SEPTEMBER ~ What's on your workbench ?

[Dave Speer]

It's still 30 minutes until midnight in my time zone, but I can't help it, I'm fired up, because

LET'S KICK OFF HUNTING SEASON!

Picklehead pair:

NDR Here is a green phase Brazilian soapstone fish carving I did, mounted on mesquite. While being just a generic fish riding a riverbed, it lives now in a very appropriate home, trout capital of the world, Bozeman, Montana.

And another diversion, "Tails UP!"

... back to the birds... Two bird commission for one of our coastal duck guides:

Crowell-style snipe:

And finally, yes, there are more projects on my workbench in various states, here's a couple more decoys getting glued up. They haven't progressed at all since then, been SO busy!

 

[John Unruh]

Some nice looking work there Dave, especially like that Redhead !

 

[Matt DeFore]

Cool Stuff Dave. I think I see a gaddie in there!

 

[jode hillman]

Dave, you've been blasting out some cool stuff lately. I like your little green soapstome fish I saw somewhere too

 

[jode hillman]

I missed last month and maybe July too..............Too many long days in the shop and nights out searching for river monsters.

A few of the things I'm lagging on sharing.

 

[Kris Schaumburg]

Jode,


I caught this little guy the other day. That box is calling me, I like it, but not in budget this month

 

[jode hillman]

Sweet, that's a nice YFin. Some good grub right there!

No worries , I always make a few extra boxes. I'm sure one will be hanging around come spring. I was pleasantly surprised how the box elder and Purpleheart sound together.

 

[Carl]

Sushi!!!

 

[John Unruh]

Jode ,as always very nice. One question for you , behind the tail of that tip up, are two types of gouges , are they something you made or inherited from way back when?

 

[jode hillman]

Thanks John, are you referring to the two scorps hanging horizontally? They were hand forged by a blacksmith out in Washington state. I can't remember the guy's name. Bill Kennedy from Tx had a few extra for sale at Westlake one year. I snapped them up. No faster and cleaner way to hollow a decoy.

 

[John Unruh]

Jode, yes those are the ones, I think the only other time I,ve seen them is in Chesser Grayson's book.I'll have to keep a eye out on vintage tools ,never know when you can get lucky ! Thanks .

 

[Jeffrey Nelson]

It's been a few months since I have posted any decoys. Been a long hot Summer down here this year. Either I'm getting older or it's getting hotter. A little hard to get motivated. I've been working or not since June to finish these three decoys. Glad to see them done.
Dave, some cool stuff you've been making.
Jode, who doesn't like a nice butt.
Kris, nice yellowfin
Here's what I got. Two tree ducks and a coot

 

[MLBob Furia]

Back to some painting this weekend with the new "Shop Steward":

View attachment Mall6.jpg View attachment Mall8.jpg
View attachment Mall12.jpg View attachment Mall16.jpg
View attachment Mall15.jpg

 

[Pat Gregory]

Bob - Alittle puppy chew on that mallard would give it character... pg

 

[Brad Bortner]

Pat, you are such a trouble maker.

 

[Pat Gregory]

Hey! It would be a real keepsake! And, it's only a mallard...

 

[RLLigman]

Pat, NOW you're being a troublemaker!

 

[Carl]

I thought it, but Pat actually wrote it!

 

[jode hillman]

Jeff, Glad to see you back in the shop, stuff is looking great!

Bob , I wish we had the mallards here like you have out your way. Very few and far between. That looks great. Is that a real Mallard tail curl Like you sometimes do?

Some of you may have seen this, but for those that have not; it took two years to bring myself to complete this one.

This was probably the toughest decoy I have made. Not technically or paint wise, but because of the memories it holds. Belle was my gunning partner for 13 years and a companion for 15. Probably the best retriever I'll have the pleasure of sharing a sneak box with. Miss ya girl. Thanks to my friend Lenny for the great retrieving pic.

 

[Dave Speer]

That's a real nice tribute, Jode.