Twenty-three years ago a couple guys, crazy about decoys and spear fishing, got together and decided it was time to make something meaningful and lasting.​

​The movement has grown to become a national phenomenon, but our mission is the same now as it was then:

• preserve the art of fish decoy carving

• promote the artists who create these timeless masterpieces
  
  NFDA Board of Directors

• Jared Sypnieski, Clearwater, MN President

• Sharon Thomas, MN Vice President

• Brad Lange, Perham, MN, Treasurer

• John Peters, Menahga, MN Secretary

• Andy Ripley, Erhard MN

• Harley Ragen, Chassell, MI

• Ron Hamm, Frazee, MN

• Eric Wallace, MN

• Ryan Ebert, Fort Atkinson, WI

• Rod Osvold, Perham, MN

• Samuel Coalson, Saint Cloud, MN

• Tim Fowler, MN

• Shaun Reeg, Bronson, MI

• Andrew Gardner, Bayonet Point, FL

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​The National Fish Decoy Association, also known as N.F.D.A., was founded by Rod Osvold of Perham ,MN., back when he operated an antique store for a few years in the town of Frazee, with Minnesota’s Master Carver, John Jensen. They also included a local web master by the name of Dale Mckay to help jump start the organization.

The NFDA was founded to help living decoy carvers to market their carvings through the Internet, preserve some of the old heritage, and maybe inspire young people to carve decoys and go darkhouse spearing.  The NFDA was to work hand in hand with The Gathering, an antique sporting collectable and fish decoy show that was promoted by Rod in Perham. Now entering it’s 23rd year, there is nothing like “The Gathering”.

If you want to start carving fish decoys or are interested in spear fishing for pike, when you come to Perham, every one of these guys and gals will be more than willing to talk with you and share their secrets.
What’s unique about all the contests that are set up for the carvers is the variety of fish and bird species covered, plus many classes or divisions are purchase awards, so the carvers have a chance to pay out their trip.  For the 20th Anniversary show held in 2016 they were able to raise over $30,000.00 in cash payouts for the carvers from high end collectors.

The NFDA is also involved in promoting the annual Fish House Festival held each July at New York Mills, MN. This is where we have artists and decoy carvers painting Ron Hamm custom spear houses in the street, which are later raffled off or sold at live auction that evening. They usually have time to paint some decoys during the day, which are also sold at auction. Inside the NYM Cultural Center we usually exhibit several carvers for 30 days. Most years we also have kids decoy painting on the street. For $5.00 the kids get a Larry Lange decoy to paint and keep when they are done making a paint mess of the table.

In early December we get involved up at Park Rapids, MN. , with their MN Decoy Carver of the Year Contest and show, hosted by the local MN Dark House Chapter.

In March we team up with the MN Fishing Museum at Little Falls,MN., and host a buying show at the Falls Ballroom. This is a lively one day show with sporting collectables, duck decoys, and fish decoys. The annual contest is the Bob Johnson Memorial Invitational. This show also hosts the MN Fishing Museum decoy Carver of the Year. This is a great contest as the winners of this purchase award class have their decoys on permanent display at the Fishing Museum.