Mount Your Trophy Fish Without Killing It

WILD BILL

By Bill Schneider, 8-10-06



	Photo courtesy of Steve Faechner of the Academy of Realistic Taxidermy (A.R.T.), Havre, Montana, www.taxidermyart.net.

One of the things, if not the main thing, that keeps anglers going, casting and casting and casting, is the thought that the next cast might be the one that hooks that trophy fish. It doesn't happen often, maybe only once in a lifetime, and you never know when. It could be the next cast.

When it finally happens, when you finally make the right cast in the right place with the right fly or lure, and hook the big one, be prepared for one of the most difficult decisions of your life. You've been waiting for this moment all your life, but in a span of less than a minute, you must decide whether to kill this marvelous fish and mount it above your fireplace or let it go to spawn thousands of its kind and make another angler's day.

But now, thankfully, anglers have an option of having their trophy mounted without killing it.

I faced this dilemma in June while fishing in northeastern Saskatchewan when I caught trophy-sized northern pike and walleye. I released both fish, but fortunately, I have photos and measurements. I didn't know about the new option I had until I started showing the photos around, and now, I'm elated about having my trophies mounted and still feeling good inside about not killing them.

For decades, taxidermists made trophy mounts from frozen fish, taking the skin off and stretching it over a foam or plaster mount and then painting it to match your catch and sealing it with clear preservatives to stand the test of time. Obviously, this requiring taking the best of the best out of the lake or stream, something most serious anglers disdain.

The catch-and-release trend--or CPR (catch it-photograph it-release it)--is a strong, and a new innovation in the taxidermy, the advent of replica mounts, fits perfectly with this conservation ethic.

So, when you catch that big one--on the next cast, of course--be prepared with a camera and tape measure. Take multiple photos of the fish from various angles. No need to take along a professional photographer; a disposable camera tucked in the depths of your fishing bag will suffice. Also, get accurate length and girth measurements. Then gently release your trophy while you imagine it hanging above your mantle.

These replicas are museum-quality, hand-crafted, fiberglass mounts made from real fish. They're custom painted to match the subtle colors of your trophy. Practically, it isn't that different than the old way, which was a fish skin treated with chemicals and painted to simulate the real color of the fish (which fades when killed and frozen) and stretched over a mold.

It depends on the quality of the work and the taxidermist, but in some cases, skin mounts don't have staying power of the replicas. After three years, they often need repair to fix peeling and sunken areas, even insect infestations. Replicas last forever.

In reality, though, it isn't quite the same. Taxidermists have a wide selection of sizes, but probably not the exact size to match your fish. Your fish might be 43.75 inches, but you have to choose between a 42- or 45-inch mount. The only way to have the exact size is the kill the fish and make a new mold from it. Also, your replica won't have that little imperfection i.e. a scar from a past battle or deformed jaw that made your real trophy special.

Don't fret about these tiny imperfections. A good replica can fool even the trained eye. To me, they seem just as real as the dead-fish options. Rest assured that the special artistry of many taxidermists can make your trophy all you wanted and more. You can pick from an array of habitat backgrounds, making a one-of-a-kind original it was when you pulled it out of the water, unique to your fish and the water that produced it.

One more little bonus is shipping. The replicas weigh only about 10 percent of the traditional skin mounts, and you don't have to worry about regulations about shipping real animal parts.

But to me, it seems like the biggest disadvantage of replicas is always having to preface your bragging sessions with, "My fish was very close to this replica...." The thought of that lunker still swimming around out there making thousands of babies every spring helps me get past this problem. Instead, I'll view my replica as a tribute to the great fish I caught--but didn't have to kill.

If you're looking for a replica, check with your local taxidermist. Most of them now offer replica mounts. If you can't find it locally, do a simple keyword search and you'll instantly find dozens of suppliers.