 Fish
Decoy History
Rooted in the ancient tradition
of spearfishing, fish decoys were most likely first used thousands of
years ago on a frozen lake somewhere in Asia. Who the first people were
to use decoys though is hard to say. Archeological evidence points to
fish decoys being used across Asia, from the Ainu people of Japan to
tribes in the Lake Baikal region. Whether these seperate groups developed
this method of spearing fish simultaneously or if it came from one specific
tribe is anyone's guess.
What is known though is as
wandering Asian tribes began crossing over to North America they took
with them their knowledge of making fish decoys for winter spearfishing.
This craft was then handed down over the centuries from one generation
to another, one culture to another, evolving into the folk art that
it is known as today.
But How Do Decoys Work?
During the long North American
winters, Native American tribes living in the northern regions of the
continent needed a means of harvesting fish from frozen lake waters.
Their very survival would often depend on it and spearfishing with a
decoy was the answer.
A decoy in the shape of a
fish would first be carved, often using either bone or wood. The decoy
would then have weight added inside its carved out body, allowing it
to sink. It was then attached it to a line and dropped through a hole
cut in the lake ice.
From above, the hunter could
clearly see his decoy dancing in the deep. Covering himself with hides
and branches the only light the hunter could see was from the lake below.
Stories are told of being able to watch decoys lure big fish from depths
as much as sixty to eighty feet. Here the hunter would quietly wait
on the ice, pulling on the line to make the decoy appear to swim.
The decoy was then pulled
toward the surface. It would dart around on its ascent, mimicing the
movement of a real fish. Hopefully for the hunter a big fish would be
attracted by the movement and follow. As the decoy neared the surface,
the chasing fish would then be in striking distance for the hunter's
spear. At the very right moment the hunter would release the spear,
also attached to a line, and hopefully hit his target.
Spearfishing Today
Spearfishing is not nearly
as popular today as it once was. In fact, only a handful of states still
permit the practice. But while a person can only spearfish in Alaska,
Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, South Dakota, and Wisconsin, fish decoys
themselves have become more popular than ever. Decoy carvers now sell
their creations nationwide, from the midwest to the south, from the
east coast to the west. Today the majority of people who own decoys
are collectors. People with no plans of ever allowing their decoys near
the mouth of a hungry northern.
Works of Art, or Handy Tool?
For most of its history the
spearfishing decoy, whether made of bone, wood, or metal, has been considered
just a tool by its makers and users. The only consideration given was;
will this decoy catch fish? Does this decoy work? While decoy makers
took pride in their craft and had individual styles in design, it never
crossed their minds what they were creating was art. Pretty or not,
the only thing that mattered was whether or not a decoy could attract
fish.
Only in recent years has
the creation of fish decoys been fully appreciated as a true art form.
Old time carvers have been elevated to a legendary status. Collectors
now scour the internet and garage sales looking for rare jems, skyrocketing
the value of a fishing tool which at one time was as common to find
as fish hooks. Rare decoys can now sell for thousands of dollars. More
than once has an old decoy worth hundreds of dollars been sold for only
a few cents by an unknowing owner.
Most importantly though,
fish decoy carvers are finally being appreciated for the creativity
and talent that goes into making a decoy. Whether a decoy ends up in
a tackle box or on a mantle, the person behind the decoy is now recognized
for being the artist he or she is.
|
