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.