The Lazy Dazy Bait Company was a thriving Preston, Minnesota business in the 1950s and ‘60s! The fishing lure entrepreneurship was located upstairs over the businesses on Fillmore Street on Preston’s downtown square.
The late Richard Hovelson who was a virtual “walking history book” for most of the small towns in Fillmore County, told me that the founders of the business were Stan and LaVeta Nelson and Al and Ann Ellinger. Richard was a longtime employee of Ebert’s Hardware in Preston and he said the store carried the beautiful, hand-painted lures and that they were very, very popular.
The daughter of the Nelsons, Helen (Nelson) Buche, supplied me with more interesting information about the company. She said the original lures were made out of wood. In later years they introduced the plastic lures. They were made using a process called “injection molding.” She said she has many of the “regulation lures,” as well as several of the ones her father developed and that he tried out. She said they are in a myriad of colors and have “wild designs.”
Helen said some of the people employed there were Ila Mae Olstad and the late Anna Marie Roche, as well as several others.
Just listening to Helen describe the lures makes me want to see each one of them in her collection!
Helen said she would welcome any questions you may have about the lures and you can reach her at (651) 224-3246.
They still are quite desirable collectibles. If you are lucky and have the patience to search for them you can often discover them at antique shops; flea markets; garage sales; and even online auctions.
Have fun searching for them – they are definitely “a keeper!”
The captivating ad you are glancing at is one of three. The colors in this one are yellow and green and they match the colors of the carton the lures were packed in.
The person who designed the advertisement was a talented individual and included a catchy little phrase below the descriptive words – “SPINNING, CASTING, TROLLING, FLY ROD.” They read: “Lures With Action… For Fishing Satisfaction.”
Below the large words: “LAZY DAZY LURES,” smaller words explain – “SUCCESSOR TO NATURE’S MINNOW.”
We are not done yet talking about this fabulous business of the past in Preston as there are two more advertisements to study, so please, stay tuned!
G. Russell says
In 1954 Mr. Donald Scanlon was the principal of Preston High School.
He told us members of his Social Studies Class that we should visit local businesses. I chose to visit the LAZE DAZE fish lure production facility located over the Austin Meat Locker and ice cream parlor in the downtown area.
The business was owned and operated by Stan and LaVeta Nelson who lived in an upstairs apartment near the school.
They said that their lures were unique in that they had a fish scale design painted on them.
They had puzzled for a long time trying to find a way to make that design. Stan said that on a hot summer night the wind blew the bedroom curtain across his face and he jumped out of bed and tore down the curtains as he ran out of the apartment on his way down to the business. When his wife caught up with him he was busy spraying shinny paint screened through the curtain unto the lures.
Viola! Fish Scales!
Contributed by Gary Russell, PHS Class of 1954
Gary Russell says
In 1954 Mr. Scanlon was the principal at Preston High School. He encouraged his Social Studies students to visit local business owners.
I chose to visit Stan and LaVeta Nelson’s Lazy Dazy bait factory located above the Austin Locker and Ice Cream Store.
The Nelson’s were a cordial couple that lived in an upstairs apartment near the high school. They said that their lures
were unique in that they had a ‘fish scale’ finish. They had puzzled for years as how to develop that design. Stan said
that one hot summer night the wind blew the bedroom curtain across his face–he jumped out of bed, tore down the
curtain and ran for the production shop. The answer had come to him! He sprayed the lure with a shiny coat thru the
curtain material. Viola! Fish scales!
When his wife got to the shop she understood why he bolted out the door in the night with the curtains.
Rick Fischler says
It’s important to keep this info up to date.
History helps preserve the Art of adventure. I’m
happy to have found these comments made.
Please continue… Rick Fischler
Anonymous says
My understanding was Kautzky threated Lazy Dazy with patent infringement, over the Ike series of lures.
None the less the Dazy lures are beautiful.
Rick says
3-21-24
I just found a box for the lures mentioned. Now the hunt is on
Warren D Brand says
Really enjoyed reading this article. My dad used these for years and I still have some. I live in Fort Dodge, Iowa where the last Lazy Ikes were made before the factory burned down. Loads of lures from the fire were hauled to the local landfill and were scarfed up by many different people. The KAUTSKY family owned it. They were a local sporting family who owned a Sporting Goods Store here for many years. I stumbled upon a Lazy Ike box at a garage sale, and it has Preston, MN on it, that’s how I came across your article. Would be very interested in any future articles Thank You
Gary Ellinger says
My Grandfather, Albert Ellinger, started the wooden plug called the LAZY IKE. My Dad and Grandfather decided to make it quicker to sell, they came up with the plastic plug called the LAZY DAZY. The patent for LAZY DAZY was stolen by KAUTSKY of Rochester. The name that now appears on the Lazy Dazy.
Anonymous says
Hi Gary,
Thank you for this information! People love learning about the awesome Lazy Dazy Bait Company. It certainly has an interesting history!
Dianne K. Ruud
Bob Ellinger says
Al and Anna Ellinger were my grandparents. My dad Don bought the company in 1956 and sold it in 1962. Helen Nelson Buche passed last summer according to your post. Anyone wanting more Lazy Dazy info can call me at 972-979-5247. Bob
Anonymous says
Hi Bob, Thank you for your reply. I am sorry to hear of Helen Buche’s passing. Thank you for the information you supplied regarding the Lazy Dazy Bait Company! My readers will appreciate it so much! Dianne K; Ruud
Heather Ellinger Claterbaugh says
Albert and Anna were my great grandparents! I would love to know more. I just recently found out about this and have also raised another generation of fishers and hunters.
Anonymous says
Hi Heather,
Well your great grandparents certainly owned an interesting Lazy Dazy Bait Company! The lures are amazing and I wish you all the best as learn more about that fabulous company!
Dianne K. Ruud
David Gartner says
Thank you for a great article. I have quite a few of them.
Anonymous says
Hi David,
Glad you enjoyed the Lazy Dazy Bait Company article. There will be two more coming your way!
And thank you for your interest in reading my column, much appreciated!
Dianne K. Ruud
Rick Fischler says
3-21-24
I just found a box for the lures mentioned. Now the hunt is on