Jim and Diane Eberhart demonstrate what is described as a “gaff” for landing fish at the Tama County Economic Development Pitch and Build competition on Tuesday, Sept. 15, at the Reinig-Toledo Civic Center. Not only did they develop the tool but obtained a patent on it by themselves. Chronicle/John Speer

“This started four years ago when I was fishing off a river bridge,” Jim Eberhart of Toledo said. He was netting about one-half the fish he was catching – the rest were lost off the hook.

The experience led to four-years of development and working through the patent process for the invention by Eberhart and his wife, Diane, of Toledo.

It’s a fish landing device – ” A fully collapsible, double articulated gaff for retrieving fish when fishing from high bridges, piers and high banks” is the patent description.

The Eberharts unveiled the fishing gear at the fall Tama County Economic Development Pitch and Build competition last Tuesday night, Sept. 15, at the Reinig-Toledo Civic Center and it was the winner.

The circular device spreads out to encircle the head of the fish and has hooks which aid in bringing the fish up from the above the water to the fisherman.

Hobart Historic Restoration owners Jim and BJ Hobart explain their plans to convert the former Otterbein United Methodist Church in Toledo into 16 apartment units during their presentation at the Pitch and Build competition on Sept. 15. They said their company has been involved in about a dozen building renovations in different Iowa cities. Chronicle/John Speer

Jim Eberhart said he can build the item from either stainless steel or steel material. He said working with stainless steel is more difficult because of the strength of the rods.

He said the stainless steel version has 500 lb. test strength in the leader. Retired now, he put some 36 years of experience working in the Fisher Governor Machine Shop at Marshalltown to use in developing the gaff.

It is built to collapse easily do it will fit in a tackle box.

He envisions it being valuable to ocean fishing as well as using on a bridge where he first got the idea.

Heath Kellogg, county Economic Development director, said the invention is “very exciting” noting the Eberharts went through the patent process on their own.

Jim Eberhart said they are still exploring marketing pr perhaps licensing the device.

Renovating Existing Buildings

Jim and B.J. Hobart recently bought the Otterbein United Methodist Church on East High street in downtown Toledo. The church offices and classrooms in use there have been relocated to the Christ United Methodist Church on South Broadway.

The Hobarts laid out future plans for the church property as the other presenters at the Pitch and Build event.

Owners of Hobart Historic Restoration, Cedar Rapids, they said they have worked with a number of Iowa communities to use existing buildings to meet housing needs.

The local area here has been identified as in need of housing because of the recent opening of the Iowa Premium, a beef packing plant in Tama employing some 600 persons, the Hobarts said.

Jim Hobart said the Otterbein work is planned to develop 16 apartments, primarily one bedroom and studio-type. He said the effort may take nine-12 months to begin because they rely upon state and federal as well as local government programs to aid in the work.

The Hobarts stressed their “repurposing” of properties concentrates on “salvaging everything we can.” Jim Hobart said the Otterbein Church building is “well built of bricks and block” construction.

He said it does need a new roof which they plan to put on shortly.

Pitch and Build competitions are sponsored quarterly by Tama County Economic Development.

Contact the office in the Reinig-Toledo Civic Center, 1007 S. Prospect Dr., Toledo, call 641-484-3108, website- tamacountyiowa.org/