Collectors Hooked on Fish Decoys

By: Tim Spreck

Collecting vintage ice spearing decoys has been a well guarded secret among sporting collectible enthusiasts for several decades. However, the appeal of these great little hand-made wooden fish has begun to spill into the world of folk art collecting.

Since the early 1980s fish decoys have been appreciated as curious relics by folks who are not familiar with this most northern of winter activities – winter ice spearing. Their folk art appeal hinges partially on the fact that they began life as a tool and were elevated to the status of art much later. It is the almost naive nature of the fish decoy as art that serves to endear them to almost anyone who takes the time to study them.

Ice spearing practices in northern states such as Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan are richly varied and the resulting variations of the decoys produced are almost endless. The purpose of the decoy was to bring a fish within range of a spear. Function was more important than artistic appeal. And yet, many of these decoys are truly works of art.

The golden age of fish decoys is between 1900 and 1950. Prior to about 1920, there are few surviving examples and after 1950 decoys tended to take on more of a commercial feel with their production being dominated by a number of small, cottage industry makers. During the golden age, decoys were generally made by hand by the person who intended to use them or purchased from another spearfisherman. This hand work gives a real personality to the decoys. The slight differences in paint application or body shape can be a world of difference in the eye of the collector.

There is also a wide range of values. Old decoys can be had for as little as $10 with the upper price ranges running into many thousands of dollars.

Since the water beneath the ice ranges from ultra clear to dark and murky, different decoys were needed for all conditions. A successful spear fisherman had to be equipped with a variety of decoys. In clear waters bold colors like red, orange, blue and yellow were often used on decoys. In darker waters a bright, lighter color was best. Red and white in a variety of configurations have historically been the most commonly used colors. Many times the decoy maker would add metal spinners of brass or nickel, glitter or brightly colored buttons as an attractor. Some of the early decoys will be found to have a tack in the belly which was used to hold a piece of brightly colored cloth or scent pad.

The value of a specific decoy is determined by several criteria.

Who made it is at the top of the list. By knowing who made a decoy it is then possible to determine years of production. Decoys by unknown makers have to be evaluated on their own merits. Decoys with all the hot button features may command high values regardless of who made them. These features include age, style, form, coloration, patina, originality and eye appeal.

The beautiful thing about collecting old fish decoys is that the collecting possibilities are limitless. One may collect fish decoys by specific carvers, by regions, states, or by color, size, age or species. It is possible to put together several different groupings as well. Many collectors will group old decoys which take the form of a sunfish together in one area with a group of trout in another. Tiny whitefish decoys ranging between 1 and 4in in length make a wonderful collection for those with limited space. A grouping of large, Sturgeon coaxers which range from 1 to 3ft in length can make a very impressive grouping as well.

Until recently fish with missing fins, a missing tail tip or excessive paint wear were shunned as inferior examples. That notion is rapidly changing. Pristine fish decoys are becoming nearly impossible to find and as a result, the prices can be substantial. Most collectors are willing now to accept a decoy with in-use wear, honest fisherman alterations and light damage as a battle tested example with an authentic tale to tell. There is a growing percentage of collectors who collect only well used and worn fish decoys. They appreciate wear, scratches, bent fins and spear marks as signs of authenticity. In their mind these “defects” add value, style and visual appeal.

Evaluation of a fish decoy purely on its own merit is a practice which will take a little time, effort and experience. When I evaluate a fish, I think of the following criteria:

Form: Does the decoy have an appealing shape? Fish decoys by Leroy Howell, Frank Mizera or Ernie Newman have a unique shape to them which is easily identified by the collector.

Surface: For Folk Art collectors surface tells a lot about the decoy. The type of paint used can also provide many clues about the age of the fish. A dry paint surface which is alligatored or crazed is a bonus to most folk art collectors. Properly interpreted, it can provide hints about age as well as being very visually appealing.

Patina: Good patina on a fish decoy is also a highly valued characteristic.It may be nothing more than a concentration of cigarette smoke and oils from handling. Collectors love good, honest patina. It adds credibility, eye appeal and value to fish decoys.

Eye Appeal: This is an area where personal preferences enter the evaluation process. The more visually appealing a decoy is the more desirable it will be. Colors are very important here. Another criteria for eye appeal has to do with how artistic the decoy is. Remember that these fish were a simple tool. A piece of two by four painted red and white would be equally effective in spearing as a refined decoy with delicately carved and painted features. What then caused the maker of the latter decoy to go above and beyond the call of duty? I choose to think of it as an artist who did not know he was an artist. Someone who took a simple concept, the fish decoy, and elevated it to an art form by the simple fact that his artistic tendencies would not be stifled.

Rarity: The rules of economics come into play here. Supply and demand set the stage. If a fish decoy was produced in limited numbers it will be considered rare. However, if a fish decoy was produced in large numbers and the collecting market consumes every example and still is hungry for more, these fish will also be considered rare.

Personality: This is a tough concept to explain. When I look at a fish decoy, its personality can bring a smile as well as increased value. Did the maker take the time to add a grumpy facial expression or toothy grin? Old fish decoys with a crying eye, aggressive large teeth or other added embellishments give the decoy a specific personality. Personality translates into dollars in terms of value.


Resources
Folk Art Fish Decoys by Donald Petersen.
The Fish Decoy, volumes 1-3 by Art Kimball
Top Of The Line Fishing Collectibles by Donna Tonelli
Fish And Fowl Decoys Of The Great Lakes by Donna Tonelli

Article Source: https://www.collectibles-articles.com

Tim Spreck is a collector of and dealer in folk art fish spearing decoys. He is also a three time, world champion folk art fish decoy carver and spearfisherman. He also promotes sporting collectible shows and is a freelance writer. Please visit his website www.fishdecoy.net for additional information.

Related Items on eBay:

VINTAGE ELY, MINNESOTA ~ CHEATER FISH SPEARING DECOY~ FOLK ART FISHING LURE
$74.99

Vintage Karl Johnson Fish Decoy Beaver
$100.00

Vintage Folk Art Wooden Fish Spearing Decoy 12” Hand Carved Painted Metal Fins
$129.95

Antique Style Green Ice Fish Decoy
$35.95

Vintage Fish Decoy
$85.00

Vintage Dr Lou Petrucco Fish Decoy
$150.00

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