Bio and Mission
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 including a teaching stint in Japan, and spending several glorious years as a bird and trout bum.
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 received his first fish carving commission in 1999 from the Orvis Company.
He has been 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 30 years and 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.
18 and living the dream ca. 1981
Guiding on the East Outlet Kennebec River Maine
Surf Scoter - Working Decoy
Artist Statement
In my experience, fly fishing is often the entry point to connecting with nature and all its beautiful diversity. A connection that has become more challenging to maintain given our contemporary period’s increasing pace including ubiquitous electronic distractions. Fish carving is a vicarious connection to nature. When I create fish models from wood and paint, I feel the same inspiration and energy that I experience when spending time on the water or in the field. My intention is to honor nature and the outdoor experience, and express nature’s connecting and inspiring beauty in my carvings.