GREAT LAKES FISH DECOY ASSN.

Great Lakes Fish Decoy Assn.

 

Home of the Fish Decoy Carving World Championship

These are the 2008 rules and Classes.

(for September 20, 2008 - Pointe Mouillee State Game Area - near Monroe, Michigan.)

2008 World Champion Fish Decoy and Carving Contest Rules

1. Competitions are open to all carvers.  All entries must have been completed after the last GLFDCCA show.  All visible marks that would identify the carver must be covered; dark colored masking tape is recommended for decoys.
2. Only natural wood may be used as a carving material.  Wood composites, resins, or other plastic are not permitted. All fins or barbels are to be made from wood, leather or metal.
Epoxy or urethane may be used to attach fins or eyes but not molded as a part of the fish. Materials used to cover lead cavities or make repairs are not restricted. Eyes are the only pre-formed material that may be used.

3. All decoys should display proper swimming attitude in the water.  Decoys should suspend at a relatively horizontal attitude and respond favorably to the jigging stick.  This generally means that the decoy, when dropped into the water, will move forward and “swim” in a circle. 
4. Each Carving Category will have at least three Classes.  Classes are listed on the Registration Form.  There will be five Categories as follows:
 A. Working Fish Decoys -
Only the basic mouth shape, single gill coverings, and delineations for the beginning of the tail fin may be carved or burned into the fish. See diagram #1.  No texturing allowed, and no painted scales.  Judging criteria: swimming ability- 60%; likeness to species 30%; craftsmanship 10%.

 B.  Decorative Fish Decoys - Maximum details allowed.  Judging criteria: swimming ability- 40%; likeness to species 50%; craftsmanship 10%.

 C. Folk-Art Fish Decoys - Fish and critters must be generic in both form and paint in all Folk-Art classes except the “No Holds Barred” class.  The only rule in the “No Holds Barred” class will be rule #1, however the carver is expect to have made the majority of the decoy. Examples include: mermaids; fish painted 1/2 musky 1/2 pike; animal combinations, the use of glitter etc. Judging criteria: swimming ability- 60%; design and innovation 30%; craftsmanship 10%. 

 D. Jigging Sticks. Judging criteria: design 60%; functionality 30%; craftsmanship 10%.

 E. Decorative Fish Carvings - Must be original; contestants must create all elements from wood or metal, except sand, display plaques, and support structures.  Judging criteria: likeness to species 80%; design 20%.

5. The misplacement of fins will only be penalized in the Decorative Decoy Category.

6. Juniors are carvers who are 16 years of age or younger. 

7. Entry fee is $5.00 per individual entry; however there will be no charge for juniors.

8. Only one entry per contestant allowed in any decoy carving Class (Categories A, B & C). There is no limit to the number of entries per contestant in Categories D & E.

9.Warmwater and coldwater species allowed are limited to native freshwater fish found in the United States and Canada with the addition of brown trout and common carp.  Salmon will be considered freshwater fish.

10. Judges reserve the right to drill a small hole in any entry to check its composition in the event of a concern or protest as to permitted materials.  All decisions are final.

11. All contestants must agree to the rules, and complete and sign the Registration Form. 

 

 

Diagram # 1

Diagram # 1 shows what can be carved or burned into a working fish decoy.  Rules state – “Only the basic mouth shape, single gill coverings (one on each side), and delineations for the beginning of the tail fin may be carved or burned into the fish”.

 

In each class, first through third place ribbons will be awarded. Honorable mention ribbons will be awarded at the discretion of the judges.  Judges will determine first through third Best of Show for each fish decoy category (Categories A, B & C). The “Best Decoy in the World” will be selected from the three Best of Show fish decoys (winners from Categories A, B & C).  First Best of Show only awards will be selected for jigging sticks and decorative carvings (Categories D & E).

 

Registration for all categories will take place on the date of the contest from 8am to 10am, or at the show hotel at the discretion of the registrar. Mail in entries will also be accepted.  Entries can be returned to the contestant after the final award presentations, however contestants are encouraged to leave entries until Sunday for public viewing.

 

Mail in entries should be sent to:  Al Reeg, 195 N. Matteson Lk. Rd., Bronson, MI  49028.  Phone (517) 369-2364 – Carvings must be received by September 17th.  Return shipping and insurance fees, along with a return-shipping label, must be included.  These fees will be the actual shipping and insurance costs, or $10.00 for the first entry and $5 for each additional entry.  Decorative carving and large decoys will require actual return shipping and insurance costs.  A completed Registration Form, with checks for all entry and return shipping fees must be included.  It is suggested that all carvings be doubled boxed, with packing material between boxes.

 

For additional information, or questions - contact our Show Chairman:

 

Scott Morrison

525 River Lane

Belleville, WV  26133

shelldrakes@earthlink.net

Phone (304) 863-8151

                                                         

                    

 

Registration Form     Great Lakes Fish Decoy Collectors and Carvers Association - 2008 Fish Decoy World Championships and Carving Contest

(September 20, 2008 - Pointe Mouillee State Game Area - near Monroe, Michigan.)

 

NAME___________________________________________   email _________________________________________

ADDRESS____________________________________    CITY_______________________ ST ____ ZIP___________

PHONE NO. (____)__________________    ENTRY FEE - NUMBER OF ENTRIES = ________    X  $5 =  $_______  

 

A. WORKING DECOYS

B. DECORATIVE DECOYS

___  BASS
___  BROWN TROUT

___  CRITTERS

___ PIKE & MUSKY                      

___ WALLEYE & SAUGER

___ SUNFISH & CRAPPIE

___ YELLOW PERCH          

___ SUCKERS

___ BROOK TROUT

___ RAINBOW TROUT

___ ALL OTHER WARM-WATER FISH*

___ ALL OTHER COLD-WATER FISH* (Fish with an Adipose Fin, except catfish & bullheads)
*Species entered in “All Other” class(es) ________________

________________________________________________

___  BASS*
___  MINNOW - CREEK CHUB - 3 TO 5 INCHES

___  CRITTERS – LEOPARD FROG

___ PIKE & MUSKY                      

___ WALLEYE & SAUGER

___  SUNFISH* & CRAPPIE*

___ YELLOW PERCH          

___ STURGEON*

___ BROOK TROUT

___ RAINBOW & BROWN TROUT

___ ALL OTHER WARM-WATER FISH*

___ ALL OTHER COLD-WATER FISH* (Fish with an adipose fin, except catfish & bullheads)
*Species entered in “All Other” class(es) ____________

_____________________________________________

C. FOLK-ART DECOYS

JUNIORS (FREE)

            

CLASSES

 

___ FOLK ART – 5 INCH LENGTH MAXIMUM

___ FOLK ART  - 5 INCH TO 10 INCH LENGTH

___ FOLK ART  - OVER 10 INCHES IN LENGTH

___ FOLK ART - TWO COLOR  - EYE COLORS DO NOT COUNT, FIN COLORS DO       

___ NO HOLDS BARRED

___ FOLK ART  - CRITTERS

___ FOLK ART – NATURAL FINISH – NO PAINT ALLOWED, EXCEPT ON THE EYES

 

FISH DECOYS

 

 ____ FOLK ART  ____ WORKING   ____ DECORATIVE

 

JIGGING STICKS

 

____ DELUXE    ____WORKING      ____ NATURAL FINISH

DECORATIVE FISH CARVINGS

____COLDWATER    ____ WARMWATER      ___ PLAQUES

D. Jigging Sticks

E. DECORATIVE FISH CARVINGS

 CLASSES

  _____  DELUXE - MAXIMUM DETAIL ALLOWED

 ____ WORKING – NO CARVING, BURNING OR TEXTURING    ALLOWED       

  ____  NATURAL FINISH - NO PAINT ALLOWED

  CLASSES   

____ COLD WATER SPECIES WITH ENVIRONMENT

____ WARM WATER SPECIES WITH ENVIRONMENT
____ FISH PLAQUES (WITH OR WITHOUT ENVIRONMENT)

 

 

All contestants must agree to the following:  1. The above entry (s) meet all contest rules.  2. The Great Lakes Fish Decoy Collectors and Carvers Association and the Pointe Mouillee Waterfowl Festival are not responsible for any loss or damage to carvings.  3. Decisions of the registrar and judges are final.

   Signed   ________________________________________________________________.  Date  ________________________