Back in olden times, I fished with several university professors, some of them were nearly as broke as I was.  We had access to several places to fish where row boats were available.  One of my  professor buddies had a hand crank trolling motor.   The prop was maybe a foot in diameter.  The gizmo was metal and mounted to the transom using a bracket just like and electric trolling motor.  There was a 2' long or so shaft with worm gears on either end.  The idea was that you would pump the lever up and down and the prop would turn.  If you started the action with a downward pump, the prop would turn forward,  starting the pump with an upswing would reverse the prop.

 

I remember that it didn't work worth a darn when we were near vegetation, as a matter of fact you had to lift it out of the water, and the bracket allowed for that.  But when you were in open water, going from one end of the lake to the other, it was faster and easier than rowing.

 

Does a device like this ring a bell with anyone?  I believe the original device was acquired in Wisconsin, but that was many years ago.  I remember seeing a back page ad in one of those outdoor magazines, Field & Stream or Outdoor Life, but I've had no luck searching.

 

I know I'm not imagining it, my question is has any one else seen one or know where one can be acquired?

This does not seem like exactly the same thing you are describing but it may be close. It's a Ropeller.

 

Man-U-Troll

Man-U-Troll

now that's 5 star service!