Kudos where KUDOS is due (pic)

Of course I'm speaking about the club workday weekend we just completed. Although there are many heroes who have been working hard the last several weeks making major improvements and getting the work done, the point of this post is primarily to thank the 2010-2011 DECOY CREW who worked to get a major operation completed....re-rig the Three Rivers Decoy flock (almost in its entirety).

Thanks to Dan Taylor (the infamous Thunder Dan), Randy "Rubberband Man" Neely, Rick Brantley, George S and son, Steve Bryd, and Matt Lane. There were others who pitched in here and there, but this group was there for the solid two days it took to complete TWO THOUSAND DECOYS! We worked our fingers to the bone, I tell ya. It takes mental fortitude to keep after fumbling with decoys...that many, for that long and this group had it. Take a close look at the picture. It's difficult to appreciate the size and scale of the footprint of all those bags of decoys on the shop floor, but you get the idea. Thats alot of 5 foot tall bags filled with alot of plastic! Rick Brantley worked at this for TWO weekends and deserves special mention, as does Antonio and Greg Holley for prep work and getting the materials to us.

The new rig is not your usual 'cut a piece of string and tie on a weight', but consists of a sliding 5 oz lead sinker weight on a length of 300 lb test monofilament with a loop crimped in both ends, and a snap swivel on one end for attaching to the keel. This rig is going to help us tend the flock in many ways, but was labor intensive to install. As you are hunting this year and moving your "blocks" around to make the perfect "j hook", notice the new decoy rig and make a mental note to thank these guys. (or buy them breakfast, or invite them to your pit when its hot, etc).

This rig has several handy features, but one I especially like is the ease of transport. I'll give you an example...lets say you have to shift the entire flock because the wind changed on you overnight.....bring a carabiner with you in your blind bag because 2-3 dozen loop ends easily fit on....just drag the dekes where you want them. Also of note, 50 dozen brand new decoys were added to the flock.

Three Rivers at your service.

grover