Riverhouse History

Lew Childre and the Riverhouse

The Riverhouse was originally owned by the legendary Lew Childre, inventor of Lew's Speed Spool and Lew's Speed Stick. The Lew's Speed Spool was noted for its small size and narrow reel, designed to make longer casts. The Lew's Speed Spool and Speed Stick, revolutionized bass fishing and became one of the first pieces of mass-marketed competition equipment for bass fishing tournaments. Lew Childre also assisted in the development of the Fuji guide, which reduced line friction and resulted in longer cast and less line wear. Lew tested these and many other fishing inventions right here in the waters of the Apalachicola River. Lew Childre's company was eventually bought out by Shimano after his death in an airplane crash.