Early Midg-Orenos
One of my "side" collections include early South Bend Midg-Orenos. While not the most glamorous, collecting these small baits have provided years of enjoyment as well as a bit of sentimental value. As a young teenager just getting into collecting, a family member gave me an early Midg-Oreno in the box to add to my small collection. I still have this bait and it was the starting point for this collection. I'm not aware of too many collectors of Midg Orenos which probably explains the low prices realized for these lures. My collection consists of earlier models produced from 1933 to 1949 which have glass or tack eyes and sport cup hardware. For some reason, I never really had a liking for the later, post 1950 South Bend baits with carved/painted eyes and surface hardware thus my collecting interests has focused on the earlier years of production. In this discussion, I'll share my knowledge gained throughout the years regarding this little, somewhat overlooked South Bend bait. Much of this info has been gained through books including "South Bend their artificial baits and reels" by Jim Bourdan and Terry Wong's identification and value guide to South Bend Fishing Lures. These two books, in my opinion, are a must have for any South Bend collector. Furthermore, Pete Bernhart has been a great help in providing info on South bend products...thanks much for all the insight. Another great resource for South Bend info is Marie Munson's website www.southbendcollector.com.
Introduced in 1933 as a light casting bait, the Midg-Oreno is 2 1/4" in length and weighs in at a whopping 3/8oz. I have to assume that the Midg-Oreno has to be one of the smallest and lightest baitcasting lures (as opposed to fly rod lures) offered at the time. These tiny baits must of been a challenge to cast even to the most seasoned baitcaster. Furthermore, during this time frame (1933-1950) spinning reels had not yet made the full impact as would be seen in the 50's, 60's and beyond. The Midg-Oreno was produced at least into the 70"s with the bait being made by companies that eventually purchased the South Bend name (Gladding, Luhr Jenson) in wood and plastic. As with all South Bend baits, none were produced during the war years of 1943,44,45 and 1946. After the war, production was limited until around 1950 when many new baits were introduced with many new colors, packaging and new hardware configurations. In the paragraphs to follow, hardware, color patterns, rarity and markings will be detailed as well as photo illustrations of the aforementioned characteristics.. Midg-Orenos were packaged during this era in what is known as the "bold Letter" box and is pictured below. The photos shown throughout this page can be "clicked" on to enlarge and reveal additional information.
Introduced in 1933 as a light casting bait, the Midg-Oreno is 2 1/4" in length and weighs in at a whopping 3/8oz. I have to assume that the Midg-Oreno has to be one of the smallest and lightest baitcasting lures (as opposed to fly rod lures) offered at the time. These tiny baits must of been a challenge to cast even to the most seasoned baitcaster. Furthermore, during this time frame (1933-1950) spinning reels had not yet made the full impact as would be seen in the 50's, 60's and beyond. The Midg-Oreno was produced at least into the 70"s with the bait being made by companies that eventually purchased the South Bend name (Gladding, Luhr Jenson) in wood and plastic. As with all South Bend baits, none were produced during the war years of 1943,44,45 and 1946. After the war, production was limited until around 1950 when many new baits were introduced with many new colors, packaging and new hardware configurations. In the paragraphs to follow, hardware, color patterns, rarity and markings will be detailed as well as photo illustrations of the aforementioned characteristics.. Midg-Orenos were packaged during this era in what is known as the "bold Letter" box and is pictured below. The photos shown throughout this page can be "clicked" on to enlarge and reveal additional information.
Hardware and Eyes
Throughout the years, South Bend baits went through many changes regarding eyes, By the 20's, glass eyes were the standard yet by 1934, most baits were transitioned to painted tack eyes. With production of the Midg-Oreno starting in 1933, glass eyed Midg-Orenos were only produced for a year or two thus making glass eyed models tough to find. Below is a picture of a few glass eyed Midg-Orenos. From 1935 to 1949 (excluding the war years), painted tack eyes were utilized. Midg-Orenos produced from 1933 to 1949 used screw eye with cups (cup rigging) for hook attachment. From 1933 to 1942, these cups were painted. The paint on the cups, due to wear and tear, is usually chipped and damaged on many baits found, often with the paint gone altogether. From 1947 to 1949, the cups were not painted. This detail, along with other characteristics described later, is a key in dating Midg-Orenos as well as other South Bend baits. Baits produced after 1950 have carved or painted eyes and a few differing variations of surface mounted hook rigging.
Paint Patterns and Markings
Midg-Orenos were cataloged in many color patterns throughout the years with some patterns lasting throughout the life of the bait while others being offered on a few short seasons. Furthermore, many variations occur on the same color code as will be shown below. In 1933, the glass eyed Midg-Orenos were offered in codes BW (black arrowhead white body), P (Pike scale), RY (red arrowhead, yellow) SF (scale finish, green blend), Rh (red head, white body)and Yp (yellow perch). Shown below are all the cataloged colors for the Midge-Orenos for the years 1933 to 1949. As with many South Bend baits, patterns not shown in the catalogs for a specific bait are found. A few of these uncataloged colors are shown below including R frog, RB rainbow blue back, and W white body with spots (code W was offered in 1951 but not in the tack/glass eyed era). Any of these non-cataloged patterns are extremely difficult to find. The pictures below can be "clicked" on to reveal further info on the specific color pattern such as rarity, years produced and color variations.
Most Midg-Orenos are or were marked on the back. Markings were placed on the top of the bait, just behind the eyes. I have some that have no marking but, as with many South Bend baits, the markings are very faint and in my opinion, probably have worn off over time. One important note on the markings is that baits produced from 1933 to 1942 are marked "Midg-Oreno" while baits made in 1947,48 and 49 are marked "South Bend Midg-Oreno". The baits from 1947,48 and 49 also do not have painted cups thus making dating on the Midg-Orenos fairly simple. Glass eyes/painted cups=1933/34, tack eyes, painted cups with "Midg-Oreno" marking=1935-1942 and tack eyes, non painted cups and "South Bend Midg-Oreno"=1947,48,49. Baits from the post war time (1947,48,49) seem to have many variations in paint scheme and patterns when compared to the baits produced prewar. Also, due to the limited production of the South Bend factory post war, colors for these three years appear limited to staple patterns such as green scale, pike, yellow perch and red head/white. Starting in 1950. many new colors and patterns were offered with many/most of the patterns from the 1933-1942 era being discontinued.
Most Midg-Orenos are or were marked on the back. Markings were placed on the top of the bait, just behind the eyes. I have some that have no marking but, as with many South Bend baits, the markings are very faint and in my opinion, probably have worn off over time. One important note on the markings is that baits produced from 1933 to 1942 are marked "Midg-Oreno" while baits made in 1947,48 and 49 are marked "South Bend Midg-Oreno". The baits from 1947,48 and 49 also do not have painted cups thus making dating on the Midg-Orenos fairly simple. Glass eyes/painted cups=1933/34, tack eyes, painted cups with "Midg-Oreno" marking=1935-1942 and tack eyes, non painted cups and "South Bend Midg-Oreno"=1947,48,49. Baits from the post war time (1947,48,49) seem to have many variations in paint scheme and patterns when compared to the baits produced prewar. Also, due to the limited production of the South Bend factory post war, colors for these three years appear limited to staple patterns such as green scale, pike, yellow perch and red head/white. Starting in 1950. many new colors and patterns were offered with many/most of the patterns from the 1933-1942 era being discontinued.
South Bend Uncataloged Midg-Oreno?
Many collectors as well as a few books describe the baits shown to the left as a non cataloged version of the Midg-Orenos. This bait is slightly shorter, has a smaller diameter, has a tail hook as opposed to belly hooks with most being found with glass eyes. These baits are only slightly larger than a trout oreno. All I have seen or had have a split ring on the line tie and sport unpainted cup hardware.These little guys are very tough to find and have been found in quite a variety of patterns. I've been asking every South Bend collector I can find to get some info on these. According to veteran South Bend collector Pete Bernhart, while contributing to Jim Bourdon's book he and Jim Bourdon came to the conclusion that these were possibly a precursor to the Midg-Oreno offered during the glassed eyed era. Pete informed me that he found a handful of these on a salesman sample board. Their inkling was that South Bend was looking to make a smaller version of the Babe Oreno. Due to the extreme small size and possible "action" issues due to the small size, the larger Midg-Oreno was developed. Unfortunately, no collectors I have talked to have found one in a box so much speculation exists. It is possible that these were made specifically for a retailer/wholesaler. Whatever they are, they are very tough to find . Additional pics are provided below.
Unusual Midg-Orenos
Here are a couple of odd Midg-orenos I have found. These are carved eye models (post 1950) which have only 1 treble hook attached by a screw eye hanger and no rear hook. As shown, they do not appear to have been drilled for surface hardware typical of Midg Orenos of the carved eye period. Both have "Midg Oreno" stenciled on the back. I have seen a few of these around and personally think they are a special order of some sort but do not have any concrete evidence as to such a claim. A few collectors think these are salesman samples in which the hook was added. Any info on these oddballs is certainly welcome.
Here are a couple of odd Midg-orenos I have found. These are carved eye models (post 1950) which have only 1 treble hook attached by a screw eye hanger and no rear hook. As shown, they do not appear to have been drilled for surface hardware typical of Midg Orenos of the carved eye period. Both have "Midg Oreno" stenciled on the back. I have seen a few of these around and personally think they are a special order of some sort but do not have any concrete evidence as to such a claim. A few collectors think these are salesman samples in which the hook was added. Any info on these oddballs is certainly welcome.
