If I ever catch a gal durn fish I am thinkin I would like to get my first catch mounted.

How much does it run out here in Wa. Any good "stuffers" in the Olymoia area?

Whats all this stuff about fiberglass and skin vs. all real or all fiberglass.

Thanks In Advance Guru's

Paul

As I understand it, a fiberglass replica mount is the way to go. You don't have to kill the fish,and it will look better in the long run. I read the other day that a skin mount will turn yellow as it ages because of the oils in the skin.

Check out www.blackwatertrading.com
This is the guy who made a great replica of a 21 lb silver for me.

Just to echo Duroboat - Luke, at blackwater trading co., does a fabulous job. What you will need is a good photo or two to show the color of your fish and the measurements (length and girth). He'll want you to come to his shop, where you can see examples of what he can do and discuss what you would like. He has some museum quality work that will really impress you. The finished product will be a treasure. He did a nice steelhead for me. If you get his brochure, it's the one on the cover. It looks better in person.

I had a nice king that I caught in Alaska skin-mounted. That guy did a fabulous job also, but it's going on 10 years now and I don't remember his name. He worked out of Tim Berg's lodges up in Soldotna, but his home was down here in Washington somewhere. Maybe you could find out who he is through Bob, who can ask Mike Price, who books through Tim Berg. I'm sure anyone who has Tim Berg's lodges as his "territory" would be exceptional.

Since I've got a skin mount and a replica, I've got fish to compare the two. The skin mount hasn't deteriorated or discolored at all to date. As stated, I believe it's largely a matter of care taken to get the oils out of the skin.

Both are expensive.

I must concure...Luke Filmer does fantastic work. A buddy and I both had steelhead done last year and they are indeed "museum quality" replicas.

You'll probably be looking at $15.00 an inch for most fish mounts. Thats the replica not the skin. Skin mounts are usually $2000 on up. Jack at Mineral Lake Taxidermy does really good fish mounts as well.

Luke charged me $15 in inch two years ago.I see he is charging $20 an inch now.Which I dont think is to bad considering the quality of his work.

Luke is the man for reproduction work! Tell him we sent you and he'll give us a little credit towards that 30 lb. steelie that Fishgal is gonna catch one of these days He did the 29.5 steelhead at the top of the page into an awesome coffee table!

For skin mounts, you'd better go with one of the best to have it last. They are more expensive ($25+ inch for the best), but will last for many years if done properly. My choice there is Jeff Lumsden of Still Life Studio in Silver Lake (Everett).

Another good choice would be David Campbell of Great Northwest Taxidermy (almost positive on that name) ... he's south sound based, I'm pretty sure Olympia

One thing about mounts, you're gonna get what you pay for ... don't skimp!!

David Campbell is doing a skin mount of a 21 lb. coho I caught in the fall of 2001. At that time the cost was just under $900 and he had a large backlog of fish to do ... the estimated work time on mine was 2 1/2 years.
So, if you're an elderly gentleman ...