The Story of Douglas Nets
The Past
In 1909, Erickson Textile began manufacturing “Common Sense” cotton, mesh minnow seines. Within a few years, this little company in the small farming community of Momence, IL became the largest producer of seines, fish nets, and basketball goals in the United States – and remained so for 30 years.
The Shurkatch Fishing Tackle Corporation began in 1899 in Providence, Rhode Island. In August 1936, Mr. Frederick S. Doolittle moved the company to Richfield Springs, NY. During World War II, it produced hundreds of thousands of emergency kits for the Navy, the Merchant Marines, and the AirCorp, saving the lives of many Americans. Shurkatch manufactured several items including, wood minnow and artificial lures, minnow seines, landing nets, fish spears, rod holders frog spears, and all sizes of fish gaffs.
The Maryland Net Company of Baltimore Maryland, a company with a prestigious reputation. When old-timers gather on Chesapeake Bay, you can bet your last clam there’s an original Maryland Net Co. crab net or landing net nearby.
On November 9, 1982, Douglas Net Company purchased the assets of Erickson Textiles. Seventeen years later on August 24th, 1999, the assets of Shurkatch were purchased by Douglas Net Company and moved to St. Anne, IL. Maryland Net Company was acquired in February 2006 by Douglas Net Company and expanded our service to deep sea operations.
St. Anne, Illinois was the home of Douglas Net Company for over 34 years!
The Present
As of 2018, Douglas Net Company has moved the manufacturing operation to Lebanon, MO near the Lake of Ozark. While “the move” proved to be quite the undertaking, we appreciate your patience as we transitioned into our new facility that will allow us to better serve our customers and clients.
The Future
With the move to Missouri, Douglas Net Company is ready to continue to serve our loyal customers, as well as create a new generation with a love for sustainability and the outdoors!
In the past, in the present, and in the future, we pledge to our customers superior service, high quality products, and competitive prices. Thank you for your interest in our products and your loyalty to this company.
Kelly Douglas