Ritchie plugs

Plugs were used for casting or trolling for Northern Pike or as they are locally known, jackfish, in Waskesiu and Crean Lakes. 

Several local “shacktenters” made their own plugs. The plugs on display were made by Roscoe Ritchie between 1950 and 1980. His portable cabin was U8. Other models were made and sold by “Grandpa” Van Impe. 

If you guessed that these were made from curling broom handles you are correct. They were painted a variety of colours to lure the fish. The marks on these “experienced” hooks would be from jackfish teeth.

Emails from Mr. Ritchie’s daughter and grandson in 2018 corrected the name spelling and address for the Ritchie cabin as U8. Daughter Priscilla mentioned that the hooks were painted in her basement on top if the freezer and that the freezer lid turned the same colour as the plugs!