Canvas slot bags for decoys

Rick Pierce

Rick Pierce

Well-known member
Ok, so I see Diane at Custom Decoy Bags is shutting down her business.

Is there anyone that still makes slot bags for decoys? I'm not really a fan of any of the commercial bags I've bought over the years; my Avery bags all have dry rotted handles and need to be replaced...only made it 20 years or so...

I know David Clark was at one time, but didn't know if he had stopped or not. His website for the canvasbacks canvas/bag portion wasn't working when I tried it a few days ago.

Most of the commercially made also aren't 6-slot, which is much easier when dealing with wooden/cork decoys and putting them in a boat.
 
An auto ( or other) upholsterer could probably make them also. I have two of Diane's canvas bags that are around 20 years old and are good as new, the zippers are fine, and I wouldn't trade them for anything. They are just so well made, you can't get anything like this that is a production piece that will be as durable and stitched as well and the quality of material. Did you try calling her and asking her? She might do it, especially if she has canvas around. It is worth a try because unless you can find someone like her it will be very hard to get that kind of quality.
 
I am glad to hear that Dave is still making them. I was planning on getting a couple form Diane beforet the season. The ones I have had help up better than anything else by far,
 
There you go Rick. I am sure those bags referred to are nice, the guy makes very nice boats and I don't see the bags being any different.
 
Rick Pierce said:
Ok, so I see Diane at Custom Decoy Bags is shutting down her business.

Is there anyone that still makes slot bags for decoys? I'm not really a fan of any of the commercial bags I've bought over the years; my Avery bags all have dry rotted handles and need to be replaced...only made it 20 years or so...

I know David Clark was at one time, but didn't know if he had stopped or not. His website for the canvasbacks canvas/bag portion wasn't working when I tried it a few days ago.

Most of the commercially made also aren't 6-slot, which is much easier when dealing with wooden/cork decoys and putting them in a boat.
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I got an order in. I was thinking about it and I have at least a dozen of her bags. I got a few more just in case I need them.
 
Perhaps Diane has some business acumen. Folks procrastinate buying bags and her monthly revenues sag. She's been around for decades so folks figure whenever they need some she'll be there sitting at her sewing machine waiting to fill their order. She announces she's closing her business down and makes it widely known with an email campaign. She follows through and all the talk of bags and where to get them makes the procrastinators panic and get eager to find a supplier. All this bag talk creates more interest from non-procrastinators who now desire bags better than import knock-offs. Diane decides to "temporarily" re-open her business to help customers in need. All the while she has grown her brand and re-energized customers. Bravo Diane! Well played mam!
 
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Eric Patterson said:
Perhaps Diane has some business acumen. Folks procrastinate buying bags and her monthly revenues sag. She's been around for decades so folks figure whenever they need some she'll be there sitting at her sewing machine waiting to fill their order. She announces she's closing her business down and makes it widely known with an email campaign. She follows through and all the talk of bags and where to get them makes the procrastinators panic and get eager to find a supplier. All this bag talk creates more interest from non-procrastinators who now desire bags better than import knock-offs. Diane decides to "temporarily" re-open her business to help customers in need. All the while she has grown her brand and re-energized customers. Bravo Diane! Well played mam!
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I'm packing to move the snow goose west and was struck by some of my old bags from her. The cordura bags bought over 20 years ago are getting a little crusty, but still functional. My first bags were canvas and they were wrecked by pillbugs leaving them under cover but on the ground back in the day. Lot of memories in those bags.
 
Tod

Yes, a lot of memories. Here's one of mine. When this site first opened Steve Sutton recommended Diane's bags to me and others. The NJ guys were already familiar with her work as she is from that area and sold her bags at the Tuckerton show. When I ordered bags from her we emailed a few times and during the conversation she mentioned she needed a website. I volunteered my rudimentary services to her and she sent me some pictures, descriptions, and prices. For several years her website was hosted on this site. I never asked her for money but she did reciprocate with nice deals and short wait times, even years after she got a real web developer and professional looking site. All those years ago I saw a single mother with a lot of mouths to feed busting her ass trying to make it though life. She is a tiger. I haven't talked to Diane in many years but am damn proud of the fact this community supported her. She built a business with hard work and determination. It couldn't have been easy. Like you I still have my bags from her and am pretty sure they have many seasons left in them. If she does hang it up there will definitely be a void in the waterfowling community that will be tough to fill.
 
Eric Patterson said:
Tod

Yes, a lot of memories. Here's one of mine. When this site first opened Steve Sutton recommended Diane's bags to me and others. The NJ guys were already familiar with her work as she is from that area and sold her bags at the Tuckerton show. When I ordered bags from her we emailed a few times and during the conversation she mentioned she needed a website. I volunteered my rudimentary services to her and she sent me some pictures, descriptions, and prices. For several years her website was hosted on this site. I never asked her for money but she did reciprocate with nice deals and short wait times, even years after she got a real web developer and professional looking site. All those years ago I saw a single mother with a lot of mouths to feed busting her ass trying to make it though life. She is a tiger. I haven't talked to Diane in many years but am damn proud of the fact this community supported her. She built a business with hard work and determination. It couldn't have been easy. Like you I still have my bags from her and am pretty sure they have many seasons left in them. If she does hang it up there will definitely be a void in the waterfowling community that will be tough to fill.
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I remember those days, I completely forgot that you hosted her back then. Nice part you played there building and supporting the community.
 
I went on Diane's Custom Decoy Bags website after reading all the rave reviews. Very cool products that she offers but it doesn't appear that she has raised her prices in at least 20 years. If the waterfowl community would like this lady to stay in business perhaps someone who knows her well should bring her up to speed on prices. Richard
 
RM Anderson said:
I went on Diane's Custom Decoy Bags website after reading all the rave reviews. Very cool products that she offers but it doesn't appear that she has raised her prices in at least 20 years. If the waterfowl community would like this lady to stay in business perhaps someone who knows her well should bring her up to speed on prices. Richard
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As it happens, I just received an order of goose decoys about two weeks ago. I also added a couple slotted bags to that order. Even at the regular price, the bags I ordered from Roger's, are priced a couple dollars less than Diane's price. She does make a good bag and I have some of hers as well.
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