Mint 10” Butterfly Gar Ice Spear Fishing Decoy with its Original Box by Tony Smith, Macatawa Bait Company, Holland, Michigan, circa Early 2000s. The Macatawa Bait Company was started in 1976 by Tony Smith and I bought one of Tony’s small trout in an early box style from a Michigan dealer. Then a few years ago, I bought a number of exceptional fish decoys from Tony and this is the last one. This Butterfly Gar is an Excellent Example of the Critter Style work done in Michigan by Tony’s company. The Fish are Extremely Well Carved with excellent detail, Complemented with Extra Fine Paint, and Fully Rigged, as the photographs suggest. They are simply outstanding collector pieces. This Butterfly Gar is in Mint Original Condition and comes with its Original Box. Stand Not Included. An Outstanding Ice Spear Fishing Decoy.

(FD621)   Click on Photo for larger images. Contact us for additional information.

Price $225 plus shipping

Early Frog Style Ice Spear Fishing Decoy by David E. Perkins (1934 – 2018), Duluth, Minnesota, circa 1960s. Perkins started making fish decoys in the late 1940s and Marks them “D.F.D.” for Duluth Fish Decoys. With the growth in interest in Perkins’ Fish, he began to give them a Folky Design starting in the 1980s – 1990s. (See Petersen’s Folk Art Fish Decoys.) This 10” Frog is an Example of the “Critters” Perkins made prior to his serious folk art period. It is Boldly Designed, has Glass Eyes, a Cut Mouth, and Spinner Feet. The Paint is Excellent and Original and reflects a “Bull Frog” look. The weight is Stamped: “D.F.D.”. No Stand Included. A Terrific Collectible Fish Decoy.

(FD616)  Click on Photo for larger images. Contact us for additional information.

Price $275 plus shipping

Neat 6 ½” Pikie Ice Spearing Fish Decoy by an Unknown Maker from Michigan, circa 1930s – 1940s. This Folky Hand Carved Fish Decoy in the Form of a Pike has Old Tin Can Fins, Paint Eyes, Double Weight on the Bottom, and an Early Eye Screw that has been moved forward. On the Top of the Head, there is a chip to the white spot that looks likes it just barely caught a spear tip. There is also some flaking to the fins. The Paint appears to be All Original, though the white paint on the bottom is a much heavier paint than the body. Still it seems very early. No Stand Included. A Very Folky Fish with a Lot of Character.

(FD592)  Click on Photo for larger images. Contact us for additional information. 

Price $95 plus shipping

Neat 6” Bead Eye Red & White Ice Spear Fishing Decoy by an Unknown Maker from Minnesota, circa 1940s. Minnesota Red & Whites are some of the most diverse styles of fish decoys anywhere. Many were undoubtedly based on the Red & White freshwater fishing lures produced by tackle companies over the years. If these lures brought in the fish during the summer, surely the same (similar) color pattern will attract fish under the ice. In fact, complete fish decoy collections can be based on the red & white pattern. This particular fish has the Red Head and the White Body pattern. Its diversity comes with the Pronounced Blue Bead Eyes, the Silver-Gray Spots on the Body and Side Fins enhanced by the Silver Cut Tin Tail, the Angel Wing Side Fins, and the Tin insert for multiple tie positions. It’s Paint while Fully Original displays the Wear from Use and the Age of the Fish. It’s quite simply an early fish with Fine Form and Character.

(FD603)  Click on Photo for larger images. Contact us for additional information. 

Price $60 plus shipping