BenzieJo Apache 8 authentic inch Fish Decoy

8 inch fish authentic spearing decoy. Weighted and balanced.
This decoy represents the Apache trout. This southwest beauty is found in the White Mountains of Arizona. It was once listed as an endangered species but because of careful management by biologists and the Apache tribe it has been upgraded to threatened.

This fish decoy is carved and painted by World Champion decoy makers, Fred and JoAnne Campbell of BenzieJo Decoys from Benzonia, Michigan. They have been making decoys since 1997 and have won several awards for their beautiful Decoys. See more about them at decoypedia.com

WHAT IS A FISH DECOY?

The making of decoys for spear fishing is part of a long and rich tradition of ice fishing. There is documentary evidence that Native Americans have speared fish through the ice using handmade decoys since prehistoric times. The earliest decoys known are from around 1000 AD. The oldest in existence were made from stones, bones, antlers and shells.

Functional fish decoys are objects used to attract large fish, primarily pike, musky, and sturgeon for the purpose of spearing them through a hole in the ice.

For the collector, this more obscure art in American heritage is at a time when serious collecting is just beginning. Understanding the sport of spear fishing and the art of fish decoy making provides insight for the collector at a time when old fish decoys are being sold and auctioned for thousands of dollars. There are still many fish decoy carvers working today who understand both the art and sport of fish spearing.