Novelty lure gifted to the outdoor writer Sheridan Jones by the South Bend Bait Co. Still retaining its original crisp hang tag "Guaranteed Intox-Oreno Warranted to exhilarate the appetite and arouse the emotions of good-fellowship", this 3 5/8" lure was never produced for sale. Rigged with good glass eyes and a single treble hook, concealing a small "secret flask", designed to hold an alcoholic beverage during the era of Prohibition (1920-1933), the back section screwing off for opening. Intox-Oreno was "factory" handwritten on the left side, in near Ex condition, with the exception of what appears to be a decades old over-paint on the 5/8" tail section, now with a hook mark and age lines. Protected in a Pike-Oreno target box. This exact "bait" is pictured on page 20 of "The Life and Legend of Sheridan R. Jones". Only a scant few are known - for the South Bend Bait Co. collector or historian, it doesn't get much better than this.

From the Sheridan Jones Collection.

Referred to as "America's pioneering outdoor writer", Sheridan Jones (1881-1958) was certainly one of the most respected and prolific angling writers of his era. Many of the lures offered in this auction, where noted, were personally owned by Jones. Several were given to the esteemed author and outdoor writer for his professional opinion, others as gifts by lure makers vying for his favor. Stated best by author Joseph Hilko in his 2010 book The Life and Legend of Sheridan R. Jones: "Jones' legacy as an educator, naturalist, professional writer and world-class angler is worthy of remembrance today".