FRESNO, Calif. (KMPH) – An unusual discovery on the dry lake bed at Shaver Lake. A tackle box dating back to the 70s is well preserved.
It wasn’t that easy to open. After sitting on the bottom of the lake 30 to 40 years it took a knife to pry it open. Inside you find some well preserved fishing gear.
Don Dukleth with Southern California Edison made the discovery. “When we were recording the mill site for historic purposes we found a tackle box that was fairly intact with a name and address that could be easily read and the materials inside of it were in good shape.”
The Sears three tray tackle boy, guaranteed not to break for five years, belongs to Jim
Reynolds of Sanger. We Googled the name and discovered a James Reynolds from Sanger died in 2010 at the age of 62.
If James is Jim he’d be happy to know you can still read the labels on the split shot #4
weights and the Balls O Fire salmon eggs. The fishing scale is still in good shape — ditto for the knife and red and white bobber.
“We haven’t found anything else like that down there that I know of. Lots of modern trash and this was modern trash so I figured we’d pick it up, carry it out and figure what to do with it later,” said Dukleth.
Shaver Lake has been empty for months so Southern California Edison can place a new liner on the dam.
Any family member related to Jim Reynolds of Sanger should contact Southern California Edison to claim the tackle box.
Follow-up
Reporter Rich Rodrigues told Southern Fishing News more information was discovered after the story aired on KMPH television news. “There were four guys in the boat when it capsized in 1972. They all made it to shore. Jim Reynolds (the owner of the mystery tackle box) and two others are now deceased. The lone survivor, John Wate, says he recognizes the tackle box and he remembers the day vividly” Rodrigues noted.
This story and images are re-published with the express written permission of KMPH Television News and may not be reproduced without such permission from same. The layout and PDF file of this story are property of Southern Fishing News and may not be used without request and publishing permission. Thanks much.
By Rich Rodriguez, KMPH News
