 One day last fall I was going to travel near Greensboro. I knew when it was planned that I was going to contact Robbie Robertson and set up a visit to his shop. When I arrived at his home I was greeted by Bell and Gus, his beloved Boykin Spaniels. As I walked down the steps toward the basement I noticed the signs welcoming you to the Rob-Coy Decoy Shop. The shop was full of decoys that had been recently painted to those with years of collected dust. Robbie and I set down and talked about duck hunts from days past and hunts soon to be made.
Robbie and his wife Ann have new granddaughter in their lives. He spends his weekdays working as a Banker for Bank of America, and his leisure time carving decoys. When the duck season comes around Robbie fills his boat with what he calls his best decoys and heads out every chance he can. There are only a few other activities that he likes more than carving or hunting decoys and he enjoys them when he’s not holding a shotgun or a knife.
Robbie has been a great supporter of the Guild and has been a member for 19 years. His carving started  about 30 years ago when he decided he wanted to hunt over decoys that he made. Robbie has never taken any formal carving or painting classes and professes by being self thaught.
During his early years coming to the guild, Robbie won his 1st Honorable Mention ribbon and he considers this to be one of is personal highlights during his carving career. At that time there wasn’t any catagories to enter your decoys. When you entered you were competing in an Open Division with unlimited rules. That ribbon still hangs near his bench as a reminder of days past.
As we sat and talked I asked Robbie what most gratifing from his carving was. He said that “being able to construct something from nothing to an utilitairian art form”. This is evident by just looking in his shop and boat and seeing hand carved decoys everywhere made from crab pot floats, foam and anything else he could carve.
Robbie’s motivation for carving decoys is to strive and make the perfect decoy. As we all know each person  likes something different when it comes to decoys. Some perfer wood some cork and for Robbie, foam material. He can do some pretty work with a sharp 6” filet knife and a piece of foam.
Before it was time for me to leave the Robertson’s to their daily activities, Robbie mentioned that of the competitions that he entered he felt that Core Sound was by far the fairest show to enter.
Robbie and Ann have been and will continue to be outstanding supporters of the Guild. The donations of decoys he sends each year are greatly appreciated and the funds made from them will help support the Guild for years to come.
Thanks Robbie for letting us get a glimpse of your shop and decoys. Best of luck in the competitions and the duck blind! |
