Nancy Simpson, of the Greater Kent Historical Society, stands by a display of classic Fenwick fishing rods on exhibit at the Kent Historical Museum. MARK KLAAS, Kent Reporter

Nancy Simpson, of the Greater Kent Historical Society, stands by a display of classic Fenwick fishing rods on exhibit at the Kent Historical Museum. MARK KLAAS, Kent Reporter

Catching the history of famed Fenwick’s roots

Named after a lake in Kent, company began here and became a giant in the fish pole-selling market

Kent is where the very first can of Carnation Evaporated Milk was manufactured, a brand that would go international.

It is where Boeing engineers created the NASA lunar rover, allowing Apollo astronauts to roam and explore the moon.

What many people, even experienced anglers, haven’t realized is that Kent is where the Fenwick fishing pole originated, a rod that’s widely known and sold worldwide today.

“How many communities can say that? A product that started here, owned by local people,” asked Nancy Simpson, president of the Greater Kent Historical Society, a nonprofit group that operates the Kent Historical Museum. “I think that’s important for people to know. It might not seem much to you as a reader that a fishing pole was built here, but with sales around the world, I think that’s important.”

It’s a story brought closer to life at the museum, with an exhibit that has exceeded expectations. History of the Fenwick Fish Pole – its development, manufacturing and sales of an early Kent company – opened April 6. It remains open until June 30, but Simpson plans to extend the temporary exhibit’s stay because of its popularity.

“We’ve had more people at this exhibit than we ever have had at any other exhibit,” Simpson said.

The museum is stocked with classic rods, reels, lures and other fishing gear. Newspaper clippings describe how Fenwick operated – from infancy to its years of travel and change. Many items are on loan, including a selection of lures from Tom Harwood, an antique lure collector.

Fenwick’s past can be traced to the Pacific Northwest in the late 1940s, a time when the state produced fishing rod-making pioneers, like Don Green, Clarence Shoff, and Lamiglas. Fenwick would become part of history.

Fenwick was founded in 1952, named after the lake in Kent. Shop was originally set up in an unused double garage on Lake Fenwick, where five Seattle businessmen and avid flyfishermen put post World War II material to use. Fenwick was an early pioneer, the first to produce a fiberglass fishing rod that proved resistant to corrosive salt water.

Soon, Fenwick earned a reputation for making high-quality, durable fishing rods, snagging nearly half of the fishing market.

Phil Clock, an energetic marketer, bought the Kent company and moved it to Westminster, Calif., in 1968, changing its target to meet the needs of bass fisherman. The company would go on to produce and sell the first all-graphite fishing rod in 1973.

Fenwick continues its tradition of meeting specialized needs of avid angler. Its designers, engineers and pro staffers continue to develop sophisticated fishing rods, known as “the most thought-out fishing rods in the world.”

Visiting

The museum, at 855 E. Smith St., is open noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.

Learn more at gkhs.org.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in Life

t
City to begin major renovations at Kent Commons Community Center

Work on $1.5 million project to start soon to upgrade recreation facility

t
Spring is near as nesting eagles return to Riverbend in Kent

Eagles can be spotted near Riverbend Golf Complex and along the Green River and Interurban Trail

t
Kent YMCA to offer free Community Day on Saturday, Feb. 24

Facility will be open noon to 3 p.m. to all for swim, gym and other activities

Voiceover actor Kat Cressida will visit Auburn at Unlock the Con on Feb. 17-18 for meet and greets, an exclusive dinner with a Q&A panel and a Sunday “Brunch with the Bride.” (Courtesy photo)
Disney voice actor Kat Cressida to host meet and greet in Auburn

Tickets are available for this two-day fandom event at the Outlet Collection’s Unlock the Con on Feb. 17 and 18.

t
Performers wanted for return of ‘Kent Has Talent’ show

Registration starts Feb. 1; auditions March 23-24; show set for May 23

t
Cider & Ale Trail coming to historic downtown Kent March 8

Event to feature cideries, breweries, distilleries from Washington and Oregon

Construction at the Snoqualmie Casino. CAMERON SIRES, Sound Publishing
Snoqualmie Casino expansion inches closer to completion

Convention space, ballroom and 210-room hotel to be completed by 2025

The Seattle Dykes on Bikes at the 2023 Making Strides of Seattle breast cancer walk. Courtesy photo.
Lesbian motorcycle club offers community and security

Membership continues to grow for the first Washington state chapter of Dykes on Bikes.

t
Lots of Toys for Joy gifts donated, distributed by Puget Sound Fire

Gifts included nearly 3,850 toys; 1,050 stuffed animals; and more

Image courtesy King County Library System
KCLS releases best books list of 2023

Librarians are always reading — here’s their top picks for this year.

t
New pastor to deliver Christmas message at Kent Lutheran Church

The Rev. Tormod Svensson first new pastor in 24 years at the downtown church