Larry The Bear

LarryTheBear.com is the handmade fishing tackle business of Danny Root, a Minnesota maker who creates wooden fishing lures and ice spearing decoys inspired by the look of traditional, brush-painted designs. Each piece is made by hand rather than mass-produced, and is intended for fishing use as well as display in a home or cabin. The selection includes decoys in varied sizes and fish-inspired styles, along with wooden lures, including muskie lures.

Durability and performance are central to the products. Lures use one-piece stainless-steel through-wire, sealed with marine epoxy, and receive at least three protective top coats. Decoys are tested in water, weighted to encourage swimming action, and fitted with aluminum fins secured using marine epoxy or lead. Danny hand-paints each decoy with a brush and uses USA-made hooks, wire, and paint when possible.

Products are available through the website and at The MacRostie Art Gallery in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, which carries some muskie lures and decoys. The business guarantees everything it sells and accepts returns for any reason.