Karl White could be called a visionary. At the young age of nine, he developed an intense interest in fishing tackle. While fishing with a stick, with string attached and a "dug" worm, his attention was grabbed by another young fisherman throwing a plastic plug. The plug was a red and white River Runt, and as a seasoned fisherman, he thought he should inform this other young man of his error. Just as he told the young man to leave his cork in the water, a fish hit the plug. This happened several more times and Karl was "hooked". He had to have one of those miracle devices. It took him weeks to save enough of his allowance in order to purchase the elusive plug. This was 1948, and his Heddon Crazy Crawler is still a part of his collection today.

Karl and his brother, Robert, were invited to go with their dad on a business trip and then on to Missouri to see their grandparents. While on the business leg of this trip, they found themselves waiting in the lobby of an old hotel in Claremore, Oklahoma. It just happened to be the Hotel Mason. The owner of the hotel had on display in that lobby, what has become known as, the greatest firearms collection in existence. It is now called the Davis Arms and Historical Museum. He was fascinated with this collection. This made him realize that fishing is far more popular than hunting, and at that moment he had his vision of someday having a collection of fishing tackle.

Throughout his school life, he would pick up a plug occasionally, but tackle was very elusive to him during this time. In 1961, he married Beverly Wright. Beverly was very much aware of his love for fishing tackle and has been known to say "I knew I was not just marrying a ’hubby’ but I was marrying a ’hobby’ too. In 1962, he graduated from Central State College, now University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, Oklahoma. He received a degree in Biology and Chemistry and immediately began working for the Oklahoma State Health Department. He soon joined the Army where he served as a medic. After leaving the Army, he began a new job at Anchor Serum Company in St. Joseph, Missouri. He found much better collecting and fishing while in Missouri.

An opportunity opened in Oklahoma City and Karl and his small family had the chance to go home. Karl opened Crystal Laboratory, Inc., in 1967. He manufactured and supplied source material to large medical laboratories for the testing and treatment of allergies and asthma. Earlier this year, in 2004, Karl sold his business and has retired.

The National Fishing Lure Collectors Club (NFLCC) was organized in 1976 by three men from the School of the Ozarks. Karl was in contact with these men and was present at the first meeting and the formation of the organization, and is considered one of the founding members. NFLCC has grown from a small handful to over 6000 past and present members. This organization has enabled Karl to search out and purchase many complete and fantastic collections and aided in finding many one-of-a-kind items. This hobby has grown from paying an astronomical price of $50.00 for an item to over $100,000.00 for an item.

In his retirement, he is the Antique Tackle Consultant for BASSMASTER Magazine, with a monthly column entitled "What’s it Worth?" His collection has come to be known as the largest, most complete and most comprehensive antique tackle collection in existence. In 2002, it was donated to the Oklahoma Aquarium, Jenks, Oklahoma. It is known as the Karl & Beverly White National Fishing Tackle Museum. Karl has authored a three volume set of reference books showcasing the collection. The set has over a thousand pages, depicting over twelve thousand non-duplicated items.  To see books go to www.karltwhite.com