GRANITE FALLS, Minn. — Host Bret Amundson is in Alexandria spearing with decoys handcrafted by Glen Tomoson's grandparents in the 1950s and visits the Legacy of the Lakes Museum. “Lakes and Legacies'' airs on Pioneer PBS Sunday, February 20 at 7:30 p.m.
Glen Tomoson of Alberta has a collection of old spearing decoys that his grandfather Charlie carved and grandmother Bertina painted in the 1950s. They made about 1,000 decoys a year for 10 years up until Charlie’s death in 1960. The lures were named Chet Buss decoys after Charlie’s friend and work colleague who sold them to bait shops in the Alexandria area. Bret joined Glen and his sons at a darkhouse on Lake Geneva where they are spearing for northerns with the handcrafted decoys.
Next, Bret visits the Legacy of the Lakes Museum in Alexandria that was founded by collectors of old wood boats. The museum features vintage classics by boatwrights such as Gar Wood, Chris-Craft, Fay & Bowen and Alexandria Boat Works, which made Lady of the Lakes boats. When fiberglass boats came on the scene, many boat owners gave up their old wood boats that required more maintenance than modern boats. But several vintage boat enthusiasts started a nonprofit to purchase and renovate a city building and turn it into the Minnesota Lakes Maritime Museum that featured restored boats. The name was later changed to Legacy of the Lakes to reflect other aspects of the area's history such as fishing, recreation and the thriving resort industry that dates back to the 1800s.
About Prairie Sportsman
Prairie Sportsman is an Emmy-awarded series that celebrates our love of the outdoors to hunt, fish and recreate, while promoting environmental stewardship. Prairie Sportsman’s team includes Cindy Dorn, producer/writer; Bret Amundson, host/editor; and Dylan Curfman, editor/videographer. The 2022 season is made possible by funding from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, SafeBasements of Minnesota, Live Wide Open, Western Minnesota Prairie Waters and members of Pioneer PBS.
About Pioneer PBS
Established in 1966, Pioneer PBS is an award-winning, viewer-supported television station dedicated to sharing local stories of the region with the world. For more information visit www.pioneer.org.
