Gary wrote and stated that “I made decoys with my Dad when I was just a young kid. Then I quit for years while I was teaching…..other than making a couple to use in my spear house. When I retired, I needed a hobby. I turned back to decoy making to occupy my time. I basically made them for my self and for some friends. I got involved with other carvers, entered some competitions and did very well. I found myself spending too much time carving what was needed for the competitions….that got old…..I wanted to do what I wanted to do when I wanted to do it! Plus, I got the “bug” to try some bigger fish! I couldn’t get rid of that bug! I did a walleye, a northern and spent a year doing a 60 ” Muskie! I still make decoys……..and hand paint them all, but the bigger fish are a challenge.“
Gary has won some national awards for his decoys, but he also just likes being just Gary Kaminen, the old man that sits in his big recliner and dabs away at his decoys while watching T. V.
Photos courtesy of Gary Kaminen
You can contact Gary via email at
mari@virginiamn.com.