Brad Pallister unveils what is said to be the world's largest fishing lure. (rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

world record bid

World’s largest fishing lure unveiled in Lacombe

May 25, 2019 | 12:57 PM

Drumheller has the world’s largest dinosaur, Donalda an oil lamp that claims to be the biggest on Earth, there’s a giant pysanka in Vegreville, and Glendon a perogy to go with Mundare’s out of this world Ukrainian sausage.

Lacombe is making a splash onto the list with is believed to be the world’s largest fishing lure.

Bearing the signature five diamond design of local business Len Thompson Lures, the massive item unveiled Friday stands over 40 feet high, if you combine the spoon and the hook.

That beats the current Guinness World Record holder in West, Texas which stands 15 feet.

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“This is an exciting day for us, our employees, our family, our community, our industry,” said Brad Pallister, President, Thompson-Pallister Bait Co. Ltd.

“Ninety years ago, my great grandfather Len Thompson invented this silly little piece of metal that seemed to catch a lot more fish than anything else he could buy at the time.

“He started selling these things in Abernethy, Saskatchewan in 1929. The business grew until they outgrew Abernethy and they came to Lacombe in 1958. Sixty-one years later and an estimated 55 million lures later, here we are. I am so proud of my family’s heritage.”

“This outstanding huge addition to the Lacombe landscape is important for a lot of reasons,” Lacombe Mayor Grant Creasey said glowingly of the new attraction. “It signifies the value of longstanding family businesses, and it is also a significant investment in a very challenging time for Alberta.”

The monument will be installed at Len Thompson Fish Pond, located at the north end of Len Thompson Drive, and unveiled to the public on June 1 during the annual Kids Can Catch event.

(rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

An application will then be submitted to Guinness to have it certified as the world’s largest fishing lure.

The lure was crafted by Comet Welding in partnership with Echo Energy, the City of Lacombe, and the Lacombe Fish and Game Association.