OVERVIEW
No one knows for sure why fish attack any lure however common sense and experience tells us that they must use one or more of their senses:
· Sight
· Smell
· Sound
· Electromagnetic sensing capabilities
Fish Sponge lures are designed specifically to take maximum advantage of proven designs, new color technology, and improvements in attractant formulations to exploit the various fish senses. What we do special is to address multiple senses in each of our lures.

SIGHT
For many years, fishermen have been using baits, yarn, plugs, and various floats, ie puff balls, corkies, and others, to catch salmon and steelhead. These designs are proven - they catch fish. Over time, they have been enhanced with wings, spinners, fur, feathers, and countless different types of hardware. In addition, as new fishing techniques evolved, additional designs have been developed to support them. We believe that the combination of physical appearance and color are important factors in catching fish.

We make our lures specifically to mirror these long-proven designs. Our belief is that rather than throw out what already works, we can use them as a starting point and improve upon them. We are sure you will recognize the overall appearance of our lures, and we think that is good. For example, our Sponge Wrap looks much like a natural sardine wrap. The Sponge Float borrows from a design that has been used for years, and the Sponge Sac, looks much like a natural ball of roe.

Next, we have carefully formulated our dyes to maximize the effect of color in each Fish Sponge lure. You will recognize common anadromous fish colors, hot pink, orange, chartreuse, and so on in our offerings. What is different is that we have tuned these colors for the common fishing conditions we encounter. Light travels through water differently than air. As a result, colors that we see in the air appear quite different under water. The 1997 book, What Fish See, by Dr. Colin Kageyama was one of the first books to scientifically confirm what fishermen had found through trial and error, different colors work in different water conditions, and while two colors may look the same in the air, they may appear quite different under water. Fish Sponge products use custom color formulations to maximize the possibility of fish seeing them in various water conditions.

SMELL
Scents have been used since the first person tied a thorn to a line and baited it with a worm. Natural baits were the first attractant. Since then countless secret formulas have been developed to serve two primary functions, 1) attract fish and stimulate them to bite, and 2) mask over human smell. Once again, research has helped to improve scents to give fishermen an additional advantage. Recently, some producers have even begun to experiment with fish pheromone attractants. We don't make scents but have partnered with several companies to provide you with a full solution to your fishing needs. We would also encourage you to try your own formulations.

Fish Sponge products are designed specifically to be a carrier for scents. Our natural cellulose sponge carries most oil based commercial scents on the market today. Some fishermen soak our lures overnight in their favorite scent, others apply it while on the water with equal success, and still others apply scent to their favorite Fish Sponge lure and freeze it prior to use. Whichever way you choose, please keep in mind that a little usually goes a long way. Long after you stop seeing a visible trail, fish can still detect a scent impregnated into your Fish Sponge lure. Usually, a little goes a long way.

While Fish Sponge lures can effectively serve as a carrier for scents, they can be used quite successfully with no scent at all. There are days when our lures are best fished free of any attractant.

SOUND and OTHER FACTORS
In the past few years we have begun to see noisemakers, lights, and electricity sources being designed into lures and other fishing practices. While the science is not well known, it has been observed in several species that fish are attracted to other fish in trouble either by sound or electrical impulse. Fish don't have ears but their lateral line serves that function. Further it is believed that anadromous fish may use the earth's magnetic force for navigation.

We have begun our own empirical work in this area also. Today, the Sponge Wrap, (with eyes), offers a sound option to our product family. Our spinners use the very best blades to create vibration in the water. In the future, we may also offer our products with an electrical/magnetic source. Our goal is to exploit as many of the fish's senses as possible in a single lure.

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HOW FISH SPONGE PRODUCTS ARE MADE

The Fish Sponge company grew out of an ongoing passion to find better ways to catch salmon and steelhead combined with the personal desire of its founder to contribute to the betterment of fishing as a sport. From our humble beginnings testing hand made prototypes on the rivers in Northern California to offering our products around the world, we are committed to several key principles.

A core value is to employ best designs and practices in place today and then improve upon them. Rather than invent whole new designs, we adapt current ones to make them better. Our lures are designed to attack more than one of a fish's senses of sight, smell, sound, and other factors. We employ our key strengths of: sponge utilization, color technology, and scent capabilities to maximize fish catching effectiveness.

First and foremost, we manufacture and distribute only products that work. Each product idea is researched for its applicability, then prototyped by both amateur and professional fishermen. We believe that by combining the best technologies with actual experience is the best approach. We strongly believe in the two-minds-are-better-than-one theory and that the best way to make a product is by asking the people who will use it for their advice and input. Only after a design has proven successful by catching many fish, do we then manufacture in the USA to the highest quality standards. Superior quality is important to us because we believe there is nothing worse than having equipment fail in use. We recognize that fishing time is precious and we want to make sure our products enhance the experience. We stand by our products with a full money-back guarantee.

We are committed to watershed restoration and preservation and to improving fishery health. We donate our time and money to these efforts and hope you do the same. Further, we encourage you to release all native steelhead and salmon, and keep only a minimum of other fish. We believe that the best approach to preserving our fisheries for future generations is for each of us to be personally actively responsible and involved.

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