mounting a fish

[korupt21]

I am looking to mount a Walleye that I caught this weekend.

I would like some referrals if possible around the twin cities area along with price. ( I assume most go by $ per inch? )

It is a 30" walleye.

Thank You

[WBLJason]

I use White Bear Taxidermy, he has done a few fish mounts for me and they have turned out nice - if you want to wait a couple weeks I should have a picture of the walleye they are doing for me now. Try not to focus on price when looking at taxidermy, to an extent you want to but in this business [in most cases], you get what you pay for. In the twin cities area where I am everyone seems to price higher than maybe people down near IA, just because the demand is higher up here. For a 25" walleye in my area it could run 240 bucks, but down near the IA/MN border it could run 160. My best advice would be to visit some taxi's near you and look at their work, or if they have a HSOforum do it that way. Shouldn't be too hard for you to figure out who, out of all the ones in front of you, will make the most realistic fish. Best of luck to ya

[korupt21]

please do post the pic.

It would be very helpful in determining who I choose.

It's funny. you ask 20 different people who dose a good job and you'll get 20 different answers.

[WBLJason]

Quote:

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It's funny. you ask 20 different people who dose a good job and you'll get 20 different answers.

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Yep!...Also gotta' keep in mind WHO you ask. The average person, not too familiar with taxidermy, will 9/10 times give an "A+" to a taxidermist who deserves a "C-" on the job. I had a buddy get a deer mounted and it just looked awful (mane down the back from the stitches not being tight, unfinished stippling on the nose, the nose wasn't carved out) and all. He thought the guy did a great job... So, "shop around" but don't let $ be the determining factor for you. Go with someone with references, and go with someone who you have seen their showroom either online or in shop. Also ask about any state taxidermy association awards, etc. for the particular animal you are having mounted.

I'll post a pic on here for you when I get my Walleye back (14 days or so). Might be a little spendy, but he does a mighty fine job.

In any case, GOOD LUCK with whoever you choose-- take your time and look at plenty of fish before you decide... After all, you're the one who has to look at it the rest of your life!

Cheers.

[WBLJason]

Also--

Keep the walleye wrapped tight with wet rags or towels in a plastic bag for now (garabage bags work great), NO NEWSPAPER (it will bleed through onto the skin and will stain), and make sure it is in the freezer. When it is in the freezer, keep the show side UP and do not stack anything on top of it, otherwise the fish may get blotchy. Keep the fish flat in the freezer.

Hope this helps

[Team Otter]

Nice fish! Hope you have good luck finding a taxidermist.

[Northlander]

Artistic Anglers in Duluth. Go with the best 1st and you wont be sorry.

[harvey lee]

I would agree with Northlander.Your fish will cost a touch more,but will look just like the real thing and last much longer.Nice fish.

[bigswede]

Only problem I had was getting ahold of them. I left numerious messages and no calls were returned. Maybe just an isolated incident.

[Northlander]

Swede e-mail me your number and Ill get you in touch with the correct people.

[WBLJason]

korupt,

What is your email? I'll send you pics of my fish.

Jason

[percherman]

Korupt: Having been through a professional taxidermy school myself and now not being able to professionally practice and have to rely on others to do my mounts I know your frustration. I would check with the NTA to see if any awards for fish have been given to anybody in the area.

Another avenue is with a magazine called Breakthrough, you can E them and find out if anyone has had any articles in their mag. Chances are, if they have, they are one of the best at what they do.

When looking at mounts in studios things to look for are,

Missing scales in splotches, eyes sunken in at the top and not vertical and symmetrical, are fins backed-look natural,

gills flared and spaced evenly with mouth open and bottom of mouth not sunken in. And above all else make sure they have good live reference photos of gill colors and shots of fish from all diff. angles to get color schemes right. If they have no photos I wouldn't even waste time talking price.

There are plenty more but these I feel are the most important to getting a good mount.