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sauger57

Chitown-Angler
Joined: 05:43am - Dec 12,07 Posts: 187 Location: Arlington Hts.
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 Posted: 07:15pm - Apr 13,09 |
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We all can't get out fishing as often as we would like but when I can't the next best thing is to be working on a new mount. Especially if it's a real trophy fish being a skin mount or a replica.
I get so many questions about replicas and what it takes to put one on the wall that I would give eveyone a good idea by taking pictures of this big smallmouth reproduction as I put it together. The fish is Cory's trophy bass from Lake Erie. But he can give the rest of those details.
This is a picture of what a blank looks like before I get started on it.

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Bubbalouie

Salmon Unlimited Member
Joined: 08:19am - Jun 17,07 Posts: 8580 Location: Gurnee
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 Posted: 07:35pm - Apr 13,09 |
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Hey man, Cory can't fool us! That's a white fish!
Just joshing. I know you do excellent quality work and this is a great idea to post this. I've often wondered how you do it.
As for Cory- by golly he always gets the big fish-
thanks,
Bruce
_________________ “The only reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once.” Albert Einstein “Timing is life.” Bubbalouie
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wsj_outdoorsman

Chitown-Angler
Joined: 09:32pm - Feb 12,03 Posts: 7886 Location: Not quite over the hill, but has a breathtaking view from the lofty perch.
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 Posted: 04:01am - Apr 14,09 |
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Tom do have to have a real fish to make your first blank?
_________________ If a man can't laugh at himself, He leaves the job to others.
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sauger57

Chitown-Angler
Joined: 05:43am - Dec 12,07 Posts: 187 Location: Arlington Hts.
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 Posted: 05:40am - Apr 14,09 |
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All that I need is a lenght and girth (if possible) and I can order a blank from one of many molders. Some are better than others so size selection for each species can be sometimes be a challenge.
If a certain size fish is not available from any of the suppliers than the actual fish will need to be used to make a new mold. Then it will be available to make many casts from.
I will be making my own molds as long as I can get my hands on some trophy fish.
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Bubbalouie

Salmon Unlimited Member
Joined: 08:19am - Jun 17,07 Posts: 8580 Location: Gurnee
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 Posted: 11:12am - Apr 14,09 |
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Sounds like you would encourage people to bring in their trophy fish if you were going to make your own molds. Then from that mold you could make blanks for other trophy fish of appoximately the same size??
If so, maybe you could encourage fellas to bring in some "biggies" of certain species- all you have to do is make a post on this site "Wanted- Trophy Fish" for ex. -
thanks,
Bruce
_________________ “The only reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once.” Albert Einstein “Timing is life.” Bubbalouie
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Popeye

Salmon Unlimited Member
Joined: 02:21am - Apr 30,07 Posts: 7119 Location: Zion, IL
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 Posted: 12:38pm - Apr 14,09 |
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I've been wanting a trophy fish for as long as I can remember. Still waiting...
_________________ Everybody has a purpose in life... It's just that my being banned may be to simply serve as a warning to others. My opinions and comments are free and worth what you paid. Retired USN, Life Member Disabled American Veterans Association.
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Bubbalouie

Salmon Unlimited Member
Joined: 08:19am - Jun 17,07 Posts: 8580 Location: Gurnee
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 Posted: 01:59pm - Apr 14,09 |
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Popeye wrote: I've been wanting a trophy fish for as long as I can remember. Still waiting...
wanna borrow one from me?
_________________ “The only reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once.” Albert Einstein “Timing is life.” Bubbalouie
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sauger57

Chitown-Angler
Joined: 05:43am - Dec 12,07 Posts: 187 Location: Arlington Hts.
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 Posted: 04:14pm - Apr 14,09 |
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Not much change but I cleaned up the seam flashing from the cast because it is made from two halves and I trimmed the fins ready for placement.
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sauger57

Chitown-Angler
Joined: 05:43am - Dec 12,07 Posts: 187 Location: Arlington Hts.
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 Posted: 07:11pm - Apr 14,09 |
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Here it is with the eye installed, fins in place and the gills cut in (can't see them in this view). Next will be the painting!
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sauger57

Chitown-Angler
Joined: 05:43am - Dec 12,07 Posts: 187 Location: Arlington Hts.
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 Posted: 04:33pm - Apr 15,09 |
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This may not look like much but this first step in the painting process is the most critical. This is the base scale pattern that is underlayment for the other colors.
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Cory

Salmon Unlimited Member
Joined: 10:27am - Feb 12,03 Posts: 3365 Location: Villa Park
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 Posted: 04:41pm - Apr 15,09 |
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Too Cool!
_________________ Boat name: Legend II
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Bubbalouie

Salmon Unlimited Member
Joined: 08:19am - Jun 17,07 Posts: 8580 Location: Gurnee
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 Posted: 04:43pm - Apr 15,09 |
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now Tom, do you paint each little feature of small detail- I mean you don't use a stencil, correct? And, how long would that take you-
thanks,
Bruce
_________________ “The only reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once.” Albert Einstein “Timing is life.” Bubbalouie
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sauger57

Chitown-Angler
Joined: 05:43am - Dec 12,07 Posts: 187 Location: Arlington Hts.
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 Posted: 04:55pm - Apr 15,09 |
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Bubbalouie,
I have to admit it is not that complicated . Honestly it takes only minutes even though I tell everyone hours!
I like the idea about asking for trophy specimens. But I have to be carefull because it is against the law to sell "aqautic life" But donations are accepted!
I have a 10lb walleye that I will be molding this weekend (unless I go fishing)so I will have that one in stock then a couple of big browns and a nice king. I will be looking for a LM bass or SM bass over 20" a 16" or better perch, 15" or better crappie, a 11" or better bluegill.
I keep on trying to catch a big one to mold but the closest I have come was a 32" brown that I released only becasue I have two in the freezer now.
I just have to get out more!
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Bubbalouie

Salmon Unlimited Member
Joined: 08:19am - Jun 17,07 Posts: 8580 Location: Gurnee
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 Posted: 06:53pm - Apr 15,09 |
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A couple things-
1) they didn't always use the molds did they? I never knew they did until the 80's when I found out they did Salmon from L. Ontario. Or maybe they did Ocean Species that way too?
2)for those who just might decide that they have a nice one to "donate" - what's the best way of handling the fish before you get it?
B.
_________________ “The only reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once.” Albert Einstein “Timing is life.” Bubbalouie
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sauger57

Chitown-Angler
Joined: 05:43am - Dec 12,07 Posts: 187 Location: Arlington Hts.
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 Posted: 05:47am - Apr 16,09 |
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The best way to keep a fish for molding is to keep it alive and bring it to my house that way. If that is not possible then cover it with ice much like good beer and bring both the fish and the beer to my house. The fish should be molded before it is frozen.
Because the process of molding takes many hours it is not practical for me to be available to mold a fish at any given time.
Next best option is to wrap the fish in a very wet towel, lay it on a board or something flat, then wrap in a plastic bag. Then freeze it.
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sauger57

Chitown-Angler
Joined: 05:43am - Dec 12,07 Posts: 187 Location: Arlington Hts.
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 Posted: 04:28pm - Apr 16,09 |
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Here are two more steps in the process. The first is some of the base colors. The second is some of the detail work which I try to match to the picture.
I'll try to finish this up for everyone tomorrow.
Hawks game tonight!
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sauger57

Chitown-Angler
Joined: 05:43am - Dec 12,07 Posts: 187 Location: Arlington Hts.
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 Posted: 04:42pm - Apr 17,09 |
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I switched gears a bit here to work on the backround. Cory had a great idea for a rock backround for the fish so I got to making rocks. At the top in the picture are the two molds that I made from actual rocks. In the middle are casts from the molds and the bottom is the back side of the cast rocks filled with foam. Next is the painting.
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Michigander

Salmon Unlimited Member
Joined: 07:20am - Jun 19,03 Posts: 3199 Location: Trout Fishing
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 Posted: 05:41pm - Apr 17,09 |
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Tom,
Thanks for sharing the process you use to make a mount. This was very informative to me and I am now inspired to catch a "Trophy Fish' for ya.
I will just have to get to the trolling rods before Harley does this season.
Thank you for the info.
Bob
_________________ The Michigander

US Army Retired Disabled Veteran
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sauger57

Chitown-Angler
Joined: 05:43am - Dec 12,07 Posts: 187 Location: Arlington Hts.
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 Posted: 02:15pm - Apr 18,09 |
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Well I hope eveyone got out fishing today with this great weather. For me I did the next best thing and that is to finish up Cory's bass rocks and all.
Hope everyone likes it!

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bigling97

Chitown-Angler
Joined: 11:20am - Feb 15,05 Posts: 844 Location: Highland,IN
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 Posted: 02:20pm - Apr 18,09 |
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I know who will be getting my next trophy!! Awesome job.
_________________ bigling97
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