Photos courtesy of the T. Johnson collection

Otis Lael only made a handful of the fish decoy boxes. Historically a fish

decoy box, (often called a "kit") was used to transport a spear fisherman's

fish decoys to and from the frozen lake. This box has a multitude of folk-art

embellishments, and it really takes several minutes to enjoy all the details when

viewing the box. This side features several fish, a frog, and a wooden nickel.

Notice the handle supports that represent northern pike, and the turtle inside the box.

 

 

 

Around the edge of the box the following is stamped into the wood...

-  COME BIG SLOW FISH BE OUR GUEST  - 

-  SO OUR TABLE WILL BE BLESSED  -

-  OTIS LAEL PINE RIVER  -

-  GOD BE WITH SHARP SPEARS  4-3-05  -

There are two turtles and a fish affixed to the inside bottom of the box.