Tag Archives: Artisans

Artisans Gone Wild: Creative living inspired by canoes

It’s been my privilege over the years to profile different artisans for publications. All have been exceptional and creative people, from wood carvers and bamboo rod builders to painters, canoe and kayak builders, fly tiers and decoy carvers. I’ve  enjoyed … Continue reading

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Artist looks to fund Alaskan painting expedition

Canoeing and painting are the backbone of Rob Mullen’s life. The West Bolton, Vermont expedition artist and executive director of  the Wilderness River Expedition Art Fellowship, a non-profit he founded to encourage artists to immerse themselves in wild, natural terrain, … Continue reading

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Northern Michigan fishing guide builds big boats for small rivers

By Howard Meyerson INDIAN RIVER, MI — While enjoying breakfast at a north woods restaurant just after dawn, Phil Croff noticed some men in the parking lot ogling his boat. They got out of their truck and made a bee-line … Continue reading

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Big Fish: Wood carver enjoys fishing for those fish he carves

By Howard Meyerson SYLVAN LAKE, MI — Bob Batchik has long been hooked on fish and fishing: bluegills, trout, bass, pike and perch. He isn’t fussy. He likes them all – particularly if he has a carving knife in hand. … Continue reading

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The romance of the courting canoe era is alive and well at Ken Kelly’s place

The lore and romance of early 20th Century wood and canvas canoes, and a modern-day man who collects them,  is the subject of a feature story by me in the newest issue of Canoeroots Magazine. It is called “The Canoe Collector.” … Continue reading

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New driftboat design coming from Phil Croff; construction to be documented on Fiberglass Manifesto

If you enjoyed the story earlier this fall about Phil  Croff, the northern Michigan wood driftboat builder and owner of Croff Craft Custom Driftboats, you will want to check out Cameron Mortenson’s Blog, The Fiberglass Manifesto. Mortenson just announced that he plans … Continue reading

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Michigan’s Croff Craft Custom Driftboats; small boats with big attitude

By Howard Meyerson Phil Croff wasn’t planning to start a boat-building business when he constructed his first driftboat in 2006, using Michigan cedar and walnut. He was looking for a safe way to fish rivers at night—a time when big … Continue reading

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Wooden Boat Shows Aplenty in Michigan this Summer

By Howard Meyerson Michigan’s wood boat building history comes to life every summer in Great Lakes shoreline communities.  It’s a time when quaint harbor towns celebrate the state’s boating heritage with wooden boat shows that showcase the gleaming varnish finishes … Continue reading

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Building a whaleboat: Students tackle unusual project at Upper Peninsula boat building school

By Howard Meyerson CEDARVILLE, MI — We don’t hear much about whaling in the Great Lakes, but that’s the talk in this quaint northern Lake Huron town. Whaling and whaleboats have become a popular topic. The Great Lakes Boat Building … Continue reading

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Wooden canoe enthusiasts gather on the AuSable River

By Howard Meyerson It was a quintessential fall day: cool and sunny with color in the trees, bold splashes of yellow and orange lining the banks of the AuSable River. What made it all the more colorful was company I … Continue reading

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