Ronco Pocket Fisherman

[Glenn MacGrady]

Do you remember Ron Popeil and his late night infomercials for Ronco products?

Having not fished since the 1950s, I'm wondering whether a pristine Ronco Pocket Fisherman would be a good emergency fishing doohickey for amateur anglers on a canoe trip.

I can also get a Ronco Chop-O-Matic, which would be faster chopping acorns in the wilds than my Benchmade Bushcrafter 162 and probably weighs less.

What say you, CTN Borg?

 

[recped]

I say "Ron Popeil, maybe the greatest pitchman of all time".

You can get one "new in box" on eBay for about $50.

I bought a knock off in the 80's, it was total junk but I did catch a modest pike with it. I still have it in a tote of dead camping stuff....somewhere?

I'm skeptical the Chop-O-Matic can handle acorns.

 

[Gamma1214]

I say "Ron Popeil, maybe the greatest pitchman of all time".

I'd say that's accurate. Still, at just $50, grab one up and try it locally before toting it along & depending upon it for sustenance.

 

[tketcham]

I couldn't help but remember this innovative product...

 

[clemency]

I couldn't help but remember this innovative product...

Beat me to it.

 

[Allegheny Tom]

Beat me to it.

Me too.

 

[ppine]

Good idea. In remote country all you need is a hand line.

 

[Glenn MacGrady]

I say "Ron Popeil, maybe the greatest pitchman of all time".

Were his commercials on TV in Canada?

 

[recped]

Were his commercials on TV in Canada?

Of course, Ronco was very active in Canada, the music division (bet you didn't know Ron was also in the record business) even released compilations specific to the Canadian market.

Of course back in those days Canadians had a choice to watch 2 Canadian channels (a third is some markets) and/or the three US networks. The overwhelming majority of Canadians lived close enough to the border to receive US TV with a rooftop antenna and many just with rabbit ears (if you didn't mind a bit of distortion).

 

[Boatman53]

I’m not a fisherman but the Tenkara rods are intriguing, compact and simple. I don’t have a good website to share but there is a lot of info on the web.
Jim

 

[Gamma1214]

...back in those days Canadians had a choice to watch 2 Canadian channels (a third is some markets) and/or the three US networks.

Wait... you got 5 or 6 channels?! Wow. We got two unless one of us went up on the roof & twisted the antenna. Then we could get a third but, of course, we lost the first two until it was twisted back.