A few months ago, I had joined a Facebook group called Home Grown Tackle; where custom lure builders across the country share what has been working/not working for them in terms of paints, mediums, terminal accessories, etc. One day I saw a picture posted of a variety of custom in-line spinner baits and I told myself I need some of those. They were made by Nick Kemps of Lucky Shamrock Lures and Flies. I was already envisioning catching giant Northern Pike on them before ever casting one.
Nick's customer service throughout my order was so exceptional I told myself I should interview him if he would allow it. Nick granted me access into the mind of the wire-bending creator of these baits, and would like to share my interview with the man behind Lucky Shamrock Lures and Flies.
Matt: Nick, can you remember the first lure or fly you ever made, what was it and when?
Nick: I started tying flies at the age of 9, we were already doing a fair amount of fly-fishing in my family. My first ones were out of necessity... Caddis fly hatches on the Yellowstone was what I was trying to imitate, and we used those flies with great success.
Matt: Do you recall the first fish you caught on your own lure? What was it and how did it make you feel?
Nick: I remember fishing for Cutthroats one particular time, when NOTHING would so much as stir a fin... until I took out my vise at the cabin in Teddy Roosevelt Wilderness campgrounds in Yellowstone and created a wet fly. That fly took Cutthroat trout the next four days we were there with reckless abandon. It's my favorite memory of "Making fish bite," I was probably 12 years old. Nobody else in the party caught fish until I tied those flies, everyone wanted a few the for the next day after they saw what I was doing to the Cutthroats with them.
Matt: What do you think was the calling to start your own business?
Nick: I believe the calling for me to start my own business was there since I was a young one, but growing up in a Catholic family as a child, we weren't always taught to think outside the box. I was supposed to go to school and get a trade, which I did. Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning was the path I chose... and boy do I hate that job! I got straight A's in trade school, and went on to apply the trade for 10-12 years before I had enough. I still HATE basements, and not because of the creepy crawly things that live in them. Anyway, a few years went by after HVAC went by the wayside, and I got divorced. I was free to think outside the box, and this was my chance! So I began accumulating more equipment that I didn't already have and started stockpiling ideas.
Matt: What makes your lures different from the ones we see on the shelves?
Nick: My lures and flies were all rooted in being tied or made out of NECESSITY rather than someones fantasy idea... I designed every one along the water, some in trout country, some on Musky and Smallmouth rivers, and some right here along the Mississippi river where I reside. Every lure I have in production has been extensively used by my friends and I, and with great success. Or, I would never make them without field testing (my favorite job by the way).
Matt: Are any of the components of the lures also custom?
Nick: Many components I use are custom, as I get a lot of custom work requests. Custom powder coated blades and parts. Personalized spinners, a particular fly idea... they're all one of a kind pretty much. I can replicate a certain pattern, but everything is done one at a time, so each pattern or spinner has its own unique quality to it, or I wouldn't be making them.
Matt: Off topic, what's your favorite beer?
Nick: I am a GUINNESS man. My family's half Irish, and Ireland is always in my heart. I've had a lot of other beers, but no sense in it anymore.
Matt: What is your go-to lure color?
Nick: Tough question, I've learned to read water since I was tiny, and I learned long ago not to limit myself as far as choosing a lure goes. I let the fish tell me what they want...the weather conditions, time of year, water clarity, and water temps make most of my decisions for me easy.
Matt: Good point I think far too often we get consumed in colors and glitz and forget about conditions, that being said, what's your biggest fish to date?
Nick: 48.5" clear-phase Muskellunge, approximately 32-35 lbs. Released after photos.
Matt: Awesome Nick! How about your order process, where are you deriving most of your business from.
- Nick: Pictures of that fish are around here... For now, someone sees something they know will smash fish, and they send me a message on the computer regarding their interest. I then try to make exactly what they were looking for. Business is mostly done by Paypal keeping track of the money, so I can worry about what I am supposed to... making stuff that drives fish nuts. I do accept some business by money order, but always secure business. I have too small an operation to worry about getting bum-paid on a large order.Matt: Are people mostly buying the color configurations shown on your Facebook page, or are you getting custom color/size combos as well? Any pro-fishermen requests?Nick: Many combination of baits that are currently on my Facebook page attract a lot of attention, and that's because I want them to. They catch fish. If they didn't, I wouldn't want people buying them, as they would lose faith in my company. I'll not HAVE IT! I do get many custom requests of color variations on the designs I have done. It's not what I like, it's about the consumer! (My favorite Joe Dirt reference) Many guides and Pros are using my lures, and I get special requests from people of the professional fishing ranks quite frequently. I am not at liberty to say which ones, or what they are buying, keeping a good secret is an important part of the fishing game.Matt: As a custom lure builder, what are your hopes for the business?Nick: My hopes for the business are that it will grow exponentially. I was made to catch fish and enjoy the hell out of helping others do the same. I get a big smile after one of my friends makes a beeline to my door after a fishing trip to show me pictures sharing the wonder, that is fishing for me. Never have I been more truly happy than doing this. Now you know the story of Nick... the abridged version.Matt: Nick, thank you for sharing your story, I wish you luck in the future! (LuckyShamrockLuresandFlies).
Feather dressed Trebles
Nick Kemps: Field Testing
What a fish!
