My Favorite Five Fish Decoys - By: Tim Spreck

Whenever I read an article about a particular collector’s favorite five decoys the introduction invariably prefaces the presentation by indicating that it is virtually impossible to narrow down a lifetime’s passion to five specific examples. Having a full understanding of this dilemma, I too have spent considerable time visiting and revisiting my collection in search of the five most important, inspirational, visually appealing or interesting examples.

Should this group of five be composed of the most valuable, most rare or most unusual? Would I like to present my most favorite antique fish decoys or my most favorite contemporary examples? After several attempts which ended in despair, it became obvious that “most favorite” means exactly that. Which decoys do I tend to return to, look at and enjoy most often? Once this became clear, it was easy to glean the masses down to a small group of my most favorite.


Leroy Howell Smiling Pike

This exceptionally rare decoy is the only one Mr. Howell ever made with a carved, full smile. It measures 9 3/4” long and has a masterfully blended paint job. Do I love this decoy because it is rare and valuable or because it is a fine example of this gifted carver’s work? Is my interest based on the unbelievable fact that it’s delicately shaped and curved wooden tail has never been damaged over its 60 plus years? Only partially.

I really love this decoy because at one time it resided in the collection of Ron Adamson. Ron was a friend and fellow collector who has been gone now for almost ten years. The smile on this decoy reminds me of Ron and his perpetual smile. He enjoyed life every minute of each day and seeing this decoy reminds me of that wonderful spirit.


Harley Ragan Tiger Trout


When it comes to contemporary fish decoys, the personality of the carver is interwoven with his work. Each carver puts a little bit of himself into his decoys and Harley Ragan is no different. Harley has won countless numbers of trophies, championships, honors and awards for his outstanding decoys over the years. He is a perennial, tireless producer of some of the finest examples of modern decorative carvings being made today.

Each of Harley’s decoys also possesses a wonderful personality that sets him apart from realistic carvers who strive merely to capture the essence of a live fish. This outstanding Tiger Trout was made by Harley several years ago. I managed to acquire it from him in a trade at one of the many shows we both attended over the years. It measures 14 1/2” long and is fully detailed in every way right down to the subtle scale texture which covers the entire body.


Art Boelter Folky Fish

Before I ever had the chance to own one I had drooled over Art Boelter decoys I had seen in reference books. There was something about their shape and decoration that really got the motor going. They are extremely rare animals having only been made for about two years in the early 1940s. I managed to acquire this exceptional example about 10 years ago for what seemed a princely sum at the time. It measures 7 1/2” long and retains most of its original paint.

The form of Art Boelter decoys is outstanding. They are tall and thin with side fins which are attached to the body at the front and rear of the fin. The folky appeal of the decoy’s abstract paint patterns are really great. I find myself returning to this decoy over and over. Each time it reveals something new that warrants another future visit.


Pearl Bethel brown trout

Pearl Bethel fish decoys have not been highly valued by collectors until the last few years. In the past they were pooh-poohed because of their earthy colors and lack of embellishment. Their subtle, simple paint and elegant tall form is now beginning to be understood by collectors who value these outstanding decoys as wonderful, early artifacts of old time spear fishing on the frozen lakes of Minnesota.

This particular decoy appealed immediately to the old antique dealer in me because of its dry, original surface, originality and sparse yet effective decoration. It is also an unusually large, 11” work by one of the true folk art geniuses of days gone by. Mr. Bethel made a majority of his decoys in the 1930s and 40s. They held up well and were known as excellent producers. Now as collecting tastes and desires catch up with what I knew all along, these truly wonderful decoys have taken their rightful place among Minnesota’s most revered.


Early Multicolored Walleye

When this decoy was added to my collection several years ago it became the source of endless speculation which continues today. I still find myself drawn to this beautiful work of art for several loosely related reasons. First is the sheer size and mass. At 12 1/2” long, it is really a large, coaxer style decoy which is heavily weighted. The multicolored palette used by its creator to decorate this great decoy is astounding. Each fin is painstakingly decorated with innumerable dots and lines over a blended base. The age and patina are wonderful.

Second, I wonder as to how such a beautifully made and decorated example of folk art could have been carved by someone who is still unidentified after 70 plus years. Did he make more than one? If so why have I not seen any and where are they? Normally while enjoying and inspecting this decoy I feel that the information I seek is somehow resting playfully on the tip of my tongue where it will remain hidden for all time.

This group of fish decoys comprise my current "favorite five”. The best thing about collecting is that next month my favorites will invariably change as my interests evolve. Then as things come full circle I will again return to each of these pieces with renewed enthusiasm. That is the beautiful thing about collecting fish decoys. The diversity of form, coloration, size and embellishment make it easy to fall in love with numerous pieces which fade in and out of consciousness as time moves forward.

Should this group of five be composed of the most valuable, most rare or most unusual? Would I like to present my most favorite antique fish decoys or my most favorite contemporary examples? After several attempts which ended in despair, it became obvious that “most favorite” means exactly that.

Tim Spreck is a leading expert on collectible spearing decoys. He buys, sells and collects fish decoys. He also offers appraisal, brokerage and liquidation services. His website www.fishdecoy.net is the largest in the world with over 700 decoys currently available in its online catalog.