I got a few fish mounts back today
Re..
Awesome looking mounts. Care to let me in on who your taxidermist is? I'm hoping to get a bass on the wall this year before college.
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Markus
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I get all my work done by Greg at Simon's Taxidermy in Jerico. I really like his work.
Just a couple tips for anyone wanting to get one of their fish mounted. Try to get a couple good photo's of it as soon as you catch it. You then wanna get it home and get it to the taxidermeit or into your freezer. If you're going to freeze it, wrap it tightly in suran wrap. Then put it in a garbage bag and role the air out ofit and seal it tight. Then just freeze it.
BBR, I'm looking for a bass this season too. I got a good groan out of Greg when I told him that I'm also going trophy Laker hunting on Nipigon this summer.
He loves air brushing all those spots on!
Just a couple tips for anyone wanting to get one of their fish mounted. Try to get a couple good photo's of it as soon as you catch it. You then wanna get it home and get it to the taxidermeit or into your freezer. If you're going to freeze it, wrap it tightly in suran wrap. Then put it in a garbage bag and role the air out ofit and seal it tight. Then just freeze it.
BBR, I'm looking for a bass this season too. I got a good groan out of Greg when I told him that I'm also going trophy Laker hunting on Nipigon this summer.
He loves air brushing all those spots on! 
Just curious as to why you didn't go for replicas...?
A few reasons to do a replica instead of a skin mount:
- They look better and last longer.
- Cost is about the same
- The fish does not need to die
For those of you that have doubts about the accuracy of a replica over the real thing; with today’s digital cameras, you can get good shots and close ups of patterns and so on that the artists can use for painting – this is often better reference then the actual fish which is dead and pale by the time they get to a taxidermist.
If you take good notes with length and a few girth measurements, replicas can be just as if not more accurate then the real thing.
This post is not meant as a “slamâ€, but just to be sure people know this is a valid option that should be explored before deciding to kill a trophy.
A few reasons to do a replica instead of a skin mount:
- They look better and last longer.
- Cost is about the same
- The fish does not need to die
For those of you that have doubts about the accuracy of a replica over the real thing; with today’s digital cameras, you can get good shots and close ups of patterns and so on that the artists can use for painting – this is often better reference then the actual fish which is dead and pale by the time they get to a taxidermist.
If you take good notes with length and a few girth measurements, replicas can be just as if not more accurate then the real thing.
This post is not meant as a “slamâ€, but just to be sure people know this is a valid option that should be explored before deciding to kill a trophy.
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Canadian Bacon
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I didn't get a replica because..it doesn't even look close to as good..I have personally neve seen a good replica....Just curious as to why you didn't go for replicas...?
A few reasons to do a replica instead of a skin mount:
- They look better and last longer.
- Cost is about the same
- The fish does not need to die
It costs considerably more..like 3 times more..
and I will (as a good friend said b4) only ever take one of each species.
I too don't want to argue about this either because it has been done to death and I do understand your reasonings but all my mount will be skin.
I agree with catch and release( and do release more than 90%) but I do like to eat a few here and there and will mount some from time to time.
I want to make clear though that I would always follow MNR guidlines when it comes to mounting or any other reg.
I think it is a choice and a preferance tha each individual can make on thier own andnot be critisized for..
Last edited by Canadian Bacon on Tue Feb 15, 2005 3:12 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Markus
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- Location: Nova Scotia/St Catharines
Thanks schteevie, your point is a good one and a good option for folks to consider.
But I like skin mounts.
The technology arguement can apply to skin mounts too. There's better paints, finishes and techniques (ex molded salmoniod heads) used today that are preserve the fish much better than years ago.
Price is no where comparable for me. I give my guy a lot of work and get a great rate, a replica would have cost a lot more.
As for the fish dying...I eat/release a lot walleye, this one just found itself going on display instead of my stomach and as for the muski, it'll be the only one I keep in my entire life.
I do urge everyone to consider both options when you decide you want a trophy for the wall. Each angler will have thier own preference.
But I like skin mounts.
The technology arguement can apply to skin mounts too. There's better paints, finishes and techniques (ex molded salmoniod heads) used today that are preserve the fish much better than years ago.
Price is no where comparable for me. I give my guy a lot of work and get a great rate, a replica would have cost a lot more.
As for the fish dying...I eat/release a lot walleye, this one just found itself going on display instead of my stomach and as for the muski, it'll be the only one I keep in my entire life.
I do urge everyone to consider both options when you decide you want a trophy for the wall. Each angler will have thier own preference.
Nice mounts.
I particularly like the fact that they are mounted on driftwood(or similar) as I prefer the look over a plain board in most cases.
Bacon or anyone - If you ever want to consider a replica, Advanced Taxidermy makes incredible replicas and have won many awards. Definitely where I would look if wanting a replica!
It's obviously a personal decision as to which type of mount to get and I respect the choice of the individual in whichever type they choose.
I particularly like the fact that they are mounted on driftwood(or similar) as I prefer the look over a plain board in most cases.
Bacon or anyone - If you ever want to consider a replica, Advanced Taxidermy makes incredible replicas and have won many awards. Definitely where I would look if wanting a replica!
It's obviously a personal decision as to which type of mount to get and I respect the choice of the individual in whichever type they choose.
yeah - "Advanced Taxidermy" those are the guys I was trying to think of... And they are Local I believe!
If anyone wants to use the "replicas don't look as good" argument have a look at their work...
Here is a good example of a detailed bass head close up.
Anyway - every one has thier reasons, but if you shop around, the relpica prices ARE comperable, and they do look great and that trpohy lives for some one else to experience.
Here is thier home page for more images:
http://www.advancedtaxidermy.com/
If anyone wants to use the "replicas don't look as good" argument have a look at their work...
Here is a good example of a detailed bass head close up.
Anyway - every one has thier reasons, but if you shop around, the relpica prices ARE comperable, and they do look great and that trpohy lives for some one else to experience.
Here is thier home page for more images:
http://www.advancedtaxidermy.com/
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Markus
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- Location: Nova Scotia/St Catharines
I agree 100% that replicas look awesome and as good as the real thing. I do have to admit though, the ones I see at the shows that are promoting the replicas look absolutely phenominal. I've seen 3 guys get fish replicas and they all came back with "stock" parts (fins, tails, ect) and not only looked different from their originals, but looked like toys. That being said, my buddy down the road has the Ontario record blue gill and he was given a replica of it and it looks fantastic.
I think there's good and bad work out there. I think the bad work compares to the skin mounts and the good work is $$$. Weather you choose a skin mount or a replica, make sure you check references before comitting to a job.
Salmon, Jonathons Brown Trout was on the table when I was there today!
I think there's good and bad work out there. I think the bad work compares to the skin mounts and the good work is $$$. Weather you choose a skin mount or a replica, make sure you check references before comitting to a job.
Salmon, Jonathons Brown Trout was on the table when I was there today!
That is great work for sure!
I have a feeling this guy will be getting alot of work out of this....and he should be!
Replicas vs. Skins....been there done that....up to the person footin the bill....I've never seen a replica of anything but a bass that I'd be happy with.....
On a sidenote....Gordo was tellin me this week that his taxidermist called and told him the walleye he got in the Ottawa this fall had 2 tumours in its skull so big he wasn't sure how it was still alive...
...I told Gordo no wonder he caught it....he can only fool the handicapped ones...
Pack em very carefully!!!!!!
RJ
I have a feeling this guy will be getting alot of work out of this....and he should be!
Replicas vs. Skins....been there done that....up to the person footin the bill....I've never seen a replica of anything but a bass that I'd be happy with.....
On a sidenote....Gordo was tellin me this week that his taxidermist called and told him the walleye he got in the Ottawa this fall had 2 tumours in its skull so big he wasn't sure how it was still alive...
...I told Gordo no wonder he caught it....he can only fool the handicapped ones... Pack em very carefully!!!!!!
RJ
That is great work for sure. I agree with ya RJ. It all depends who foots the bill! I do my own taxidermy and it's alot cheaper for me to do the skin mount than a replica....hundreds of dollars cheaper. The cost of a mount is not in the material but in the labor.RJ wrote:That is great work for sure!
I have a feeling this guy will be getting alot of work out of this....and he should be!
Replicas vs. Skins....been there done that....up to the person footin the bill....I've never seen a replica of anything but a bass that I'd be happy with.....
On a sidenote....Gordo was tellin me this week that his taxidermist called and told him the walleye he got in the Ottawa this fall had 2 tumours in its skull so big he wasn't sure how it was still alive...
Pack em very carefully!!!!!!
RJ
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steve-hamilton
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my friend got his 14 lbs BoQ walleye mounted, skin, and it looks horrible.
so it goes both ways. i just dont have the heart to tell him his fish looks like crap. of course, he only paid some 320 dollars for it, and the replica from Advanced would probably have cost him a Grand.
I know, without a doubt, when i catch my trophy, i'm NOT getting a replica, OR a skin mount.
No point killing it for my own fun and enjoyment, and also no point in putting a fake fish on my wall...
For me, the only real enjoyment will be getting a perfect picture...(probably about 12-15 different shots), then getting a professional, blowup, and laminated copy.
THis way i'll be able to see the background, and get a true feel for the fish and fight. Also, in the corner will be an indent of the release of the fish.
I was very close to having it done with my Carp, but i just dont see the Carp being worth it.
Bass, Walleye, Muskie, Pike, or Salmon/Trout, definately.
but no matter what your choice, as long as you are following legal regulations, you are fine with me!
so it goes both ways. i just dont have the heart to tell him his fish looks like crap. of course, he only paid some 320 dollars for it, and the replica from Advanced would probably have cost him a Grand.
I know, without a doubt, when i catch my trophy, i'm NOT getting a replica, OR a skin mount.
No point killing it for my own fun and enjoyment, and also no point in putting a fake fish on my wall...
For me, the only real enjoyment will be getting a perfect picture...(probably about 12-15 different shots), then getting a professional, blowup, and laminated copy.
THis way i'll be able to see the background, and get a true feel for the fish and fight. Also, in the corner will be an indent of the release of the fish.
I was very close to having it done with my Carp, but i just dont see the Carp being worth it.
Bass, Walleye, Muskie, Pike, or Salmon/Trout, definately.
but no matter what your choice, as long as you are following legal regulations, you are fine with me!
Last edited by steve-hamilton on Tue Feb 15, 2005 5:20 pm, edited 1 time in total.