It may be a child's first four inch Crappie caught from Grandpa's pond or a once in a lifetime "monster" Northern Pike landed on that dream vacation. Suddenly you have a trophy fish and you want to have it mounted. Each trophy fish is special and exciting to the angler and care should be taken to ensure that it will last for many years to come. Most of us do not go fishing with the thought of having our catch mounted, but when that "big one" is in your net it's a good idea to have a plan.
When having your trophy preserved, choose a taxidermist carefully. Not all wildlife artists can or will mount fish due to the difficulty in sculpting and re-creating the actual anatomy and color. There are several factors to consider when searching for the right taxidermist to mount your fish. Everyone likes a bargain, but quality taxidermy is an art and later you may regret having price determine your taxidermist.
When evaluating a taxidermist it is best to visit their studio to see how their fish actually look. There are several qualities that distinguish a well mounted fish. Do the fish in the studio seem to come alive on the wall or do they look like they should be in the garage behind dusty flower pots and old tires? Do the fish mounts drip oil and have an odor from not being properly cleaned and prepared by the taxidermist prior to mounting?
Knowing the right questions and what characteristics to look for in your taxidermists mounts is helpful. Many people realize only after catching their dream fish, that they have never really studied a mounted fish.
Doing some homework will help insure your satisfaction and happiness with the finished result.
Among the questions to ask your potential taxidermist are:
Do you hand carve the body or use a stock form from a manufacturer? Hand carving the form assures the length and girth measurements are true to your fish and also the shape of your fish is what you want. There are several manufacturers of quality fish forms, but with pre-made forms it is harder to get the Acustom look@ and size of your actual fish.
Do you sew or staple the back (or non-show side) of the fish? A good fish artist will sew the skin tightly and make a perfect fit. If there are gaps and puckers, then the fish you are getting back is not the actual size of the fish you caught.
Are both eyes affixed and are both sides of the fish painted? You caught a whole fish and when you display your trophy don't you want people to see the whole thing? Finishing both sides of the fish may take a little longer, but the result is worth the effort.
Do you paint your fish from actual customer photos or from a paint schedule? Each fish is different as each person is different. Your rainbow trout may come from the high mountains in Colorado in July. Do you want your taxidermist to paint it the same as a rainbow trout from a California hatchery caught in February? An artist knows how to paint your fish as in your photo, not as a paint by number kit.
Is the mouth of the fish sculpted as well as the gills and the vent? Hand sculpting the anatomical parts of the fish correctly takes more time, but makes the fish appear alive. You wouldn't want a portrait of your child painted without his nose would you?
Once you have selected your taxidermist, you should know what to do to make their job a little easier. Some simple supplies to keep in your tackle box just in case are a camera, cloth measuring tape, 20 Mule Team Borax (which can be found at most grocery stores), newspaper and a plastic bag.
When you have removed the hook from your fish, if possible, refrain from putting it on a stringer as it can be damaged. Take a number of photos of your fish in good light. Your pictures should be of both sides of the fish as well as one or two with you holding it. In addition to being a great way to remember your trip, it's another way to track your fish for identification purposes.
Weigh and measure your fish from the nose to the tail and then take the girth measurement at the widest part around the fish. Next dust your fish liberally with the borax this helps preserve the color of the fish wrap it in newspaper and put it into a plastic bag. Store your fish in a clean, dry cooler or a refrigerator. Moisture will rapidly make your fish lose it's color so keep it dry. Freeze the fish if it will be several days or longer before you can get it to the taxidermist.
Many "catch and release" fisherman do not know that they also can have their trophies mounted. Reproduction fish are becoming more and more popular as the catch and release water areas are growing.
If you are in "catch and release" waters a few strategies will help you get a nice replicate fish mount and also help the fish you catch to return to the water with less stress. As soon as you know you want to have the fish you hooked replicated, wet your hands before handling your fish being careful to avoid touching the lateral line of the fish as little as possible. This line is located along each side of the fish and is the nerve center for the fish. Rough, or dry contact greatly adds to the stress of the fish. Take your measurements and photos quickly as the fish shouldn't be removed from the water for more than a few seconds.
When reintroducing a fish back into the water never throw it into the water. Gently hold the fish by it's tail facing the current to let water flow through it's mouth and through the gills. The more time you fought the fish the more lactic acid is in the fish's system and the more time you need to spend giving the fish the best possible chance to safely return back to the water. The fish will let you know when it is ready by swimming away.
There are many wonderful wildlife artists in our country who have taken the time to study the craft of taxidermy who genuinely and passionately wish to further the positive image and growth taxidermy has seen in the last several years. Being careful to choose men and women who take care of the details and who produce mounts in a manner which is both respectful to the animal and the customer is vital to both the hunting and fishing industry as well as to the art of taxidermy. When you do your part to make things go well for your taxidermist, you are not only able to place a thing of beauty on your wall or table, you are able to help further an art form which was threatened in years past.
Anne Vinnola is a freelance writer and along with her husband owns The Colorado Institute of Taxidermy Training Inc. and Big Timber South Taxidermy, in Canon City Colorado. Visit them at cotaxidermy.net or www.coloradotaxidermyschool.com 1-800-733-6936
