OK post up!! How was Westlake??

Steve McCullough

Steve McCullough

Active member
I am sorry that I had to miss it this year, but couldn't shake loose from work.

I would love to see pictures, how were the birds?

I spoke to a buddy of mine that just got back, and he said it was a great show this year.

Best,
Steve
 

Hide Post I pulled this from another site. I was unable to attend, but we did well. Iwca Style Decoy
1st Rick Johannsen Red Head Hen
2nd Tom Christie Red Head Hen
3rd Rick Johannsen Pintail drake

Pool Singles
1st Tom Matus Hooded merg hen
2nd Jason Russel Snow Goose
3rd Gary Joe Bryan Wood Duck Hen

Pool Rigs
1st George Williams Mallards
2nd ??????? Canvas Swans
3rd Luke Costilow Canvasbacks
(33 6 Bird rigs)

Open Decoratives
1st Al Fulford Wood Duck Hen
2nd Al Fulford Grebe
3rd Glenn McMurdo Hooded Drake

Iwca Youth
1st, 2nd, 3rd,Luke Costilow
(44 Entries)

Pool Youth
(9 yrs old) Grayson Russell Bufflehead

(10-13 yrs) Hank Garvey Jr. King Eider

(14-17) Tyler Frank Bufflehead
(40 or so youth Entries)

Intermediate IWCA Shorebirds
1st Brad Falkenburg

Amatuer IWCA Hunting Decoy
2nd Andy Pope BW Teal Hen

Thats all I can remember off the top of my head.

Crowds were good' Entries seemed good

The pool entries were huge. There were more than 30 black ducks and many species with more than 20.

There were 33 rigs
 
One of the guys in my group bought one of those behemoth swans. With 4 guys in the car and no room in the trunk it was cramped quarters to say the least back to Rochester, NY. Next year I am taking friends who like purchasing grebes!!!
 
Yep, them were mine. Who else would be crazy enough to put together a rig of canvas? I was just there to make a statement that it could be done, never thought I'd place beyond the canvas division.

Hey Sikorski, for the record, I feel no shame coming in second to George.

Chuck

PS a couple are still available if anyone is interested shoot me a PM
 
I'll be posting up the winners and a few show photos when I get home. It was a great time with good friends for sure!

Hitch
 
I took a pretty good look around this year. These are just my estimates as to what I saw and I don't have any hard numbers to back them up. The decorative entries looked to be up somewhat. The Contemporary Antiques were way down over last year--2009 was the first year for that categorie, I think lot's of guys found out it takes more than just rubbing some paint off to try and fake an antique and didn't enter this go round. The IWCA entries looked around the same or maybe a little lower than last year in both categories. The fish spearing decoys looked up this year. The rigs were the most ever at 33. I confirmed this with Cliff Kastl. They didn't have enough mother lines for all of the diver rigs so as some were eliminated they rigged others and put them in the pool. Wildfowler singles looked a little fuller than last year with certain species way up. A quick count was 20 for bluebills with every one being a greater, which I thought was interesting. We did enter the goldeneye buddy rig and we did get eliminated again, but we weren't the first rig out this year and the world didn't come to an end when they went in the water. Next year Canvasbacks. The youth competitions had 41 entries which is the most ever by at least double so that a really encouraging sign for the future.

The antiques dealers looked to be way up with rooms all the way up to the third floor being taken, The guys that I talked to in the rooms had varing amounts of success with my buddy doing real well. Foot traffic I'd say was very light. But this is the first time that I've ever been to Cleveland in March for the show when it was 60 degrees and sunny all three days. That may have had an additional affect along with the state of the economy.

Keith's table was mobbed most of the weekend. And I got to talk to many of you fellows about decoys carving which was great.

So over all I'd say that the show was at least even to maybe a little up in entries, it seemed that there were more people there for the competitions as spectators, which is also a good sign.
 
Thanks guys, here is a little teaser till Hitch gets home:

IMG_4158.jpg


IMG_4160.jpg


IMG_4170.jpg


The goose rig in front of my swans are Rich and Kyle Hohler's:

IMG_4181.jpg


I'm not a big one for the fancy ducks and the antiques, but this one caught my eye:

IMG_4183.jpg

 
Last edited:
Chuck good job representin' the canvas. Those swans are dope dawg.

Sounds like all you homies had a sick time checking out all the skills exhibited. Kewl. Hope to see loads of bitchin photos soon.

(Just trying to keep up on my hip hop lingo, you don't use it you lose it)
Tim
 
Kris...that big redhead was awesome but the judges definitely were pulling the oversize birds out early this year. The redhead was carved by Clint Taylor from Ogdensurg, NY. It had a really cool keel on it too. I hope someone got some more photos so you can see it.
 
Sweeeeeet! Congrats Chuck. Those swans look awesome! Very cool indeed.
Must have been tight quarters in the car going over!! Ha

Best,
Brian F.
 
Always a great time, with good people! I was only there saterday afternoon but had a ball, took my 14 yr old with me and gave him a history lesson (sure glad Jeff Hay had a 1950 Maumee bay redhead out, it helped him understand where Rustle"s originated from.).
 
first time there for me, i had a great time. i even met a few people from this site, everyone there was extremely friendly. i do believe i am hooked on going.

westlake10111-2.jpg


westlake10101.jpg

westlake10113-1.jpg

 
Last edited:
Congrats on the swans chuck.
take care and God Bless
Eddie.
Its all about Building that Bond.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top