etc., throughout Canada and the United States. Check out the Gibbs web page at www.gibbsfishing.com.

   
   

3. I notice that the Platinum Series has a ring and swivel on the front of the spoon and the Original Series doesn't. Should I add a swivel to the front of my Original Series spoons?

   Good observation. Don't worry, we didn't forget to put the swivel on the No. 2 YR. With the exception of our large No. 4 spoons, all "Original Series" lures are assembled without swivels. The swivel is an added touch (for the more expensive Platinum Series and No. 4 spoons) for those anglers who prefer to tie "directly" on to the lure. The swivel, however, is not necessary... particularly if you use snap swivels or leaders. I personally find the swivel on the "Platinum" spoons bothersome. (I rarely tie line directly to the spoon unless I have run out of snap swivels.) We generally fish with snap swivels or leaders as they make changing colors and sizes easier.



4. I'm heading North to chase big lake trout. The camp recommends Len Thompson, do you have any suggestions as far as color patterns are concerned?

   You simply can't go wrong with Yellow and Red five-of-diamonds. There are many anglers who fish Canada's North and use nothing else. Personally, I like Nickel Blue and Flame & White and remember big spoons often lead to big fish.



5. Do you manufacture a weedless version of your incredible spoons?

   No. However, there are a few things you can do to help reduce the amount of weeds you catch. First you can purchase after-market hooks with weed guards. You can also replace our treble hook with a single if you wish. Lastly, an angler suggested one could tie a rubber band on to the front of the lure and attach it to the barb on a single hook. The hook then rides under the belly of the spoon and is almost totally weedless. We haven't tried this but it sounds like it has potential.



6. What size of lure should I use to catch Lake Trout?

   No. 2 is a good sized spoon for both trolling and casting. We only make one size larger (No. 4) and it is more of a trolling spoon and requires heavy gear to fish. However, many lake trout anglers and guides would recommend you carry a few of the larger No. 4 spoons as well.



7. What is the difference between your large trolling spoons... the No. 4 and No. 16?

   The No. 4 is a traditional, smooth spoon and accounts for 95% (+) of our large spoon sales. The No. 4 is perhaps one of the most famous lures for lake trout and large pike. (We are also told it is a great muskie spoon... we don't have any muskie in these parts to test this theory.) The unique shape and dimples of a No. 16 differentiates it from our No. 4 spoon. It is also a very good spoon, however, it is fished best with a downrigger or some type of weight to keep it down. For what it's worth... whenever I fish in waters where large spoons make sense, my first choice is a No. 4P NB.



8. Do you give tours of your facility?

   Yes, Monday through Friday during typical working hours... just check (phone 403-782-3528) to see if someone is available.




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9. I am looking for a spoon that will have great flutter action when stopping the spoon letting it flutter down. What size and weight would be best for this presentation? I will use the spoons mainly for Pike fishing here in Colorado and wanted to see what you would recommend as being your best spoons for Pike.

   Len Thompson lures were developed in the Canadian Prairies pike fishery. We're confident whatever spoons you choose will be productive.

   I assume you've looked at our website. We don't try to trick the consumer with hundreds of paint jobs, preferring to offer only a few that we know work well. I personally like Red & White for Pike, but all colors will work on certain days. I imagine you have your favorite colors and you'd be wise to stick with them. Match the size of the spoon to your equipment. If you have a medium/heavy rod and reel, I'd start by throwing a larger spoon like No. 2 ( 1 oz) because there is some truth in the old adage large lures large fish. Most people have medium equipment and that's where our sizes 00 (1/2 oz) and 0 (5/8 oz) fit in nicely.

   If I had only one spoon to choose I would personally recommend our No. 13 in Red & White, Flame & White and Yellow & Red. They have terrific action. It seems consumers don't like the bumps. They are difficult to find in retail stores but are available on the website.

   I agree with you - an angler must pause the lure on occasion and let it fall back. I believe this forces any fish following the spoon to make a decision.




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10. I am looking to replace the treble hook on a couple of my No. 2, 1 oz. spoons. What is your size recomendation for a treble hook and also if I replace with a single siwash hook instead?

    We use Eagle Claw #675M-1/0 - 3X Strong trebles for our No. 2, 1 oz spoons. If forced to use singles, I prefer the singles with the offset hook (Eagle Claw #085M - Nickel Shank, for example). This is because I do a lot of casting... I believe a single siwash only works well when trolling with heavy gear. The size could range between 3/0 (for smaller fish) and 6/0 (for larger fish and fishing gear).




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11. Which way should a single hook be facing when substituting the treble hook with a single hook?

    Single hooks should be assembled so that the point of the hook loops in toward the concave (inside, unpainted) side of the Len Thompson lure.




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12. Are there plans to make a spoon bigger than the No. 4? I believe that the Len Thompson spoon has the best action and balance of any spoon on the market. If only I could get my hands on a bigger one.

    We often get asked if we plan on building a bigger Len Thompson and we fully understand there is a market and a use for the larger spoon. I can only assume that Len Thompson spent countless hours modifying and testing his lures until he came up with the best combination of size, weight, and shape. The key is producing a mega spoon that is worthy of the Len Thompson brandname. Hopefully, we'll get around to it someday. Until then, please be satisfied with dragging the No. 4 spoons... they work exceptionally well.




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13. Do you make the new hammered patterns (50/50 Hammered Brass & Flame (BF) and Hammered Perch (PE)) in the largest size No. 4?

    Sorry, not at this time.




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14. Do you make Palco P2B commercial spoons?

    Interestingly enough, Palco was owned and operated by a Pallister out of Sooke, BC. "Pallister" is not a common surname yet this Pallister was of no direct relation to our family.

    Palco had a fire in their factory and lost a number of moulds. However, Nikka Industries still has a few spoons in stock. You can contact Nikka at (604) 271-6332 and ask for Mike Eng.




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15. Can you suggest a terminal rigging setup up for steelhead fishing, casting from the shore in the Great Lakes using your spoons -- line, knot, swivel/leader, weight etc? (The Len Thompson yellow - red five-of-diamonds is one of the most successful steelhead lures in Georgian Bay.)

    I'm not very knowledgeable about steelhead fishing... particularly Great Lakes steelhead fishing. The little steelhead fishing I have done has been on the West Coast. Most recently, my brother Syd (from Gibbs Tackle) and I had a great day on a river near Terrace.

    There was 'nothing fancy' about my rigging... I used a knot I can trust with a strong/large snap swivel so the spoon could wobble freely. I believe Syd used a snap swivel as well. (Our family has always used snap swivels. It seems rather low tech, but it works and it simplifies changing lures.) We both caught some tremendous fish. I had success with our 50/50 Nickel Blue pattern and Syd was using a Silver Gibbs Ironhead or Ultra.

    FYI - Our most popular "Steelhead" size is probably the No. 00 - 1/2 oz... although a friend of ours who fishes the mighty Thompson prefers the large No. 2 - 1 oz. I believe Great Lakes anglers may prefer the smaller No. 8 - 1/4 oz spoon in some areas. One can never go wrong with 5 of Diamonds, however, Green Frog (GF) and 50/50 Nickel/Blue (NB) are also good patterns. Straight Brass is also popular with steelhead anglers. I imagine 50/50 Hammered Brass/Flame (BF) is also a great lure for steelhead.




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16. I'm looking for very large fishing spoons for Alaska. Do you have any 8 to 12 inch spoons?

    Our largest spoon (No. 4) is about 5" long. Gibbs (www.gibbsfishing.com) produces a 7" 'Canoe' spoon. Please contact Gibbs for details.




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