Think taxidermy after landing a prized trophy fish Wood, plastic styles are popular

Regardless of age or experience, each time a sportsman goes fishing there’s a bit of hope and anticipation that this outing will produce a trophy. For a youngster, perhaps it’s their first fish, while for a teen it could be a 12-inch native brookie from a nearby creek.

The fish of a lifetime for an adult might be a 30-pound Atlantic salmon, their first tarpon of more than 100 pounds on a fly, or maybe it’s that 5-pound landlocked salmon that’s eluded them for decades, finally coming up through the ice of an Aroostook lake.

Many ardent anglers actually travel to special locales in search of outstanding specimens of specific species of game fish. Off Hawaii’s Kona coast cruise huge marlin, Florida’s Keys produce envious-size tarpon, bonefish, and snook, while Alaskan rivers abound with a variety of trophy-size salmon, char, and trout. Exotic peacock bass cruise Amazon rivers and immense brown trout reside in crystal clear streams of Argentina and New Zealand.

In most cases when (and if) a fisherman finally achieves his goal of hooking and landing that hard-fighting finned prize of a lifetime, a photo just isn’t going to suffice. Pictures are just hard copies of great memories, and as enjoyable as they might be, nothing helps an aging angler relive stellar past accomplishments of a favorite pastime like a taxidermied replica of a trophy fish.

Plastic or wood

Options for mounting fish have expanded greatly over the last 50 years, which is a good thing since angling regulations and conservation efforts have changed greatly as well. With an eye to the future generations of fishermen, more and more sportsmen are embracing catch-and-release ethics. Outfitters, camp owners, and guides who regularly escort sports to specific lakes and rivers often impose their own guidelines for keeping fish. Strict limits assure great action and trophy-size fish for guests season after season.

Many popular, remote camps are catch and release only, no exceptions, while others allow anglers to keep one fish of each species if it’s going to be mounted. Some states have specific regulations as well; for instance, all tarpon caught in Florida by sport fishermen must be released immediately, unharmed. Traveling anglers need to be aware of such rules and restrictions, especially if they’re in search of a fish of wall-hanging size, and plan accordingly.

Fiberglass replicas of any fish caught and released are readily available and very popular. Body molds to match size, shape, and species are unlimited and a wide selection of positions are available. The taxidermist will match body colors and markings to the fish that was released. Backgrounds can be as simple as a well-finished wooden plaque, or a distinctive painted diorama can be displayed behind the fish with a large plastic bubble covering the realistic scene. Fish can even be positioned among rocks and acrylic water splashes in lighted display cases, coffee tables, or end tables.

Life-size carved and painted wooden replicas are the second option for replicating released fish. A true artisan can saw, whittle, and sand a piece of wood and then apply paint in such a manner that the end result can’t be discerned from the finest taxidermy. Carved game fish exude an air of realism that’s breathtaking, and properly cared for will last for generations.

Just the facts

When you’re not able to bring the actual fish to the taxidermist or carver, specific facts and information are needed to produce an exact replica. Gene Bahr, a highly regarded taxidermist and fish carver from the Sebago area, offers several guidelines to prospective clients. Always take lots of photos. Vary the angles, but get close and fill the frame with the fish. Use the ambient light to your advantage and rely on fill-in flash when it’s overcast or near dusk.

Anglers who don’t normally carry a full-size camera on outings should make an effort to at least have a waterproof, throwaway camera in their vest or tackle box. A video camera will do in a pinch.

Accurate length and girth measurements are essential, nose to the longest tip of the tail and a circumference in front of the dorsal fin are the best guidelines. Two extra girth measurements around the pectoral and caudal fin regions will assure a more accurate copy of the released trophy.

When no measuring device is available, grab a roll of monofilament and use it to determine length and multiple girth sizes, carefully cutting and labeling each piece of line to turn over to the taxidermist or carver. When all else fails, hold the fish next to the fishing rod and use the handle, guides or windings to pinpoint a length that can later be measured.

Keep in mind the fish’s health and safe release are the main concern, so speed and minimal handling during the photo and measuring session are crucial. If one person can control the fish with great care to keep it partially submerged most of the time, and a guide or fishing buddy, perhaps both, can take pictures and measurements, the trophy will be set free sooner and safer.

An exact weight is another important figure to assure an accurate replica, as well as for the angler’s satisfaction and future retelling of the epic battle. Thanks to nets with scales integrated into the handle and Boga Grips, an accurate hand scale that firmly grips only the fish’s jaw without causing injury, quick, accurate weighing can be obtained before release. Both items are lightweight, beneficial angling assets.

Bringing one home

When a fisherman finally hooks and lands a special fish that can be kept and will be mounted, there are many important dos and don’ts to assure the taxidermist receives a perfect specimen. Dispatch the fish without damaging the physical appearance. Avoid puncture wounds, broken, deformed necks, and damaged eyes or head indentations from bludgeoning.

Do not cut the fish open or clean it. Ice fishermen should never lay a trophy directly on the ice, or pack it with snow, if no storage container is available. Direct contact of the fish skin to ice will lead to blotching and discoloration as well as loss of scales and skin that remain frozen to the surface when the fish is removed.

Use a rubber net to land fish and prevent body damage from thrashing on shoreline rocks or against the boat when open water fishing. This is even more important if a fish is to be released. Nylon or plastic mesh nets scrape away scales and split or break fins. Refrain from handling the finned prize too much, despite enthusiasm and excitement. Wipe off any blood and take photographs at once to ensure accurate depiction of prime coloration, just as if the fish wasn’t being kept. More than one trophy has been eaten by animals, lost in transit, or ruined by other strange misfortunes, with no pictorial verification.

Some taxidermists even suggest laying the fish on a paper grocery bag or other heavy-duty paper and tracing a silhouette of the entire fish for reference. Take measurements as well and note them on the tracing. Top-notch taxidermists always keep measurements of past fish they have mounted and can refer to those if any problems or question arises with your special catch.

Before a fish is packed for transport, plug the vent with cotton balls, swabs, or a small piece of cloth. If this isn’t done acid can leak from the digestive tract and ruin coloration and markings. Putting several fish on ice in a cooler isn’t a good idea either. Ice melts, the fish slosh and bang around during the trip home, and acid from multiple fish leaks into the water and eats away scales and bleaches color from all fish involved.

Carefully protect the fins and tail, wrap the trophy in a wet towel (never newspaper as the ink leaches out), and place the bundle flat in the bottom of a plastic trash bag. Roll the bag around the fish and towel without bending and lay it on a piece of cardboard or thin wood. Secure the bag in place with plenty of masking tape and place the bundle into a freezer. Get the prize to a taxidermist as soon as possible.

Do your homework

Wise sportsmen research their taxidermist well before a trophy is ever caught. Read articles, listen to friends, call references, go to outdoor shows where mounts are displayed and competitions held, and visit studios to view specific work. As in many cases, you get what you pay for with taxidermy, so money should never be the prime issue. Certain posings and treatments will appeal to your personal preference and help narrow the field.

It’s a lifetime decision, so wait until a certain flair touches your heart and soul; you’ll recognize the feeling and your decision will be simplified. Don’t hurry choices and don’t settle. For most sportsmen, their mount will be a special piece of their outdoor life that will provide pleasure each time it is viewed, day after day, year after year.

Outdoor feature writer Bill Graves can be reached via e-mail at bgravesoutdoors@ainop.com