Welcome to Fine Line Retrievers
Home of Professional Retriever Trainer Rick Stawski, Originator of the Fowl Dawgs DVD Training videos
A great opportunity to join Team Fine Line in 2025
Currently we have 2 open spots for Qualifying- level or above dogs.
Rick's bio
More about Rick
In 1990 Rick Stawski started as an assistant to Wayne Curtis of Fox Hollow Kennels. In 1992 Rick and Barb began their own kennel when they established Fine Line Retrievers at Kelly Farms property near Marine on St. Croix, Minnesota. After four very successful years at their first location they began looking for their own property. In 1997 they purchased property near Milaca, Minnesota, and began developing the land for the exclusive use of training retrievers. Today the Fine Line Retrievers property is a state of the art retriever training facility. Years of working as a professional trainer has allowed Rick to determine what truly works and as a result he has developed an extremely efficient and effective training program. The secret is, as Rick says, “ I don’t use gimmicks, just basic training fundamentals, honest evaluation, and plenty of hard work.The program is obviously successful. These proven training techniques have helped Fine Line Retrievers train over 40 FC, AFC Dogs, 150+ Qualified All Age Dogs plus numerous Master National Qualifiers. Along with the success of the Field Trial training program Rick also specializes in producing the finest hunting dogs available. (Not coincidentally Rick is a fanatic waterfowl hunter as well as a competition duck caller.) Dogs trained at Fine Line Retrievers can be found in the blinds, pits, and flooded timber of many of the finest hunting properties in North America. Whether you are looking for a competitive field trial dog, hunt test dog or a “top flite” hunting dog Fine Line Retrievers can formulate a personalized program to help your dog reach its full potential.
2026 - past 3 weeks feature our fine amateurs
Vikingland Results
Vikingland Results
Genie, handled by owner Sid Sondag, Wins the Amateur! (pictured)
Flash, handled by owner Dave Pichotta, earns a JAM.
WCMRC Results
Vikingland Results
Pete, handled by owner Nancy Moran, earns 2nd Place in the Amateur.
Southern Minnesota Retriever Club Results
Bruno, handled by Rick, earns an Open JAM
Gopher State Results
Breeze, handled by owner Wayne Turczi, WINS the Amateur! (pictured)
Flash, handled by owner Dave Pichotta earns an Amateur JAM.
Mick, handled by Dave earns a JAM in the Derby!
Sad news to report
Jagger
12/11/2011 - 7/3/2026
A little dog with a HUGE heart.
We will miss you little buddy.
Sooner Results
Open
Congratulations to Roxie, owned by Stan Krycinski, for earning 4th place.
Congratulations to Flash, owned by Dave Pichotta, for earning a JAM.
Congratulations to Genie, owned by Sid Sondag, for earning a JAM.
Amateur
Congratulations to Flash (pictured), handled by Dave, for WINNING the Amateur! This Qualifies Flash for the National Amate
Open
Congratulations to Roxie, owned by Stan Krycinski, for earning 4th place.
Congratulations to Flash, owned by Dave Pichotta, for earning a JAM.
Congratulations to Genie, owned by Sid Sondag, for earning a JAM.
Amateur
Congratulations to Flash (pictured), handled by Dave, for WINNING the Amateur! This Qualifies Flash for the National Amateur in Oregon.
Derby
Congratulations to Mick, handled by Dave, for earning a JAM.
Tulsa Results
Tulsa Results
Tulsa Results
Open
Congratulations to Flash, owned by Dave Pichotta, for earning 4th place. Congratulations to Genie, owned by Sid Sondag, for earning a JAM.
Derby
Congratulations to Mick, handled by owner Dave, for earning 4th place in his first Derby.
2025 Fine line stars
HCARC Results
Vikingland Results
HCARC Results
Congratulations to Flash, handled by owner Dave Pichotta, for winning the Amateur.
Another win for Team Fine Line!
PRTA Results
Vikingland Results
HCARC Results
Congratulations to Breeze, handled by owner Wayne Turczi, for earning 4th place in his first Amateur.
Good job Wayne and Breeze!
Vikingland Results
Vikingland Results
Congratulations to Roxie, owned by Stan Krycinski, for earning 2nd place. This gives Roxie her FC title....
FC Star Lab's Rock On RoxxAnn QA2
Congratulations to Team Fine Line on another FC!
WCMRC Results
Open - Congratulations to:
Burke, and owner/handler Kip Dixon, for earning 4th place. This Qualified Burke for the National Amateur.
Flash, and owner/handler Dave Pichotta, for earning a JAM.
Amateur - Congratulations to:
Flash and Dave for earning 4th place.
A good weekend for Fine Line Amateurs!!
CMRC Results
Burke has a Special Weekend!
Burke, owned by Kip Dixon (both pictured), wins the Amateur giving him his AFC title!
Burke, handled by Rick, places 4th in the Open.
Other Open results:
Bruno, owned by Sylvia Lewelling, earns a JAM.
Congratulations to Burke and owner/handler Kip Dixon for winning the Amateur!
Congratulations to Team Fine Line!!
Northwest Iowa Results
Congratulations Flash and owner Dave Pichotta for earning 2nd place in the Open!
Congrats Team Fine Line!!
HCARC Results
Lone Star Results
Open:
Roxie (pictured), owned by Stan Krycinski, wins and qualifies for the National Open
Burke, owned by Kip Dixon, earns a JAM
Qualifying:
Addie, handled by owner Greg Anderson, earns 2nd place
Drifter, handled by owner Greg Anderson, earns a JAM
Congrats Team Fine Line!!
Lone Star Results
Lone Star Results
DERBY:
Seger (pictured), owned by Sylvia Lewelling, earns 1st place
Wilma, owned by Carson Foster, earns RJ
OPEN:
Flash, owned by Dave Pichotta, earns RJ
Burke, owned by Kip Dixon, earns JAM
Bruno, owned by Sylvia Lewelling, earns JAM
Congrats to all!
Metro Alliance field trial results
Roxie (pictured left), owned by Stan Krycinski, earns 2nd place in the Open.
Drifter (pictured right), owned by Greg Anderson, earns 2nd place in Qualifying (second week in a row).
Congrats Team Fine Line!
Red River Results
Congratulations to the following...
Open:
4th place: Bruno, owner Sylvia Lewelling
JAM: Burke, owner Kip Dixon
Qualifying:
2nd place: Drifter, owner Greg Anderson
RJ: Genie, owner/handler Sid Sondag
Derby:
4th place: Wilma, owner Carson Foster
RJ: Seger, owner Sylvia Lewelling
Congrats Team Fine Line!
Rose Country Results
Rose Country Results
Congratulations to Genie, owned by Sid Sondag, for winning the Qualifying (pictured right).
Congratulations to George, owned by Tom Newell, for getting 4th place (pictured left).
Site Content
Field Trial Training
Field Trial Training
Field Trial Training
- 165 acres of land & water groomed
- Specializes in young dog training, puppy through transition
- Indoor heated kennel building
- Tailored training programs for your dog's needs
- Winter training in Texas
- Excellent young dog program proven to work
1993 - 2019 Winter trip dogs
- 150+ QAA (Qualified All Age)
- 40+ FC and AFC
- 500+ Derby points
Gun Dog Training
Field Trial Training
Field Trial Training
- 165 Acres of Land & Water Groomed Exclusively for Dog Training
- Indoor Heated Kennel Building
- Tailored Training Programs for Your Dog's Needs
- Training home of FC Carl with a K and other canine stars of RNT-V television show
- Winter Training in Texas
Training Programs:
- One-Month Basic Obedience
- Three-Month Gun Dog Program:
- Intro to Ducks and Pheasants
- Basic Obedience
- Force Fetch
- Collar Conditioning
- Steady to Shot
- Quartering
Rates
Seminars
Seminars
- Training: $1075/month
- Trial handling: $50
- Trial travel: $50
- Handling + Travel: $100
- Birds (ducks & pheasants): $20 each
- Heartworm / Tick protection (required): $25/month
- Airport pick-up / delivery: $100 one-way
- Vet trip: $50
- Day training: $40
