THE HISTORY OF TROPHY FISH CARVING


The Tradition Continues



Mike Butler


Black Mountain, North Carolina, U.S.A.



Mike Butler�s carving origins follow a circuitous path back to the 1970�s when as a Junior champion road cyclist he developed an appreciation for the period�s beautifully rendered hand made racing bicycles, and passion for his interests. Educated at the University of Maine with some influential experiences along the way that included a teaching stint in Japan, spending several glorious years as a bird and trout bum, and a fly fishing guide - �a pleasant way to be compensated for one of my passions and be near the species that inspires me to recreate them from wood and paint.�

He began carving working decoys in the mid-nineties as a duck hunter enamored with the art and beauty of finely crafted decoys, but his passion for fly fishing and trout made for a natural transition to fish carving.

He is an active and dedicated cold water conservationist, especially in regard to endangered Atlantic salmon, and a former Trout Unlimited chapter president. He has been fly fishing for more than 20 years and has guided for more than a decade.

His mission is to create unique heirloom quality fish carvings while mitigating their environmental footprint, advocate Catch and Release angling and the conservation of wild indigenous fish species and their habitat.


Mike Butler
Here Mike is guiding on the East Outlet of the Kennebec River in Maine. This beautiful handbuilt mahogany 18' Rogue River driftboat was built by Mike and was once featured on the cover of Trout magazine.


To learn more about Mike Butler's work, click HERE


Mike Butler Carving
Atlantic Salmon Trophy Carving


Mike Butler Carving
Detail photo
Mike Butler Carving
Detail photo
Mike Butler Carving
Detail photo

Mike Butler Carving
Atlantic Salmon Trophy Carving


Mike Butler Carving
Bull Trout Trophy Carving


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