Lures/Baits/Artificials
Toby Study
Toby
Study
A work in
progress which all will appreciate I'm sure!
Thanks to Mike, Hans and Uffe
Please feel welcome to contribute and improve this article.
ABU Toby and Variations
1955
to the Present!
General Observations
What better way to
start off the history of the famous Toby lure is to quote directly from the
man himself, Len
Borgström's introduction to the creation of the Toby in his
biographical "ABU and Garcia - What happened?"
Another lure which may be ABU's best selling lure to date, is Toby. We presented
it in the 1956 issue of Tight Lines/Napp och Nytt. I got the idea for this lure one
time while fishing for sea trout in Denmark. It was meant to resemble a Tobis
fish (a small slender minnow) . However , when we made the protypes, we had some
difficulty making this narrow lure move naturally in the water. At this same
time, we had this lure called Torsjo, with small wings that increased the
surface area and thus improved its buoyancy in the water. So, we added
these small rectangular wings to the next Toby prototype., which greatly
improved the the lure's movement through the water. However, when one of our
designers saw the wings, he decided to shape into more realistic fins. This
improvement made the lure more elegant as well as more fish-like. If one doesn't
first attract the angling public to the lure, the fish will never have a chance
to see it. This lure was so successful and attractive that for a long time it was
part of the ABU logotype.
It is undisputed that
the mastermind in the actual design/construction phase of the original Toby was
Ove Soldemyr.
Wayne,
It is absolutely correct that the designer mentioned in my book, who came up
with the idea of making the “Torsjö” wings in the shape of fins, was Ove
Soldemyr. I at one time had the original Toby prototype. I gave it to the ABU
management to help in a copyright fight, and it was never returned. I have tried
to trace it but nobody now knows what happened.
Len
Further to another e-mail question to Len Borgstrom
Re. TOBY.
I thought that the following might be an interesting part of the TOBY
story. As I have mentioned before, the idea to make TOBY came from fishing
for sea run brown trout off the coast of Denmark.
The shape was to make it look like a “tobis”. That is the name of a small
slender baitfish which used to be plentiful in
Scandinavia. As we at that time sold a lot of
different fishing lures in the USA
via Garcia Corporation, I showed the prototype to Tom Lenk, the Garcia
president. I mentioned that we planned to call the new lure TOBIS and
explained why. Tom’s immediate response was: “Why not call it TOBY? That is
easier to remember!” That is how TOBY got its name!
Len
This is an interesting point Len, as I said later somewhere, the Toby was marketed
to successfully attract American buyers. Tom was very helpful this
suggestion! Wayne
Personal Observations
I find it fascinating that in all advertising I have observed, Toby has
been referred to as a separate entity itself and Spoons are a category in which all
other types were grouped together. Toby then, was always thought of as ABU's standout
or flagship lure as it was in fact a spoon itself.
Next, after Toby's introduction, it was ten years before it was deemed
advantageous to add colour to the TOBY range. Unnecessary up till then, as the
brilliant shaping was just what the fish wanted, and incidentally still want.
Perhaps it was the fisherman with an eye for colour who was the target ?
For what it is worth I use a range of colours now, conventionally dark on bright
sunny days and the most reflective colour on dull days. Not rocket science but
for a beginning lure fisherman, it is useful information. This was explained in 1976 TL catalog
(see below).
Toby was such a sufficiently good bait and well known trademark image of ABU,
that they annointed it further by created fishing awards bestowed on and
for
Dreamtrip Winners. The pinnacle of these award would be the boxed
Gold/Silver Toby with bejewelled eye!
The last, perhaps obvious after Len's explanation above, observation by myself is that it never officially was known as
anything other than a Toby or a Toby (something) in all markets for all time.
Many other lures "lost" their original Swedish sounding names when placed into
English speaking markets like UK and USA.Toby then was perceived to be able to
stand on its own 2 fins so to speak!
Finally copying is considering the greatest form of flattery
My friend Hans
from The Netherlands tell me the most significant competitor to Toby was a
Solvkroken
'Odin' spoon
from Norway .
It entered the market in the 60's and was removed in the 80's so its
life was limited and never able to compete on the long term with
Toby. The more shallow S bend has been seen as causing a better fluttering
action. I have never tried the two lures against each other, but that fact that
Toby is still for sale indicates appreciated by many anglers.
Mike (The Welsh ABU Sleuth) has been most helpful in sharing Toby
information and images to improve the quality here.
Derrik Figge (ABUfreak) also has been kind enough to share some images of
his rare Toby lures.
Prototypes/Variations
to Marketed Product
My friend Uffe Edefuhr
who had close contacts at the factory since boyhood (like me more than 50 years
ago) shares this information.
Today I talked to my friend Bert Nilsson from Asarum in Blekinge! He
was working many years together with Ove Soldemyr! In fact the protos of the
weedless Toby that you now have were made by Bert! He told me about the goat hair
that he attached to the metal thread on the protos! I did not know that he was
in this position working close to Ove!
All these
photos are of the same four lures. They represent some sort of progression of
the many Toby lures in the developmental stages.
One can see initially a
single hook on an ordinary K , 18g Toby, then stainless steel spring wire added
to protect the single hook.
Both of these 18g Toby
lures had the rear of the Toby merely bent to accomodate the single hook. Later
models had the more usual elongated hole which would allow the single hook to
pass through the body of the Toby without adversely affect flow of water around
rear of lure.
The third image of an
18g Toby actually has a simple treble hook placed in these elongated holes made
for the weedless version. Purpose unknown?
The final image is a
MIB version which was actually sold as the 28g Toby Vas Weedless in S.
This is a nice progression of the marque, unfortunately
the prototypes, crafted by Ove Soldemyr after Len's very first ideas, are missing,
unlike the beautiful original blanks I have of the famous Krill lure in my
collection.
This Krill Study will be the
subject of another lure study as time permits.
The
Toby(s) Noted as Unusual
Apart from the purposeful
test/prototype variations noted above, some
other strange
product has been found, due largely to the fact that the staff were encouraged to
experiment and learn from their experiments. Some Toby lures have been found
with no scales, some without branding and others with reverse moulding of the
ABU Toby brand mark. All of these would have been created by enthusiastic, fun
loving
workers on the production line and would never been intended for sale.
When I am capable of
photographing the tiny one-off Toby 4g (but weighing 8g)that was made of double
thickness metal with consequent minimal strike from the mould due to thickness,
I will add it here.
Design
improvements and modifications were ongoing as ABU never rested on their
laurels. They constantly sought improvement and the Toby is testiment to this
fact. I have several of the testing prototypes from Bert above as well the
aforementioned difficult to photograph, previously unknown subject of
double thickness 4g size but 8 g weight Toby which was probably created for
Gote Borgstom
as were his special consignment double thickness Island lures.
The fact that it not materialize into large scale production indicates
lack of effectiveness. My testing now indicated it loses some of the Toby
action/wobble due to density.
Smorgasbord of Toby Packaging shown above as lead in image,
shows different eras, different
production locations and different
target markets.
They ranged initially
from cardboard boxes with clear hard plastic covers, to mere cardboard hangers,
which ranged in colour from green to yellow to variations of blue. In the USA
one often saw a type of injection moulded light plastic bubble covering a
cardboard base.
Along with the ABU Killer
and ABU Hi-Lo, the Toby was one of the first 3 ABU lure models I ever bought in the mid 60's
and have continued to use to the present due to their effectiveness! So almost 55 years
in production for ABU and nearly 45 years productivity for me! Needless to say , the
variety of size/density variations (via length and weight changes), colour
options and hook-sets were enormous.
Now getting started
after my preliminary observations!
Please reference
the main Metal lure and Toby Colours here
Some painted/annodized colours found on a
few later
Toby lures are here in the generic ABU lure colour list.
HISTORY
In
the beginning, 1955 was the undisputed year of Toby's first creation. It is in the
right era for the "Lill" lures so why not call a 7 g Toby "Little". Mike will
find his empty box and include a picture here. Steen apparently has a
number of these boxes , all empty! So was the intention to market the 7g Toby
changed after the boxes were printed? who knows? Anyone who has a "Lill Toby"
would be most welcome to please contact me and post a picture here.
Looking
back to the first catalogs I will show here some images from the first in 1955. For five
years, until the end of 1959, the only offering was the Silver plated 7g 60mm
and 18g 90 mm long versions, complete with the orange tipped triangular fins.
In 1960 the Silver 12g
75 mm version was catalogued
Breaking
news from Len Borgstom....re ABU's relationship with Killwell and the famous
Toby lure sold in New Zealand
See
Kilwell New Zealand engraved/pressed into original ABU Toby
Daffy and Glimmy lures
Wayne,
Kilwell is owned by John Wells and his younger brother Jeremy.
Kilwell was the exclusive agent for ABU during my time.
Because of import restrictions a long time ago, John Wells actually came
to Sweden to learn how to make lures.
I think that we supplied the first stamping tools.
He worked at the plant for 6 months and stayed as our house guest. This
must have been around 1960.
Annika and I were in
New Zealand
maybe 10 years ago visiting John and Jeremy.
We went fishing with John and had a great time.
I have no idea who is the ABU agent now.
I also do not know if Kilwell still make the Toby.
I do not think so.
Fond regards! Len
More to
the info from friend Darby when searching their current website
"Kilwell Sports is a privately owned company
established in 1933. The company is a manufacturer and distributor of
fishing tackle, firearms and outdoor related products. Our wholesale
division distributes a huge range of product for resale in retail outlets
throughout the country. In addition to marketing and distribution of its own
product brands, KILWELL SPORTS represents an impressive list of leading
brand fishing and hunting product... which presumably from Len's info above
, included the famous A.B.Urfabriken or ABU as we fans know it!
Then in 1961 , we saw
the introduction of the Silver 15g 50mm long version to the line-up
In 1962 , I see a
lure number designation was introduced and the Toby was catalogued as # 12 200.
The range stayed constant in this year and 1963.
1963
The Toby is imported and sold by Garcia. The
range was limited to one colour - the original Silver/Red Fins (S) in sizes
1/4 oz., 3/8 oz. and 5/8 oz. Thanks Mike
Sample USA packaging from
different eras are below
By 1964, we saw the
range explode in variety. Now we have 7g 60mm, 10g 60mm, 12g 75mm, 18g 90mm, 28g
90mm sizes in Colours S G K Z
My
first Toby spoons bought were all 28g S in 1965, as these suited my windy local
conditions for surfcasting and spinning from rocky headlands. They would cast
long distances and sank down deep. I do not remember seeing the Golf Copper and
Black versions in my local Aussie tackle store at this time. Wayne
1965
There were no catalogue changes this year.
1966, the colours of D, T and BGL were introduced to the 12 g and 18 g sizes.
BGL
was to become a favourite of mine due to closeness in colour to local baitfish.
1967 and 1968 sees Toby
earn a whole page in the Tight Lines catalogues with 6 illustrations, depicting
also the Toby Weedless version available in 12, 18 and 28g size in colours S G K
Z. For the lightest 5 Toby's S/G S/K are also newly introduced colour
variations.
Advertizing says "Often
imitated but never equalled!"
In 1969, Toby once
again receives a new whole page in the catalogue, with the introduction of the Salmo Toby 30g and 110 mm long. Record catches in Europe are also noted.
The range doubles in size
due to the introduction of the colour Blue/Silver, a beautiful colour that
was specific to Garcia in America. Thanks Mike
By the
Toby's 15th Anniversary in 1970 , 51 different size and colour variations
were available.
By 1972 , I count over a hundred different
size, colour and hook-set variations are available
which is an enviable
record never matched by any lure from any company in the world , I
suspect! makes my 35 or so look a little lacking! Ah but I do have a couple of
Toby prototypes otherwise unavailable!
1973 saw the justified and spectacular claim of
World's Most Efficient all-round lure! i have to admit if stuck on an island, it
would be these as 1sst , 2nd and 3rd choice I would be taking to survive with.
The range in the USA is
expanded yet again and now additionally includes Blue/Silver/Red dots (BGL),
Gold/Red Fins (G), Flourescent Red and Chartreuse. The size 1 oz. was also
introduced. Picture of chart supplied by John Fishkat from Garia Annual 1973
1974 Toby was nominated as the
World's Must Lure! The Scottish ghillie and his Toby story is worth
reading here.
The 1/8 oz. size was
introduced in USA
1975 With editorial hyperbole,
Toby was called a Must lure with a mastermind.
No other essential changes to the range.
1975 Toby Röding/Toby Char
The Toby Röding was sold in one size only, 15 g / 77 mm, in the colours BGL
(Bluegill), YP (Yellow Perch), SR (Silver Red) and S/SV (Silver Black.
The BGL, YP and SR were sold for 5 years 1975 - 79 and the S/SV for 2 years
1975-76.
In 1976, the Toby Char was
again introduced and advertized with the conventional Toby group as well
as the Ice fishing perk line-up.
It was released in 15 g 90mm
length weight for only BGL, YP, S/R, S/SW colours. I was basically
the same old Toby lure but with a different hookset. In this case the single
shaft double barbed bronze hook was set on a piece of monofilament about 90mm
long. To my mind it was merely a renamed Toby Roding but I will appreciate
knowing if I am missing something here.
Incidentally, 1976 also saw a wonderful piece of
fishing advice to help novice and experienced fishermen alike utilize the huge
array of lures produced by ABU.
The explains and teaches lure choice is not a
random one, it should be carefully considered based on lure action and many
other variables.
1977 Toby Roding with single
hook
1978 saw Toby Smash
was the brainchild of the year.
Advertized as a "jewel of a lure, in both looks and value on your line. Its an
18g Toby with flaring, flashing, reflex scales that really draw the fish from
afar." It was available only on G S K Z Toby lures with a thin gold stripe
colour added.. For what it was worth, an once in my life I was ahead of the game
by attaching Silver
and Gold mylar adhesive tape, all be it much wider than ABU used, on my Toby
lures and others as early as a couple years before this, just as soon as the light
flashing sticky metal/plastic tape was available.
1979 saw Toby and Ellips
co-released on the next page to perhaps uplift the importance of the new lure,
along with Toby Salmo in the colour BGL.
1980 Toby including Smash and Weedless
and the relative newcomer Ellips were once again paired on the
same page to be
seen as the choice of lure with 81 varieties available.
1981
sees ABU-Garcia take its lure production offshore and to the far east.
Questions
on this matter produced these very helpful responses from different PF
Managers in Sweden and France.
Hi Wayne,
The manufacturing of all lures was moved to the Far East in 1981.
Best regards,
Anita Enarsson
--
Abu AB
SE-376 81 Svängsta
SWEDEN
Hi Wayne
We do not make any lure in Japan
anymore, but basically we can say that spoons and spinners realisation have
been moved from Sweden
to Taïwan. Actually we even moved to
China
later but for the Swedish market, for which high quality is key, we came
back to Taïwan in order to be sure to follow exactly the original Swedish
standards. R&D is made in Europe, and based
on an exchange between the Swedish team and me, supported by our pro teams
when it comes to field tests. Otherwise we have quality inspectors directly
in the Asian factories to ensure the quality and the consistence.
Hope
it helps. Any question I remain.
Regards
Sylvain
Manager PF (European Division) France.
So here we see
samples of old packaging below to the left with 10g Toby G and Far eastern
packaging to right for 12g Toby K.
My experience in fishing
initially with these
lures from the far east in the 80's , is that they work equally as effectively as a Swedish
Toby made the previous year at Svangsta. Obviously they have the new markings
and different cheaper packaging with the added bonus our hip pocket nerve will
not be damaged as badly as it might have been. The collectability factor will no
doubt be affected and older "classic" Toby lures (and all the Swedish
lures) will maintain a premium price, based on availability, production run and
condition.
To my simple
eye, something of the aura of the old classic ABU Toby has been lost for
multiple reasons
*Such a range of Toby
variations has been created that we wonder what ever happened to the always
effective Classic Toby, Toby Vass, Toby Smash that seemed to be all we ever
needed. In 2009 one would need a Fishing caddy and cart to carry a range of
the current crop of Toby and variant lures.
* Such a
multitude of colour variations created over this last next 29 years since
going offshore to Asia, may not only dazzle and confuse fish but also
fishermen
*And most
important to my friend Hans: the very
regrettable loss of the genuine silver color! Today this is not the very
fish-like silver but mirror- like chrome.
* Today in the 21st
century, I feel the lures are being created because technology allows such
a myriad of variations.
* I feel PF marketing
has thought it has to compete with other brands which will
produce the razzle dazzle holographic creations
* I have not seen most
because my tackle shops cannot afford to stock all the range, certainly in
any numbers anyhow!
* Toby Sono is one
variation I would love to test but NEVER saw it for sale.
Someone please send me some!
* I certainly imagine
one will be equipped with Nano technology before long, literally with bells
and whistle ie fish attracting sounds and lights.
* Certainly the
tactile/sense of mouth feel is being addressed with soft body variants along
with taste/smell characteristics.
* Catalog pages created
with high quality are just a magnificent smorgasbord of visual delights
* Marketing at PF may
have lost sight of the definition of the PERFECT/BEST etc
. Hey people we are already there and you must find new ways to impress this
on new generation of fisherpersons who will buy the classics if made aware.
I hope I am doing this here for you without causing too much angst from my
constructive criticism.
* I just do not know where we go from here,
but I will always use my classic Toby!
1981 Toby Fly was introduced,
along with the continuing Ellips presence as an insert.
1982
1983 Different photograph, same
offerings this year
1984 Toby Tiger introduced
pictorally this year with YE but no written listing till next year.
1985
Toby Slim is the new kid on the block this year and Toby Tiger is acknowledged
as having been produced in 5 weights 7g, 10g , 18g, 20g, 28g coloured ORD as
well as YE
Actually the Toby Slim is - just like the later Toby Rocket - precisely the
shape of the real ‘tobis’ (sand eel), the fish it was set out to imitate
originally in the mid fifties, an attempt that did not succeed at the time,
because the narrow lure was not found to have a suitable action.
1986
1987
Toby Slim is still the relatively new kid on the block this year, shown
off in its four colours of S/R, S/S, S/K, S/B along with the Toby Fat
resplendent in S K and Fluro/Or !
1989
1990
1991
No mention of Toby
1992
Japanese catalogue page
1993
1994 No mention of Toby
1995 More
new colours but a possible significant fish catching development with
the SONO . Will someone please send me some to test. Never saw them for
sale. I will pay!
1996 No
changes
1997 More
new holographic colours, S/R, S/B, G/Gr and K/B
1998 No
mention of Toby
1999 UK market Tight Lines Catalog,
myriad of new colours.
Co-produced international
catalog called ABU Garcia
2000 Tiger
Orange colour new in Toby and Toby Vass
2001 More
new (interesting looking ) spotted colours as well as the thinner meaner
looking Toby Rocket, meant to imitate the sand eel. Remember just 46
years ago Gote Borgstom created the Toby to represent the sand eel baitfish
known as a 'Tobis' in
Sweden.
2002
2003
Variations now too great for me to record, please click on hyperlink to
enjoy this frenzy of colour!
2004
2005
2006
2007
To be continued....Any
offered contributions (error, omission or new material) gladly received.
If you have any other
Toby lures, particularly Toby Fly, Toby Salmo, Toby Fat or Toby Tiger that are
mint or boxed, and are un-needed or
doubles in your collection and are available for
swapping
or a reasonable fee, I would be
very pleased to hear from you.