Fish Taxidermy - how is it done?

Looking for a fish taxidermist? Please use the search box below.

Fish taxidermy is a popular form of taxidermy often required by anglers.

There are a number of taxidermists who specialise in this line of work and some can be found on the internet. Do a search for ' fish taxidermy ' and look for ones who display pictures of their work on their website.

If you're interested in the techniques of fish taxidermy and how it is done by an expert, there are some good videos available from Bob Reid.

The Fish taxidermy instructional video demonstrates how Bob prepares a resin and fibreglass reproduction of a leaping salmon using the method of using a mould and cast. The video also includes a traditional way of preparing a fish using a Bass as the subject. Information is also included about how air brushing techniques are used to add the finishing touches.

As well as the fish taxidermy video Bob has other taxidermy videos available including two about bird taxidermy, plus one about preparing small animals, and one about medium animals (using a fox as the subjet) and there’s also one about trophy mounting in which he uses a fallow buck head as the main subject.

All titles were developed for the Taxidermy Courses of Instruction, devised by Bob Reid of Snowdonia Taxidermy Studios, for students of Taxidermy in the UK as well as on the continent.

Taxidermy - Today's Replicas Help Tomorrows Fisherman and Anglers
By Troy Denson

As the human population continues to grow, more and more individuals have become hooked on fishing. Never has there been a better time to consider having that trophy fish yove caught reproduced out of fiberglass.

In the past, it was necessary for anglers to keep and kill the fish they caught and then take it to the local fish taxidermist. Once there, the taxidermist would perform the standard process of preserving the skin, eyes and fins while stuffing the inside of the fish with filling. This was a time consuming and expensive process.

Today, the process of replicating fish has come along way.Today's taxidermists use molds custom made from fish in the past, to create standard fiberglass fish mounts, replicating the mold. Each mold can be used over and over.

The final step of a successful taxidermist process is the airbrushing. The
airbrushing separates the experienced and talented fiberglass taxidermists from those who are not. Sometimes fiberglass fish mounts can get a bad review. This is because all mounts are not built the same. Poor craftsmanship and a bad airbrush artist can degrade the integrity of the mount.

However, with a good taxidermist who recreates a lifelike mount, coupled with a talented airbrush artist, can create vibrant and incredibly realistic mounts. With every detail included, your mount can look exactly like your memorable catch. Ultimately, this allows anglers to release their prize catch, yet still obtain a memorabilia.

What's the advantage you ask? Fiberglas fish replicas offer the following advantages over old school fish taxidermy:

(1) easy to clean

(2) more affordable

(3) lighter and easier to hang

(4) fiberglass won't crack or rot over time

but most important

(5) fiberglass fish mounts allow you to release the fish to be caught again

Ok, now that you understand the value of fiberglass fish mounts, consider this. In 2000, a central Florida taxidermy shop decided to take fiberglass taxidermy to the next level. They decided to take their straightest molds and create half sided mounts that are hollow on the backside. Well, that sounds funny you might say, but think about it. When the fish mount is up on the wall, you are only viewing the outer portion and the wall hides the backside. This process, which takes about half the time to produce, ends up looking identical to a full
mount minus the backside. Nautical decorators and restaurant owners find
the half sided fish mounts to be perfect for their needs.

The half sided mounts take up less room, cost less, and are easier to clean, essentially creating a huge selling advantage. Next time you are inside of a seafood restaurant be sure to check out the fish on the wall and see if that restaurant is utilizing half sided mounts as their decoration.

Remember, the most important feature is the preservation of our ocean.
By choosing a half mount fish replica, this will help insure that our children and our childres children can continue to enjoy in the excitement of catch and release sport fishing.

Copyright Troy Denson of Mount This Fish Mounts http://www.mountthis.net

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