Connie & Rick Whittier are behind “Whittier Decoys of North Dakota”, award winning carving of swim-tested working spear fishing decoys.
How it started
Rick says it was a late-night knock at the door from someone who trusted his craftsmanship that inspired his business – and now passion. It was the night before opening spear fishing and he helped replicate an antique decoy.
“We knew nothing about it!” says Rick. Now, 15 years later, Rick and his wife, Connie, have become “addicted” to the sport themselves.
The Artistry
Rick says the fish are all made of wood (his preferred is white pine), fins are made of aluminum and they are all hand painted with lead to balance the decoy. It’s all about balance when you are creating the decoy to spin a circle.
He has approximately 400 different decoys!
And he isn’t keeping the skill close to the vest. Whittier says he takes apprentices through the Council on the Arts and it’s usually young people, who he proudly states have taken ribbons at fairs and placed at national competitions!
Beyond Fishing
The decoys are all swim-tested, so you know they work! But, the Whittier’s say the decoys after go “beyond fishing”. They made a custom decoy for a marriage proposal, memorial decoys made with a loved ones ashes, grooms party gifts and even wedding cake toppers!
Click on the podcast above to hear more from Connie & Rick Whittier with Amy Iler & guest co-host, Perry Miller
CLICK HERE to see their website.
Whittier Decoys of North Dakota
whittierdecoys@hotmail.com
701-538-4064
(Connie & Rick Whittier in the KFGO Studio)
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(Amy Iler & JJ Gordon are talk-show hosts at 790 AM KFGO in Fargo-Moorhead. “It Takes 2 with Amy & JJ” can be heard weekdays 11am-2pm. Check out the show page on
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Follow Amy on Twitter
@AmyKFGO
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