I have wondered this but since you never know when that big one is going to be on the end of your rod and reel.

What steps should you take after catching a fish you wish to take to the taxidermist?

They are so delicate to rigamortus and also loosing color so I know there has to be steps to minimize this before turning it in. Damage to fins, skin ect...

Why not take a photo and then they can do a replica from the pic.

You never know it might be the biggest native you ever caught and the only way to mount that is by photo. They look just as good as skin mounts

I agree that a photo and a fiberglass reproduction is the best way to go. If you must do a skin mount simply put the fish in the fridge ASAP and get it to the taxidermist. Don't worry about it losing color - they paint them anyway.

Do not clean it and try to keep scale lose to a minimum. Tnat's all there is to it. But . . a fibreglass mount will last longer, look better and not kill a trophy class fish. We need the bigguns to spawn!

Yeah take a pic and then take the measurements and bring it to a taxidermist. It is expensive though. I think it is $12 or so a inch, that is what a guy offered me. I have seen a taxidermed 31lbs steelhead and it was beautiful. I toook the pic and gave the guy the measurements and he was quiet pleased.
Good luck

Cool. Do you have to measure it and weigh it or is it all about the picture? Seems they would need a little more info to make an exact replica unless the fish it presented to them.

Not that I will ever get a skin mount but I was just wondering because my wife wanted to mount her CHum the other day. I know she's nuts but it was her first salmon. Ugly as hell I must add to have on the wall.

the fiberglass repos are from forms that have been made from other fish. the exact measurements are really not that important. you can always lie like most fishermen and add several inches and pounds to your fish. they paint the fish, so you can have them paint it bright or dark. if you catch a fish that you want to have made into a form, you should lay it in a box surrounded with fine shaved ice. the trick is to keep the fins in good shape and moist. when the fins dry out in a freezer, they curl up and are hard to form

For a skin mount you should keep the fish in as pristine condition as possible. Don't gut it and try to limit scale loss. A gutted fish can be repaired but it will cost you extra. Keep it cold and get it to your taxidermist ASAP. If you can't do that for a couple of days just put it in a large plastic bag, squeeze out as much air as you can, then freeze it. It will be fine like that for a couple of months.

For a reproduction, measure the length and girth (just in front of the dorsal fin), and take some close up photos. The more detail the photos show, the better the repro can be painted to match your individual specimen. If you don't have photos or exact measurements there are ways to get around that.

Repros are a good option, of course, but skin mounts can be done just as nice and can last too. They must be done right, though. Choose your taxidermist carefully. It's wise to do some checking around before you catch that big fish. The price quoted above of $12 per inch won't get you much these days.