Fishing and boating leading conventional outdoor recreation activities among current dollar value added.
In his classic 1981 song, “Are The Good Times Really Over?”, the late country music legend, Merle Haggard, sang, “I wish a Ford and a Chevy would still last ten years, Like they should.” His lament was that finding made-in-America products that can stand the test of time is getting more and more difficult every year. To stand the test of time, a company must produce high-quality products offered at a fair price that both do the job as well as any of its competitors, and that are built to last.
This describes the Al’s Goldfish Lure Co. to a “T.”
Al’s Goldfish Lure Co. celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2022 for one simple reason – the company was founded, and run for decades, on the principle of helping its customers catch more fish by producing lures and accessories that work as advertised, backed by an unconditional warranty.
“When we look back at our company’s storied history, it makes my husband Jeff and I more and more committed to continue to run the business the way our founder, Al Stuart, did for decades,” said owner Mandy DeBuigne. “Jeff and I are ‘fish heads.’ We love to fish and know what it takes to be successful on the water. We’re a small business with a small, tight group of dedicated employees and community partners who love doing their job well, and building tackle. We would like to thank our customers and business partners around the world who have helped to make our dream possible.
Since its start in 1952 by ardent angler Al Stuart with a single product, Stuart’s Goldfish, the company has introduced a number of other very successful lures, but the original Goldfish, the company’s flagship product, holds strong and the company stays true to its original customer values.
Going forward, the company believes its core values will help keep it strong. “We value Jesus, for our blessings and the example of unconditional love,” Mandy said. “We value our veterans and active duty service members, for our freedom and their sacrifice. We value our friends and customers of all backgrounds, races, orientations, and abilities – we don’t care what you look like, where you came from, what your gender is, who you love, or what you can/can’t do – what matters is, do you like to fish? We are committed to making our products right here in the USA, which keeps Americans in our supply chain employed. And we value an honest sale. If your purchase fails beyond the normal wear and tear that happens to a product you are literally throwing as far away from yourself as it will go, let us know; we will make it right.”
Today the company still makes and markets the original Al’s Goldfish, and much more, including several fish-killing lures, ice fishing jigs, Sebago trolling rigs, bottom jigging rigs, and accessories. For a complete look at Al’s Goldfish Lure Company’s entire line, visit www.alsgoldfish.com or give them a call at 413-543-1524.
About Al’s Goldfish Lure Company
The company was launched in 1952 with a single pioneering spoon lure, known as Stuart’s Goldfish, named after founder Al Stuart. The company’s flagship lure was renamed Al’s Goldfish in 1954, and by 1973 the popularity of the Goldfish lure soared to nearly one million lures sold in a year. Along the way, other popular lures, such as the Forty-Niner and Helgy, and hook bonnet lure accessories were added to the company’s list of American-made products. In 2015 the line was expanded to include the Saltwater Goldfish series. In 2022, present owners Jeff and Mandy DeBuigne are celebrating the 70 year anniversary of the Goldfish lure. For more information on Al’s Goldfish Lure Company visit www.alsgoldfish.com.