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The Heddon River Runt Identification & Collector's Guide
Changes and Additions

Last Update: July 28, 2022

Thank you for purchasing the Heddon River Runt Identification & Collector's Guide by Thomas Jacomet and Dennis Boulais and published by Whitefish Press! As a benefit to purchasing this book, we are providing this web page of changes and additions to the book that have come to our attention since its publication. We suggest you bookmark this page and check back from time to time to see the latest updates. Feel free to print this page to supplement your book!

7/28/2022 ADDITION

Chapter 26 (page 110) - Series DD9400, Deep Dive River Runt Spook: In the uncataloged colors listing chart, before "White/Red Head", add "Golden Shiner", 1977-1982 CODES column, add "DD9400VGO", RARITY COLUMN, add "4".

Code: DD9400VGO
Name: Golden Shiner
Pictured: Deep Dive River Runt Spook in Golden Shiner. This particular model was made the River Runt Spook Floater body (3") and all have the angled diving lip

7/28/2022 ADDITION

Chapter 27 (page 113) - Series DD9010, Midget Deep Dive River Runt Spook: In the uncataloged colors listing chart, before "Fluorescent Red Horse", add "Crackleback Orange", 1962-1971 CODES column, add "DD9010CBO", RARITY COLUMN, add "4", ANGLED LIP COLUMN, add "X"

Code: DD9010CBO
Name: Crackleback Orange
Pictured: Midget Deep Dive River Runt Spook in Crackleback Orange with angled style lip.

7/28/2022 ADDITION

Chapter 24 (page 104) - Series DD350, Tiny Deep Dive River Runt Spook: In the uncataloged colors listing chart, before "Blue Shiner", add "Black Shiner", CODES column, add "DD350NBL", RARITY COLUMN, add "5", LIP COLUMN, add "ANGLED"

Code: DD350NBL
Name: Black Shiner
Pictured: Tiny Deep Dive River Runt Spook in Black Shiner with angled style lip dating to 1966-1971.

(Pictures courtesy of Ed Brown!)

7/28/2022 ADDITION

Chapter 12 (page 62) - Series 9010, Midget River Runt Spook: In the uncataloged colors listing chart, before "Shiner Scale, White Belly", add "Shiner Scale, Red Head and Stripes", 1946-1982 CODES column, add "9010PAS", RARITY COLUMN, add "5"

Code: 9010PAS
Name: Shiner Scale, Red Head and Stripes
Pictured: Midget River Runt Spook in Shiner Scale, Red Head and Stripes with surface hardware. Before 1946, this is a catalogued color but was called ALLEN STRIPEY and had the same color code PAS. It is likely that this was made just after WWII when Heddon changed from 2 piece to surface hardware but since it didn't appear in post WWII catalogs for this lure, it is being considered as uncatalogued.

7/26/2022 ADDITION

Chapter 20 (page 94) - Series 350, Tiny Sinking River Runt Spook: In the uncataloged colors listing chart, after "14 Karat Coach Dog", add "Bar Fish", CODES column, add "350BAR", RARITY COLUMN, add "4"

Code: 350BAR
Name: Bar Fish
Pictured: Tiny Sinking River Runt Spook in Bar Fish, 350bar.

(Pictures courtesy of Ed Brown!)

7/26/2022 ADDITION

Chapter 11 (page 55) - Series 10 & L10 Laguna Runt: In the uncataloged colors listing chart (10 and L10) - change the title of the chart to read "10/L10/F10 Uncataloged Colors", add after SHAD, "Yellow, Red Head", 1939-1940 CODES column, add "F19YRH", RARITY COLUMN, add "5"

Code: F19YRH
Name: Yellow, Red Head
Pictured: Floating Laguna Runt in Yellow, Red Head, F19YRH. Note the F stamped on the belly to indicate Floating

7/26/2022 ADDITION/DELETION

Chapter 23 (page 101) - Series 340 Tiny Floating River Runt Spook: In the uncataloged colors listing chart, DELETE the entry "White & Black Shore Minnow", add before "Nickel Plate", Bone, Black Shore Minnow, CODES column, add "340BOXB", RARITY COLUMN, add "4"

Code: BOXB
Name: Bone, Black Shore Minnow
Pictured: Tiny Floating River Runt Spook in Bone, Black Shore Minnow, 340BOXB. This was previous mis-identified as XWB

(Pictures courtesy of Blake Taylor!)

7/26/2022 ADDITION

Chapter 29 (page 127) - Add to the description of color code 2YB (Red Head, White, Yellow Belly)

A variation of this color has a transparent yellow belly with a scale pattern.

7/26/2022 ADDITION

Chapter 3 (page 19) - Series 9110 River Runt Spook Sinker: In the uncataloged colors listing chart, after the entry "Red, Solid", add "Red and Black Shore Minnow", 1935-1943 CODES column, add "9119XRB", RARITY COLUMN, add "5"

Code: 9XRB
Name: Red and Black Shore Minnow
Pictured: Box only for River Runt Spook Sinker in Red and Black Shore Minnow, #9119XRB

This would have a red body with black rib pattern and 2 piece hardware.

3/24/2020 ADDITION

Chapter 12 (page 61) - Series 9010 Midget River Runt Spook: In the uncataloged colors listing chart, after the entry "Green Scale", add "Green Shad", 1946-1982 CODES column, add "9010GSD", RARITY COLUMN, add "3"

Code: GSD
Name: Green Shad
Pictured: Box only for Midget River Runt Spook Sinker in Green Shad, #9010GSD

Possibly has orange or white eyes, 1 piece hardware.
(Picture courtesy of Ed Brown!)

11/11/2019 ADDITION

Chapter 7 (page 37) - Series 750 & 950 River Runtie (Spook), last line in the 2nd paragraph should read: "The 1951 Heddon catalog has a listing for the 950 lure but it was overstamped 'DISCONTINUED'. It was listed in 4 colors, Yellow Shore Minnow (950XRY), White/Red Head (950RH), Yellow Perch Scale (950L) and the previously uncataloged color Black and White Shore Minnow (950XBW). In Heddon's 1950 publication New Tackle and Price List for 1951, it shows the River Runtie Spook as being available for 1951 as shown in the following illustration:"

4/22/2019 ADDITION

Chapter 30 (page 161) - Boxes. After "Box 3: H.R Brush Box (BX-2)", add:

Box 3a: Small Up-Leaping Bass Box (BX-4) - multiple lures

USE DATE: Circa 1937
SIZE: ?
CONTENTS: Heddon fly rod lures including River Runties and Flap-Tail Bug
COMMENTS: Rarely seen small size box with black & red printing on white background. Note the "jumping fish" isn't in color like all other such boxes.
VALUE: $75-$125
PICTURED: Box for River-Runtie in Natural Scale (759R)

(Picture from and courtesy of the Jerry Martin collection!)

 

4/11/2019 ADDITION

Chapter 4 (page 28) - series 9400 - River Runt Spook Floater. In the uncataloged colors listing chart, for the entry for GREEN SCALE, in the 1946-1989 CODES column, add "9400D" and in the 1 PC column, add "X".

Code: D
Name: Green Scale
Pictured: River Runt Spook Floater in Green Scale, #9400D

Gold eye version with 1 piece (surface) hardware. This is a uncataloged color.
(Picture courtesy of Harry Matthews!)

 

3/12/2019 ADDITION

Chapter 4 (page 28) - series 9400 - River Runt Spook Floater: In the uncataloged colors listing chart, after the entry "Unknown - Chartreuse Coach Dog?", add "Unknown - Chartreuse, Silver Spots, Fluorescent Orange Belly?", 1946-1989 CODES column, add "9400??", RARITY COLUMN, add "5", 1 pc. COLUMN, add "X"

Code: ??
Name: Chartreuse, Silver Spots, Fluorescent Orange Belly?
Pictured: River Runt Spook Floater

Chartreuse body with silver spots and fluorescent orange belly. This is a uncatalogued color for River Runt Spooks and likely dates to the late 1970's and early 1980's when other colors with fluorescent colors were made.

 

3/9/2019 ADDITION & UPDATE

Chapter 3 (page 19) - series 9110 - River Runt Spook Sinker: In the uncataloged colors listing chart, after the entry "Shiner Scale, Red Head, Yellow Belly", add "Silver Blue?", 1946-1984 CODES column, add "9110SBL", Rarity Column, add "5", 1 pc. Column, add "X".

Code: SBL
Name: Silver Blue?
Pictured: River Runt Spook Sinker in Silver Blue?, 9110SBL

This color has a silver body with a blue spine, blue face with cream color eyes and blue scale pattern. Dates to the 1970's based on the box. The color is not listed in catalogs so the actual name is not known.

Chapter 3 (page 19) - series 9110 - River Runt Spook Sinker: In the uncataloged colors listing chart, for the color "BLUEGILL", add "9110BGL" in the 1935-1943 CODES COLUMN and delete the entry in the 1946-1984 column, in the 2 pc column, add "X" and in the 1 pc. column delete the "X".

Code: BGL
Name: Bluegill
Pictured: Box only, River Runt Spook Sinker in Bluegill, 9110BGL

This color would be like the Bluegill color for the Heddon Pumkinseed, i.e., black spine, blue face and scale pattern, a vertical rib pattern, yellow shading on sides and light reddish pink near belly. It is uncataloged.

(Picture courtesy of Dennis McNulty!)

3/2/2019 ADDITION

Chapter 4 (page 28) - series 9400 - River Runt Spook Floater: In the uncataloged colors listing chart, after the entry "Fish Flash, Spots on Black", add "Glo Green Alewife", 1946-1989 CODES column, add "9400DG", RARITY COLUMN, add "5", 1 pc. COLUMN, add "X"

Code: DG
Name: Glo Green Alewife
Pictured: River Runt Spook Floater in Glo Green Alewife, #9400DG

This color is a glow-in-the-dark or luminous color that when exposed to a light source, caused it to glow green. Dating to the late 1970's and early 1980's when Heddon produced a number of lures in eight (8) different "Glo" colors. This was not a catalogued color for the River Runt line of lures.

9/22/2018 ADDITIONS

Chapter 24 (page 104) - series DD350 - Tiny Deep Dive River Runt Spook: In the uncataloged colors list chart colors, after the entry "Rainbow Trout", add "Yellow Shore Minnow", CODES column, add "DD350XRY", RARITY COLUMN, add "4", LIP TYPE COLUMN, add "Oval/Angled".


Tiny Deep Dive River Runt Spooks in Yellow Shore Minnow, DD350XRY, with angled and oval lips (Pictures courtesy of Ed Brown Sr.!)

Comment: The Deep Dive model with the angled lip in the black/green triangle box would seem to provide evidence that this model was produced well after it was discontinued in Heddon catalogs. The last catalog showing this model was 1971 but this style box didn't come into use until 1977 when it was first illustrated in the catalog of that year.

7/26/2018 ADDITIONS

Chapter 14 (page 71) - series D9110 - Standard Go-Deeper River Runt Spook: In the uncataloged colors listing chart color, after the entry "Natural Scale", add "Natural Scale, Red Head", 1940-1943 CODES column, add "D9119RRH", RARITY COLUMN, add "5", SCOOP LIP COLUMN, add "X"

Code: 9RRH
Name: Natural Scale, Red Head
Pictured: Box for Standard Go-Deeper River Runt Spook Sinker, D9119RRH

This color is Natural Scale (9R) but with a red head. The lure would have a scoop lip and 2 piece hardware.

(Picture courtesy of Doug Ramey!)

 

Chapter 3 (page 19) - series 9110 - River Runt Spook Sinker: In the uncataloged colors listing chart color, after the entry "Luminous", add "Luminous, White, Red and Green Spots", 1935-1943 CODES column, add "W9110S", RARITY COLUMN, add "5", 2 PC. COLUMN, add "X".

Code: W+0S
Name: Luminous, White, Red and Green Spots
Pictured: Box for River Runt Spook Sinker, W9110S

White body with red and green spots, solid white belly. This is nearly the same as the color White, Red & Green Spots but instead of a scale pattern on the belly, it is solid white.

(Picture courtesy of Doug Ramey!)

 

Chapter 12 (page 62) - series 9010 - Midget River Runt Spook: In the uncataloged colors listing chart color, after the last entry "Yellow Snake Line", add "Yellow with Black Bone", 1939-1943 CODES column add "9019YXB", RARITY column "5".

Code: 9YXB
Name: Yellow With Black Bone
Pictured: Box for Midget River Runt Spook, 9019YXB

Solid yellow body with black arrow style rib pattern and yellow face. This color was first listed in 1939 for The King-Fish-Vamp Spook and is cataloged for that lure in 1939 and 1940.

(Picture courtesy of Doug Ramey!)

 

7/11/2018 ADDITIONS

Chapter 15 (page 77) - series D9010 - Midget Go-Deeper River Runt Spook: In the uncataloged colors listing chart color, update the entry "Silver Herring", in the 1940-1943 CODES column add "D9019SH", RARITY column "5/4", SCOOP LIP, "X".


Box for scoop lip River Runt Spook Midget Go-Deeper
in Silver Herring - D9019SH
(Picture courtesy of Doug Ramey!)

 

7/6/2018 ADDITIONS

Chapter 3 (page 19) - series 9110 - River Runt Spook Sinker: In the uncataloged colors listing chart color, after the entry "Luminous"", add "Luminous, Silver Scale", 1935-1943 CODES column add "W9119SS", RARITY column "5", 2 PC. COLUMN, "X"


Box for River Runt Spook Sinker in Luminous, Silver Scale
OR Silver Scale, White Belly - W9119SS
(Picture courtesy of Doug Ramey!)

7/5/2018 ADDITIONS/CHANGES

Chapter 4 (page 29) - series 9400 - River Runt Spook Floater: In the uncataloged colors listing chart color, after the last entry "Yellow, Red Head", add "Yellow & Red Shore Minnow", 1935-1943 CODES column add "9409XYR", RARITY column "5", 2 PC. COLUMN, "X".

Code: 9XYR
Name: Yellow and Red Shore Minnow
Pictured: Box for River Runt Spook Floater, 9409XYR

A lure in this color would have a yellow body with transparent sides and belly, silver scales on the belly and red rib pattern, i.e., Yellow Shore Minnow with a red rib pattern.

(Picture courtesy of Doug Ramey!)

 


Box for Jointed River Runt Spook Floater marked 9439GWH - Black, White Head

Chapter 5 (page 32) - series 9430 - Jointed River Runt Spook Floater: In the uncataloged colors listing chart color, after the first entry "Allen Stripey", add "Black, White Head", 1935-1943 CODES column add "9439GWH", RARITY column "5", 2 PC. COLUMN, "X".

In the uncataloged colors listing chart, change "Unknown - Orange Head, Shiner Scale" to just "Orange Head, Shiner Scale"

6/13/2018 ADDITION

Chapter 16 - Series N9110 - No Snag River Runt Spook: In the uncataloged colors listing chart column, after the last entry "White (solid)", add "Yellow and Black Shore Minnow", 1941-1943 CODES column, "N9119XYB", Rarity column "5".


No-Snag River Runt Spook in Yellow and Black Shore Minnow - N9119XYB
(Picture courtesy of Brandon Frazier!)

4/20/2018 ADDITION

Chapter 4 - series 9400 - River Runt Spook Floater: In the uncataloged colors listing chart, after "Black (solid)", add "Black, White Head", 1946-1989 CODES column, add "9400BWH", Rarity: "4", 1 piece column - "X"


River Runt Spook Floater in Black, White Head (1 piece hardware)

12/11/2017 ADDITION

Chapter 24 - Series DD350 - Tiny Deep Dive River Runt Spook: In the uncataloged colors listing chart, before "Blue Shiner" add "Black Shiner", 2nd column (CODES) - "DD350NBL", Rarity: "5", LIP TYPE "Angled".


Tiny Deep Dive River Runt Spook in Black Shiner, DD350NBL
(Pictures courtesy of Ed Brown, Sr.!)

 

11/17/2017 ADDITION

Chapter 31 - Errata (page 176), after JIM HEDDON CASTING KIT, add: River Runt Spook box marked for Heddon Sonic 'Reseach' lure:


River Runt Spook box marked for Heddon Sonic "Research"
(Picture courtesy of Patrick Keniry!)

This box was used by Heddon as a 'research' box, i.e., marked "1", but instead of having a River Runt Spook marking, it has "385" which is for a Heddon Sonic lure. 'Research' boxes wereused for a number of purposes by Heddon. Lures that came in boxes so marked were handed out to field testers for 'research' purposes and were given to Heddon salemen to hand out as samples or for promotional purposes. Lures that came in these boxes could be any color including 'new' colors for testing purposes though most are regular cataloged colors. In many cases, lures in these boxes were 'seconds' in that they had some factory flaw, usually in the paint.

10/20/2017 ADDITION

Chapter 18 (page 85) - Series B110 Midgit Digit: In the uncatgaloged colors listging chart, after "Pearl", add to UNCATALOGED COLORS column, "Perch, Yellow Belly", 1941-1943 CODES column "B-119LYB", RARITY column, "5".


Box for Midgit Digit in Perch, Yellow Belly
(Picture courtesy of Thomas Davis!)

 

9/7/2017 CHANGES

Chapter 12 (page 62) - Series 9010 Midget River Runt Spook: In the uncataloged colors listing chart, YELLOW & BLACK SHORE MINNOW, delete "9010XYB" from the 3rd column. Below that entry, enter "YELLOW SHORE, BLACK BONE?" (color name - column 1), 3rd column "9010XRYBB", 4th column "4".

 

9/5/2017 ADDITIONS

Chapter 12 (page 62) - Series 9010 Midget River Runt Spook: In the uncataloged colors listing chart, after "Unknown - Green & Silver Shore", add to column #1, "Unknown - Green Scale?", to column #3 (1946-1982) "9010??", to column #4 (rarity), "5"

Code: D?
Name: Green Scale?
Pictured: Midget River Runt Spook, 9010D?

Black back, white belly with fine green scale pattern on sides, dark red around white eyes. This may be a later version of green scale though it doesn't look like known Midget River Runt Spooks in that color.

(Picture courtesy of Ed Brown, Sr.!)

 

Chapter 12 (page 62) - Series 9010 Midget River Runt Spook: In the uncataloged colors listing chart, after "Unknown - Chartreuse body/orange scales", add to column #1, "Unknown - Chartreuse and Black Shore Minnow", to column #3 (1946-1982) "9010XCB?", to column #4 (rarity), "5"

Code: XCB?
Name: Chartreuse and Black Shore Minnow?
Pictured: Midget River Runt Spook, 9010XCB?

Chartreuse colored body with black rib pattern. The chartreuse color is the same as that used for the rib pattern in the Spook Ray, Chartreuse & White color. This is a uncataloged color for this lure. The exact name and color code has not been documented.

(Picture courtesy of Ed Brown, Sr.!)

 

2/18/2017 ADDITION

Chapter 25 (page 108) - Series #DD9110 Standard Deep Dive River Runt Spook: In the uncataloged colors listing chart, after "Bar Fish" add "Bone Pearl Blue", 2nd column (1962-1971 CODES) - "DD9110BPB", Rarity: "5"

Code: BPB
Name: Bone Pearl Blue?
Pictured: Standard Deep Dive River Runt Spook, DD9110BPB

Pearl white or bone color body with pink, yellow and blue spots randomly placed on the lure. This is very similar to Blue Pearl (BP) but the primary body color is more bone or irridescent color. The actual color name is unknown as this is a uncataloged color.

(Picture courtesy of Ed Brown, Sr.!)

1/22/2017 ADDITION

Chapter 12 (Page 61) - Series 9010 Midget River Runt Spook: In the uncataloged colors listing chart, after "Pike Scale, Yellow Belly", add "Purple Bar Fish", 2nd column (1946-1982 CODES), "9010PBAR", Rarity: "5"

Chapter 29 (page 144) - Color Identification - after OYG, add:

Code: PBAR
Name: Purple Bar Fish
Pictured: Midget River Runt Spook, 9010PBAR

Purple body, purple spine and face, gray scales with a dark purple scale stripe running along either side, white. This is a uncataloged color and likely dates to the 1960's based on other Heddon lures found in boxes dating to that time period.

 

12/26/2016 ADDITION

Chapter 3 (Page 20) - Series 9110 River Runt Spook Sinker: In the uncataloged colors listing chart, before "Spook Glow, Orange Body, Shad", add "Spook Glow, Perch?", 2nd column (1946-1984 CODES), "9110SGL", Rarity: "5"

Chapter 29 (page 147) - Color Identification - after SFYS, add:

Code: SGL
Name: Spook Glow, Perch?
Pictured: Box for River Runt Spook Sinker, series 9110SGL

Unknown and uncatalogued color. Based on other Spook Glow colors found in uncatalogued colors, it likely has a transparent orange body with a Perch color pattern.

7/18/2016 ADDITION

Chapter 31 - Errata (Page 174) - Factory Overpaints


Factory Overpaint (Picture courtesy of Ron Mize!)

This is an unusual example of a factory overpaint of what was originally a White, Red Head Sinker (9112), repainted to a Black, White Head (9119BWH) but in this case, only the top 1/2 of the lure was painted in that color and the original paint left on the bottom half.

1/31/2016 ADDITION

Chapter 3 (Page 20) - Series 9110 River Runt Spook Sinker: In the uncataloged colors listing chart, before "Yellow & Black Shore Minnow", add "White and Red Shore Minnow", 2nd column (1946-1984 CODES), "9110XWR", Rarity: "5"

Chapter 29 (page 134) - Color Identification - after 9XWB-Lum, add:

Code: 9XWR or XWR
Name: White and Red Shore Minnow
Pictured: River Runt Spook Sinker, series 9110XWR

Solid white body with red ribs and face, gold eyes.

Chapter 15 (page 77) - Series D9010 Midget Go-Deeper River Runt Spook: In the uncataloged colors listing chart, after "White & Black Shore - Luminous", add "White and Red Shore Minnow", 1st column (1940-1943 CODES), "D9019XWR", Rarity: "5"


(Picture courtesy of James Runnels)

8/3/2015 ADDITION

Chapter 3 (page 20) - Series 9110 River Runt Spook Sinker: In the uncataloged colors listing chart, after "Yellow & Black Shore Minnow", add: "Yellow Body, Red Head", 1st column (1929-1943 CODES), "9119YRH", Rarity: "5".

 

5/12/2015 ADDITION

Chapter 3 (page 19) - Series 9110 River Runt Spook Sinker: In the uncataloged colors listing chart, after "Unknown - Grey Shore Minnow", add: "Unknown - Pearl & Blue Shore Minnow", 1946-1984 CODES column "9110??", Rarity: "5".


Unknown Color - possibly Pearl & Blue Shore Minnow - 9110XBLP?
(Identical to Pearl & Black Shore Minnow, 9110XBP, but with blue ribs)
(Pictures courtesy of Chuck, Dowagiac, Michigan)

 

1/22/2015 ADDITION

Chapter 31 - ERRATA (Page 176) - No Lip Midget River Runt Spook

This unusual Midget River Runt Spook has no diving lip and a nose line tie, an identical hardware configuration found on the Saltwater River Runt Spook Floaters from the 1950's. (S9400 series). As this lure has a white eye, it dates to after 1962 so is not from the same time frame. The screw holes which held the diving lip have been filled before the lure was factory painted. This was not a standard production lure and is likely a experimental lure of some type or someone just having fun at the factory.


No lip Midget River Runt Spook

 

9/26/2014 ADDITION

Chapter 8 (page 45) - Jointed Sinking River Runt Spook: In the uncataloged colors listing chart, after "White, Red & Green Spots", add: "Yellow, Red Head", 1937-1943 CODES column "9339YRH", Rarity: "5"


Jointed Sinker River Runt Spook in Yellow, Red Head
(Picture courtesy of Ed Brown Sr.!)

9/24/2014 ADDITION

Chapter 6 (page 36) - Sea Runt: In the uncataloged colors listing chart, after "Silver Shore Minnow", add: "White", 1946-1953 CODES column "610W", Rarity: "5", 1 piece column "X"
Chapter 6 (page 36) - Sea Runt: In the uncataloged colors listing chart, after "White", add: "White & Black Shore Minnow, 1937-1943 CODES column "619XWB", Rarity: "5", 2 piece column "X"


Sea Runts in White (610W) and White & Black Shore Minnow (619XWB)
(Pictures courtesy of Tom D)

9/23/2014 ADDITION

Chapter 3 (page 20) - River Runt Spook Sinker: In the uncataloged colors listing chart, after Waterwave, White & Red, add: "White, Black Head", 1946-1984 column "9110WGH", Rarity: "5", 1 piece column "X"

Chapter 29 (Page 152 - after color code "W+XPLB" add:

Code: WGH
Name: White, Black Head
Pictured: Pre World War II box marked for Standard Sinker Runt Spook, series #9110WGH

White body with Black Head. It would be the opposite of GWH. What is interesting about this box is that it is the 1st version River Runt Spook box that came into use prior to WWII.  After WWII, Heddon used up the existing stock of these and then went to a similar box but different in some respects.  Also, the color code system changed so what you have is a pre-WWII box with a 'new' color code system.  After WWII the color code for "Black" was changed from "G" to "B" so that adds another unusual aspect to this box.  It may well be a factory error marking, i.e., should have been WBH?

(Box picture courtesy of Daniel Graham!)

6/16/2014 CHANGE & ADDITION

Chapter 3 (page 18) - River Runt Spook Sinker: In the cataloged colors listing chart, delete "9110PL" (Pearl) from the 1946-1984 column. This is not a cataloged color for that time period.

Chapter 3 (page 19) - River Runt Spook Sinker: In the uncataloged colors listing chart, after Orange, Black Bone, add: "Pearl", 1946-1984 column "9110PL", Rarity "5", 1 piece column "X"


River Runt Spook Sinker in Pearl (9110PL)
White eyes, 1 piece hardware
(Pictures courtesy of Mike Berendt!)

5/22/2014 ADDITION

Chapter 12 (page 61) - Midget River Runt Spook: To the uncataloged color listings, add "Black, Red & Green Spots?", 1939-1943 color code "S.BLK", rarity rating "5".

Chapter 29 (page 145 - Color Identification: After color code "S", add:

Code: S.BLK
Name: Black, Red & Green Spots? (actual name not known)
Pictured: Pre World War II "Brush" box marked for Midget River Runt Spook, series #9010S.BLK

There are 2 possibilites what this color code stands for:

1. Black body with red & green (and possibly white) spots. This would be identical or nearly identical to a much later color documented after WWII called Spots On Black (SOB). As this is a pre-WWII box, it would have 2 piece hardware.

2. A white body with black spots. This would be very similiar to the pre-WWII color, White, Red & Green Spots (S) but the spots would just be black; also would have 2 piece hardware.

4/30/2014 ADDITION

Chapter 5 (page 32) - Series 9430 Jointed River Runt Spook Floater: To the uncataloged colors listing, add "Perch, Yellow Belly, 9439LYB, 2 piece hardware, rarity rating - 5" (Pictured below)


Box for Jointed River Runt Spook Floater in Perch, Yellow Belly

4/29/2014 ADDITION

Chapter 31 - ERRATA: (Add - page 176A) - BELLY PRINTING

The vast majority of Heddon's River Runt Spooks were identified in BLACK printing on the belly starting with the very first produced in 1933. There are examples, however, of other colors used for whatever reason, most notably on the very early Yellow Shore Minnow color lures that had red printing. These date to the 1st version of the River Runt Spook Floater in the Yellow Shore Minnow color and the the 2nd version of the Sinker model as well, both dating to 1935 and earlier. Later versions of these that date to pre-WWII also have black printing as well. Red belly printing, however, wasn't limited to these as it also can be found on the Heddon River Runtie Spook which also dates to pre-WWII. One example of a post WWII lure has been found on Heddon's Midget Digit Spook in the color Smokey Joe, series #9020SJ.


Top to bottom: Floater, #9409XRY, Sinker, #9119XRY,
River Runt Spook, #979XRY, Midget Digit Spook, #9020SJ
,
Sea Runt, #619YRH
(Sea Runt picture courtesy of Thomas Davis!)

River Runt Spook lure belly printing also is in some other colors as well. Most common is gold which was used on Heddon's Shad, color code SD, though lures in this color also have black printing as well.


Jointed Go-Deeper River Runt Spook in Shad, series #D9430SD

Two other colors have also been used, yellow and white, though not as often as the other two, as pictured below.


White belly printing (top to bottom): River Runt Spook Floater in Spots on Black, series #9400SOB;
River Runtie Spook in Black & White Shore Minnow, series #970XBW

Another belly printing color is yellow which appears on a Midget River Runt Spook in Black Crappie, series #9010BC as picture below, which dates to the 1970/1980's.


Yellow belly print on Midget River Runt Spook in Black Crappie, #9010BC

Since the belly color printing was standard for all of the lures shown in their time and production period, there is no special value attached, but does provide a variation for collectors to look for!

 

2/2/2014 UPDATE

Chapter 30 - BOXES: (Page 164) - changed/added text (bold italics) & picture change added to Box #12 and Box #13. New box #13A as follows:

Box 12: Plastic Top Box for Tiny Runts
USE DATE: 1955-1962
SIZE: 3-1/8 x 1-1/2 x 7/8"
CONTENTS: Tiny Sinking, Tiny Floating & Tiny Go-Deeper River Runt Spooks
COMMENTS: This plastic top box was the second box used for the Tiny River Runt Spook Sinker, Tiny River Runt Spook Floater and the Tiny River Runt Spook Go-Deeper. It came in two versions, one with a marked plastic top with the Leaping Bass symbol and printing and another that was completely blank. Note the box is not marked RIVER-RUNT on the side but instead GENUINE DOWAGIAC LURE. This was therefore a generic box and used for other Heddon lures as well. Tiny Runts in this box would with some exceptions have gold eyes.
VALUE: $10-$15
PICTURED: Box for Tiny River Runt Spook Sinker in Fish Flash, Gold & Black Scale (FF350GB)($25-$35)

Box 13: Plastic Top Box for Standard & Midget size Runts
USE DATE: 1955-1962
SIZE: 4-1/8 x 1-7/8 x 7/8"
CONTENTS: River Runt Spook Sinkers, Floaters, Go-Deepers (step-lip), Midgets, Saltwater
COMMENTS: This plastic top box is similiar to the smaller size box #9 that was used for the Tiny Runts, having a marked plastic top with the Leaping Bass symbol and printing. It differs in that is is specific to River Runt lures as it is printed on the side RIVER-RUNT. Runts in this box would with some exceptions have gold eyes.
VALUE: $10-$15
PICTURED: Box for Saltwater River Runt Spook in Fish Flash, Gold & Black Scale (FFS9400GB)($35-$50)

Box 13A: Plastic Top Box for Standard & Midget size Runts

USE DATE: 1955-1962
SIZE: 4-1/8 x 1-7/8 x 7/8"
CONTENTS: River Runt Spook Sinkers, Floaters, Go-Deepers (step-lip), Midgets, Saltwater
COMMENTS: This plastic top box is identical to the smaller size box #9 that was used for the Tiny Runts, having a marked plastic top with the Leaping Bass symbol and printing and is generic in that it does not have RIVER-RUNT printed on the side. Runts in this box with some exceptions have gold eyes.
VALUE: $10-$15
PICTURED: Box for Floating River Runt Spook in White, Red Head (9400RH)($10-$15)

(Special thanks to John Fishkat for the picture and providing the information regarding the box differences!)

 

9/17/2013 UPDATE

1. Chapter 29 - COLOR IDENTIFICATION: (page 151) - Add color code W+N after color code W+M to read: "CODE: W+N, RATING: 5, NAME: Dace Scale, White Belly, PICTURED: River Runt Spook Floater, series W9409N - This color is Dace Scale (9N or N) with a solid white belly rather than a scale pattern. The "W" prefix appears in Heddon's 1936 and 1937 catalogs in listings for luminous color lures for River Runt Spooks. Examination of the few examples found indicate that the belly is painted solid white instead of a transparent scale pattern. The paint used does not appear to be the same as luminous paint found on known luminous lures. (Pictured below)


Dace Scale, White Belly - W9409N
(Picture courtesy of Larry Stoeckley!)

2. Chapter 4 - Series 9400 River Runt Spook Floater: (Page 28 - 9400 Uncataloged colors) - insert after Clear 9400X:

NAME: Dace Scale, White Belly, 1935-1943 CODE: W9409N, RARITY: 5

 

9/11/2013 UPDATE

1. Chapter 29 - COLOR IDENTIFICATION: (page 136) - Color code BLP - deleted.

2. Chapter 29 - COLOR IDENTIFICATION: (page 136) - Add color code BPL after color code BOD to read: "CODE: BPL, RATING: 5, NAME: Blue Pearl?, PICTURED: Midget River Runt Spook series 9010BPL - Pearl or white body with blue face and back (spine). The actual name is unknown. This is a uncataloged color for this lure, c. 1970's based on the box. (Pictured below)


Blue Pearl? - 9010BPL
(Picture courtesy of Nolen Holt!)

3. Chapter 12 - SERIES 9010 MIDGET RIVER RUNT SPOOK: (Page 61 - 9010 Uncataloged colors) - insert after Blue Pearl color codes 9019PLB/9010BP:

NAME: Blue Pearl?, 1946-1982 CODE: BPL, RARITY: 5

 

7/15/2013 UPDATE

1. Chapter 31 - ERRATA: (page 176 - add) - Folk Art Heddon River Runt Lures with Rattlesnake Skin

Made by Georg Homan of California, these two Heddon River Runt lures including the Standard Sinker, series 9110 (top) and the wood version series 110 (bottom) were covered with authentic Rattlesnake skin. These are but a couple of several lures made by various manufacturers that he made and sold, circa 2012 and later. Most but all not all of these are signed "BY GEORG".

 

2/10/2013 UPDATE

1. Chapter 24 (page 104) - Tiny Deep Diver River Runt Spook: To the uncataloged color listings, add "Gold/Pearl?, DD350GPL - Rarity rating: 5"


(Picture courtesy of Doug Ramey!)

2. Chapter 29 (page 141) - Color Identification - after color code GOA:

Code: GPL
Name: Gold/Pearl? (actual name not known)
Pictured: Tiny Deep Diver River Runt Spook, series DDE350GPL

Gold/Pearl? has a black spine and face, orange body with red to reddish-pink spots and yellow belly.

5/21/2012 UPDATE

1. Chapter 14 (page 67) - Standard Go-Deeper River Runt Spook: Change last sentence on page to read: "These 'imitation' lips have been found on Standard Sinkers, Midgets, Midget Digits and even Floaters."


(Picture courtesy of Bill Peters!)

5/10/2012 UPDATE

1. Chapter 2 (Page 11) - River Runt: To the uncataloged colors listing, aded "Perch, Red Head, 119LRH, rarity rating - 5" (Pictured below)
2. Chapter 29 (Page 129) - Color Identification, add:

Code: 9LRH or LRH
Name: Perch, Red Head
Pictured: River Runt, series 119LRH

This is the same color as Perch but with a red head. This is a uncataloged color for the 110.

(Picture courtesy of Elisa Ruddick!)

5/8/2012 UPDATE

1. Chapter 12 (Page 62) - Midget River Runt Spook: To the uncataloged colors listing, add "Silver Scale, Yellow Belly, 9019YB, rarity rating - 5" (Pictured below)
2. Chapter 29 (Page 135) - For the color code 9YB, change to read: "Pictured: Midget River Runt Spook (9019YB), box for No-Snag River Runt Spook (N9119YB). Solid white body covered with silver flitter (sparkle or glitter) with a solid yellow belly. This is a uncataloged color for any model of River Runt Spooks and would has gold eyes. (c. 1940's). (Picture of Midget River Runt Spook courtesy of Will Nelson)(Picture of No-Snag box courtesy of Dennis McNulty)


(Picture courtesy of Will Nelson!)

 

2/22/2012 UPDATE

1. Chapter 15 (Page 77) - Midget Go-Deeper River Runt Spook: To the uncataloged colors listing, add "White, Red Head, Yellow Belly, D9012YB, rarity rating - 5" (Pictured below)


(Picture courtesy of Doug Ramey!)

 

12/30/2011 UPDATE

1. Chapter 3 (Page 19) - River Runt Spook Sinker: To the uncataloged colors listing, add "Luminous Silver Scale, W9119SS, Rarity rating - 5" (Pictured below)


(Picture courtesy of Doug Ramey!)

11/19/2011 UPDATE

1. Chapter 15 (Page 76-77) - Go-Deeper Midget River Runt Spook: To the uncataloged colors listing, add "Natural Scale, D9010R, Rarity rating - 4, step lip". (Pictured below)

10/4/2011 UPDATE

1. Chapter 14 (Page 71) - Standard Go-Deeper River Runt Spook: To the uncataloged colors listing, add "Spotted Orange, D9110SO, Rarity rating - 5, step lip". (Pictured below)

 

9/30/2011 UPDATES

1. Chapter 21 (Page 97) - Tiny Go-Deeper River Runt Spook: To the uncataloged colors listing add "Silverfish, Spotted, D350SFS, Rarity rating - 5". This lure is pictured in the Color Identification Chapter 29 under the color code SFS but was mistakenly omitted in the Chapter 21 color listing.

2. Chapter 30 (Page 163) - Boxes: Box #11 should read "Window Box for Tiny Runts and River Runtie Spooks". Added to the comments: "Considered rare, there is a known example of this box being used for River Runtie Spooks." (Pictured below)

3. Chapter 23 (Page 101) - Tiny Floating River Runt Spook: To the uncataloged colors listing add "Frog, 340F, Rarity rating - 5". (Pictured below)

4. Chapter 29 (Page 139) - Color Identification - color code F: The description should read: "Frog has a green body with yellow spots that have black centers; came in both white and gold eye. Two variations exist, one with a yellow belly and one with a white belly. It is a uncataloged color for the River Runt Spook in any model."

5. Chapter 17 (Page 85) - Midgit Digit River Runt: To the uncataloged colors listing add "Silver Scale, White & Red Shore Minnow?, B112XS??, Rarity rating - 5" (Pictured below)


Two known examples - Midgit Digit in Silver Scale, White & Red Shore

6. Chapter 29 (Page 155) - Color Identification - Unknown colors: Add "#22 - B112XS?, Silver Scale, White & Red Shore Minnow" (Pictured above)

7. Chapter 14 (Page 67) - Standard Go-Deeper River Runt Spook: Bottom paragraph sentence should read, "Known examples of Ab Saint lips include the Standard Sinker (2-1/2"), the Standard Go-Deeper originally with the scoop lip (2-1/2"), the Midget Sinker (2-1/4"), the Floater (3") and two very scarce examples on a wood Midgit Digit (1-5/8"). (Pictured below)


Ab Saint Lips on Midgit Digits in White, Red & Green Spots (B110)
and Black & White Shore Minnow (B119XBW)

8. Chapter 23 (Page 101) Tiny Floating River Runt Spook - in the uncataloged color listing, change "Orange, Black Bone, 340OBB, rarity rating - 5" to read "Fluorescent Black Shore, 340XFB, rarity rating - 5". (Pictured below)

9. Chapter 29 (Page 143) - Color Identification - color code OBB: Deleted.

10. Chapter 29 (Page 153) - Color Identification: Add color code XFB after color code XBP to read: "CODE: XFB, NAME: Fluorescent Black Shore, PICTURED: Tiny Floating River Runt Spook series 340XFB - This has a solid fluorescent orange body with a black rib pattern and is a uncataloged color for River Runt Spooks." (Pictured above)

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