Fish Decoys

[LovelyLadyLux]

Just watched a show on fish decoys. They really are an art form and they really are quite beautiful.

There is lots of fishing around here both salt and fresh water so fishing lures and decoys are pretty popular. Lots of fly tying and the making of different flies to attract the fresh water fish and there is also active making of decoys. Many decoys are hand made so quite unique. Never knew that molten lead was used in the decoys to ensure they sink as a counter ballast to the floating wood properties of the fish decoy either. Apparently too, an this I never knew, the decoys are not meant to be exact replicas of the fish they're trying to attract rather they're made in all their shapes and vivid colours to pique the interest of the fish to come close.

[Horus]

Yes they are real works of art LLL and many will also be made to make eratic movements in the water to mimic an injured fish so as to attract a predator.

[LovelyLadyLux]

Exactly H - they were never meant to flow smoothly and mimic other fish they are meant to be gimped so as to attract the attention of other fish which also means their body shape can be super elaborate - big fins, bright colours etc. I've seen lures and know that the old ones around here are highly prized and valued.