Polsping - the history of the oldest Polish fishing brand

1947. Before PZW. Before everything.

We spoke with Marcin Ziemba from Polsping about the history of the oldest Polish fishing brand. It turns out the company was founded even before the Polish Angling Association (PZW) was established. That's a really long time in our opinion!

But we didn't just talk about history. Marcin told us why he's wary of collaborating with influencers, why fishing companies should fight for river renaturalization, and why he brought a piece of a Russian fighter jet shot down over Ukraine. This was definitely one of the most important conversations we've had about Polish angling.

"I'm afraid influencers will do more harm"

Marcin didn't beat around the bush. Collaborating with influencers? Not for Polsping.

Marcin: "I'm honestly afraid that more harm than good could come of it. In today's pursuit of reach, sometimes things are done that aren't entirely good for the image."

His argument? Polsping doesn't need to show that it exists. Anglers have known it for decades. The risk is too great – you could destroy tradition just to get a million views.

A real-life example: a few years ago, wholesalers tried to sell similar lures from other brands. Customers came in and said directly - we want the lures from Polsping. Not others. Specifically those with the logo.

This shows the strength of a brand built over decades. An influencer might have a million followers, but do they have the credibility of 75 years of tradition?

Machine from 1971. Still working.

What surprised us most was what Marcin said about production. The same machines for over 50 years.

Marcin: "These are machines that arrived in '71. It's still based on people's work, on their hands."

Every lure passes through Konrad's hands. Cutting, shaping, galvanizing, lacquering, rigging with hooks - all by hand. No machine does the rigging.

The problem? If the cutting die for Alga breaks, you wait months for repair. Mid-season, no stock, lost sales. With such technology, one problem can stop the entire production.

But we see beauty in this, which is disappearing in today's world... Konrad touches each lure more often than a "craftsman" touches their soft plastic from a mold. This is true craftsmanship that has survived half a century.

"Without water, there will be no business"

The most important part of the conversation concerned the environment. Marcin doesn't hide it - Polsping is involved in nature protection because it's a matter of survival.

Marcin: "We are convinced that if anglers don't start talking about water problems, there will soon be no water."

A real-life example: the Żółkiewka River, where Marcin's grandfather lived. Once a beautiful river, 3-4 meters deep, clean water. Today? A sewage canal with trash...

Polsping conducts "Operation Clean River," talks about renaturalization, and highlights problems with cormorants. Why? Because they understand a simple principle - no healthy rivers means no angling, and no angling means no business.

Other companies should follow suit. They have the tools, the reach, the money. But do they realize that their future depends on the state of Polish waters?

PZW has 255 million. So what?

The comparison with PZPN was brutal but accurate. PZW has an annual budget of 255 million PLN. PZPN - 430 million. The difference is not that big.

But there is one key difference. PZPN was managed by Zbigniew Boniek - a frontman who could communicate with fans and the media. PZW lacks such a figure.

Marcin: "We don't have such a representative. We don't have such a frontman who would go to Polsat and say: there are anglers who leave trash behind, but there are also many anglers who clean up after them."

The result? Anglers feel cheated. They don't believe their money is being used properly. And yet, it was thanks to anglers that we learned about the Odra River pollution. They were the first to come to help.

Who talks about this publicly? Nobody. The question remains whose fault it is. Let everyone answer for themselves.

The gnome that started it all

Marcin's story with the gnome is the essence of Polish angling. His father had a tackle box full of lures - like every angler. There were Russian wobblers and one Polsping gnome.

Marcin: "For some reason, I reached for that gnome. I hardly fished with any of the other lures."

He took it to England. Started catching pike on the Thames. The English would approach him, asking what kind of lure it was. He returned to Poland, went to a shop, and bought all the gnomes off the shelf.

This is the power of traditional lures. They don't need marketing, they don't need influencers. They just need water and fish. The rest takes care of itself.

Today, that same gnome catches fish in Kamchatka, Canada, Norway. Polish anglers take it everywhere. Why? Because they know it works. Nothing more is needed.

FAQ

When was Polsping founded?

In 1947 as the Fishing Equipment Cooperative in Warsaw. This was before the establishment of PZW (1950).

Have Polsping lures changed over the years?

Practically not. They are produced on the same machines from 1971, using the same process. Only details like galvanic coatings have changed.

Why doesn't Polsping collaborate with influencers?

The company fears that in the pursuit of reach, it might harm the brand's traditional image. Polsping doesn't need to prove its existence.

What does Polsping do for the environment?

It organizes campaigns like "Operation Clean River," educates about renaturalization issues, and raises awareness that without healthy waters, there will be no angling.

Sources

• Wild Fish Stories Podcast, episode with Marcin Ziemba (Polsping)
  
  

Summary

Polsping is more than just a brand of lures. It's a piece of Polish history that has survived 75 years without compromise.

Our conversation with Marcin showed us that traditional companies can be socially responsible without cheap marketing. They can fight for the environment because they understand that without water, there is no business. And they can build authenticity over decades instead of buying it from influencers.

The biggest problem in Polish angling isn't lures in the water. It's the lack of a leader who can represent us. We have a budget of 255 million PLN and zero voice in the media. It's time to change that.