Remembering Bob Baird
I’m not certain of the exact circumstances that led to my being introduced to Bob Baird …either I called him or he called me about a piece of old tackle. What I do remember is talking for just a minute or two about the item in question and then spending an hour or so chatting about all kinds of things …from family, to politics, to our businesses …general getting to know one another kind of stuff. When I hung up the phone I knew I’d made a new friend …albeit one that lived very far away (I am in Connecticut, Bob was in Utah). As near as I can figure, that was around the year 2000.
Over the ensuing years Bob and I became the best of phone pals. We both worked on Saturdays and sometimes got bored. With no one in his shop for him to talk to or in my office for me to talk to, we would call each other and chat until one of us needed to get back to work. Sometimes we’d chat for a few minutes, sometimes for well over an hour. We’d chat about everything imaginable, and Bob, as some of you no doubt know, did most of the talking. Once Bob got rolling there was no stopping him …not that you would want to stop him, as he was a marvelous story teller …very charismatic, with a wonderful sense of humor and a positively infectious laugh. We agreed on most things and on those occasions when we didn’t we always valued each others perspective. Sometimes one of us would call the other just to get an opinion on something we were working on …we liked bouncing ideas off one another.
For those of you who did not know Bob or had not heard of him, Bob was one of the world’s foremost art glass restoration craftsman …doing work for collectors, museums, chapels and auction houses all over the world. Bob was also a skilled and diverse tackle maker, creating unique fly reels, lures, bamboo rods and also leathering old creels. His work was top-notch and he was “the man” to seek if you had an old reel that needed restoration or a part made.
On September 26, 2011, Bob passed away, in his shop. The world lost a good man that day …a Vietnam veteran, a father, a friend, a confidant, an artisan, a fly fisherman … an immensely talented individual. Bob was bigger than life and one of the most engaging people I’ve ever spoken with. I wish I’d met him.
For those of you who did not know Bob or had not heard of him, Bob was one of the world’s foremost art glass restoration craftsman …doing work for collectors, museums, chapels and auction houses all over the world. Bob was also a skilled and diverse tackle maker, creating unique fly reels, lures, bamboo rods and also leathering old creels. His work was top-notch and he was “the man” to seek if you had an old reel that needed restoration or a part made.
On September 26, 2011, Bob passed away, in his shop. The world lost a good man that day …a Vietnam veteran, a father, a friend, a confidant, an artisan, a fly fisherman … an immensely talented individual. Bob was bigger than life and one of the most engaging people I’ve ever spoken with. I wish I’d met him.
~ Click On Pictures To Enlarge ~
Here are a few of Bob’s creations …

This 2″ Reel Is The First One Bob Ever Made And Is Internally Marked “R.M. Baird, #1″. The Tarnish Is Due To The Use Of Coin Silver For The Plates And Crank While The Foot Is German Silver With A Brass Crossbar, The Counterbalance Is Brass With A Decorative Agate, The Hardware Is German Silver And The Knob Is Finely Turned Horn. Bob’s Logo Was A Diamond …Note How He Worked Diamonds Into The Shape Of The Crank. Like All Of Bob’s Creations, This Reel Is An Absolute Jewel. I Like That It Looks 100 Years Older Than It Is.

Bob Frequently Used Sterling Silver In His Lures, As Is The Case With Most Metal On This Lure, With The Exception Of The Hook.

The Blade Is Beautifully Decorated With Bob’s Version Of A Pattern That Has Been Found On Vintage Reels, Lures, Match Safes And Oilers. Collectors Refer To It As The “Hieroglyphic” Pattern.
The “Diamond Baird Lure Company” Maker’s Mark Is A Diamond With The Letter “B”, Which Can Be Seen Twice On The Spinner Blade.
Photos of Bob courtesy of Dudley Murphy.
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This 2″ Reel Is The First One Bob Ever Made And Is Internally Marked “R.M. Baird, #1″. The Tarnish Is Due To The Use Of Coin Silver For The Plates And Crank While The Foot Is German Silver With A Brass Crossbar, The Counterbalance Is Brass With A Decorative Agate, The Hardware Is German Silver And The Knob Is Finely Turned Horn. Bob’s Logo Was A Diamond …Note How He Worked Diamonds Into The Shape Of The Crank. Like All Of Bob’s Creations, This Reel Is An Absolute Jewel. I Like That It Looks 100 Years Older Than It Is.

Bob Frequently Used Sterling Silver In His Lures, As Is The Case With Most Metal On This Lure, With The Exception Of The Hook.

The Blade Is Beautifully Decorated With Bob’s Version Of A Pattern That Has Been Found On Vintage Reels, Lures, Match Safes And Oilers. Collectors Refer To It As The “Hieroglyphic” Pattern.
The “Diamond Baird Lure Company” Maker’s Mark Is A Diamond With The Letter “B”, Which Can Be Seen Twice On The Spinner Blade.