Oklahoma Aquarium's special fishing lure exhibit

The Oklahoma Aquarium is scheduled to open March 1st, and one of the featured attractions is an antique collection of fishing tackle, valued at more than $4-million. <br><br>Karl and Beverly White donated

Friday, January 17th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

The Oklahoma Aquarium is scheduled to open March 1st, and one of the featured attractions is an antique collection of fishing tackle, valued at more than $4-million.

Karl and Beverly White donated the collection and as News on Six meteorologist Dick Faurot found out, itâ€™s the result of a lifelong passion for fishing.

Karl White is a biologist by training but a fisherman at heart. Heâ€™s been fishing most of his life but it was a visit to a gun museum that got him started. "8 years old, saved for first fishing lure, saw Davis Gun Museum. Thought there has to be a place like this for fishing too." Whiteâ€™s successful business gave him the resources to pursue his passion and he says thereâ€™s not much missing from his collection. "Premier collection in US, don't think anybody will touch what I have. Tried to get everything possible related to fishing".

While no one can â€˜touchâ€™ what heâ€™s done, there are a lot of people who â€˜wantâ€™ what heâ€™s done. "I have seen collectors go to fisticuffs, people take this pretty serious." And heâ€™s had a lot of opportunities to sell his collection, but "turned down so many offers, unreal, but wanted it to stay in Oklahoma. Tulsa basis of all sport fishing, BASS Incorporated here, Don Butler, Joe Kreeger, Hull and Zebco. Wanted it close by where I could take care of it."

Whiteâ€™s wife has a stake in keeping the collection close by. Fishing was what they did on their first date and sheâ€™s supported his passion ever since. "Heard about a man who had a lure and also wanted to buy some land. He did not have the down payment for the land, so I sent him a check for $1000 so he could get the land and that lure was Karlâ€™s Christmas present that year."

And if you think heâ€™s done collecting, think again. Once a collector, always a collector. â€œNever stop, maybe a dozen lures I am looking for this is my lifeâ€™s blood."

A special reception in honor of Karl and Beverly is being held at the Aquarium Saturday evening. The display will be viewable for all when the Aquarium officially opens at the beginning of March.