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TROPHY FISH REPRODUCTION IN WOOD
The trend toward “catch and release”
angling is growing every year as more and more anglers come to recognize
that “a noble fish should be caught more than once”. Still, many anglers
wish to have a tangible memento of their trophy, while still having the
satisfaction of having released the fish alive. A reproduction of a trophy
fish as an original wood sculpture is one way of achieving this objective.
Not only can the angler have a convincing replica of their trophy fish,
but they can also have a unique, one-of-a-kind piece of original art work
that is almost certain to appreciate in value.
WHY
GO WITH WOOD?
Traditionally,
there have been two ways of commemorating a trophy fish: the taxidermy
mount, and the fiberglass reproduction.
TAXIDERMY MOUNTS
require that the
fish be killed and skinned. The skin is then chemically treated to
preserve it, and is then mounted on a foam body, allowed to dry and then
painted. Although comparatively economical, taxidermy mounts begin to
deteriorate relatively quickly. They may attract insect pests and/or give
off harmful or obnoxious chemical vapors. The greatest disadvantage is
that the trophy fish is destroyed in the process, and permanently removed
from the wild gene pool.
FIBERGLASS REPRODUCTIONS
have been gaining
in popularity in recent years, and again are comparatively economical.
They are also much more durable and less prone to deterioration than skin
mounts. They offer a lifelike reproduction of an actual
fish, but at the end of the day, they are a reproduction of someone else’s
trophy, not yours. Reproductions are made from chemical resin (usually
polyester or epoxy) poured into a mould. The molding process limits the
types of body poses that can be achieved, and often results in surface
imperfections. Seldom, if ever, can you obtain a casting that precisely
duplicates your trophy catch in every detail.
CUSTOM TROPHY REPRODUCTION WOOD CARVINGS
allow for
precise replication of your trophy in every detail: measurements,
color and unique individual features. They are unique, handcrafted,
original works of art, produced to your specifications and the rigorous
competition standards of the International Wildfowl and Fish Carving
Association. Each of our pieces is not only a commemoration of your trophy
catch, but is a durable investment that affords you the constant
satisfaction of knowing that you have allowed your prize to “live to fight
another day”, while providing you with a piece of art work will appreciate
in value.
BASIC STEPS IN A TROPHY REPRODUCTION CARVING
1) The
angler catches a trophy fish, photographs and measurements are recorded,
and the fish is released alive.
2)
These photographs,
measurements and mounting specifications are given to the carver.
3) Photographs
are enlarged to scale, to permit the production of a pattern for the
trophy fish.
4)
The pattern is used
to prepare a wooden “blank” for the carving. We use only kiln-dried,
select northern Basswood (American Linden—Tilia americana)
5) Using
a combination of hand and power tools the fish carving is completed. All
of our work is done to International competition standards as shown on the
IWFCA website,
www.iwfca.com
6) Using
oils, acrylics, or a combination of these media, the piece is painted and
mounted on a representative habitat base, and delivered to the client.
Custom mountings, bases and display cabinets are available.
BE
PREPARED
Put
the following items in your tackle box:
a) Flexible cloth or
plastic tape measure
b) Plastic caliper (for
thickness measurements)
c) Disposable camera
Our
Catch & Release Field Kit contains a 60” tape measure and a caliper,
and a color measurement and reference log, housed in a water-resistant
plastic pouch. A fancy
camera is not necessary. The disposable cameras will give perfectly
adequate results and can be purchased inexpensively.
Read Safely Photographing and Releasing Fish
before heading out on the water.
PHOTOGRAPHS
At a
bare minimum, we
need a clear full-length, side-on photograph of at least one side
of the fish that shows the body shape, the shape of the head, and the
color pattern. This photograph is best taken with the fish being held up
behind the gill plate and at the base of the tail, with the paired fins
free. Make sure that your hands are wet, AND DO NOT TOUCH THE GILLS!!
Ideally, the angler will get a chance to photograph both sides of the
fish, and a close-up of the head. We will
need both your prints and your negatives for the next step, which is the
preparation of the pattern for your carving. (These will be returned to
you).
We will
take the side-on reference photograph and have it enlarged to scale in
accordance with the measurements that you provide. Generally, I will make
this enlargement to 50% of the actual length of the fish. This will enable
us to draw an accurate pattern for the body, head, fins and tail, and to
determine the correct size of the eye. We will also use this enlargement
to duplicate the marking pattern and to develop the paint schedule.
MEASUREMENTS
At a
bare minimum, I will need the following measurements of your fish:
a)
OVERALL LENGTH:
from tip of snout to farthest extremity of tail.
b)
The FOUR KEY
THICKNESS MEASUREMENTS: the maximum width of the body at the
following points:
1) behind the gill plate
2) the thickest portion of the
body (usually in the centre of the dorsal fin)
3) at the leading edge of the
anal fin where it meets the body
4) At the centre of the caudal
peduncle.
The
Catch and Release Measurement and Color Log Sheet will allow
you to record these measurements in the field. Measurements should be taken quickly, with the fish in the water at
boat or bank side, while the fish is still recuperating from capture. When
measuring the fish with a caliper, open the jaws just wide enough to touch
the skin on either side. “Don’t squish the fish!” If
possible, measure the length of one of each of the pectoral and pelvic
fins.
Note:
If you do not have a measuring tape, you can photograph the top and side
views of the fish including an object of a known, standard size, such as a
banknote, a business card, your fishing license, or the narrow end of your
tackle box. Once you are back home, you can simply measure the object and
let me know its dimensions. I can take it from there.
I use
only first-quality kiln- dried Northern Basswood in my carvings. All fins
are carved separately and inserted for strength. Most caudal (tail) fins
are made in two pieces for the same reason. I
strive for anatomically correct details and have a large variety of
photographic, textual and physical (study casts) reference material to
support my work. I use
only Tohickon™ glass eyes in all of my fish. They are, simply, the world’s
finest glass eyes. Visit their web site at
www.tohickonglasseyes.com.
Painting is generally done with an airbrush, supplemented by hand
detailing. I use the Polytranspar® Paint System, developed by Wildlife
Artists’ Supply Co. (WASCO) in the USA, as my primary medium for
finishing. Information about the Polytranspar® system can be obtained from
WASCO at
www.taxidermy.com. You
will have your choice of a variety of standard and custom mountings, both
wall and table. If you have a particular requirement, please let me know.
ESTIMATE AND CONTRACT
I will
provide you with a written estimate of the cost of the final piece. If it
is acceptable, I will have you sign a contract and pay a 1/3
non-refundable deposit on the finished piece before I begin
work. I will
afford you opportunity to inspect the piece while it is in progress: I
will send you photographs before painting and prior to shipping. You can
refuse the work, but I keep the piece and the deposit. All of
my work is done in accordance with the International Wildlife Carving
Association (IWCA) Rules and is eligible to enter into national or
international competitions. I may ask your permission to do so within a
year of completing your piece.
All of
the artistic execution and finishing of the piece will be done solely by
me.
PRICING
A
minimum charge for undertaking a standard commissioned piece is $140 US, ($200
Can)
Charges
for reproduction carvings are based upon
per finished inch
depending on species, mounting and the complexity of painting that is
required. In general, you can expect to pay a price of $30 US ($Can 45)
per finished inch and up. Any subcontract charges (custom blank
preparation, mounting, etc) are additional.
You, as the client, will
also be responsible to pay for the shipping of the finished piece. |
