Fly fishing, to a great extent, is about memorable experiences; about tapping into a fleeting realm of rare beauty and excitement that, perhaps, is precisely so wondrous and fascinating to us because it is temporal in character – out of the ordinary, magical in its escapist character.
BY RASMUS OVESEN
It’s no wonder that, throughout the ages, many fly fishermen have wanted to collect memorabilia and especially trophies from their trips. They’ve wanted to, somehow, materialize and preserve precious memories, not just for bragging rights, but because the memory of a certain fish can be representative of who we are and what we’re essentially all about. It’s natural to cling on to those magical – and sometimes life-altering – moments, where you felt effortlessly connected to everything around you, isn’t it?
Very few things sum up a memorable experience as well as a trophy mount. Unfortunately, bringing back trophies from fishing trips has always been bittersweet. It has meant killing a fish. And not just any fish. Trophies, as the name suggests, are extraordinary fish in terms of size and age, and taking trophies out of any given fish population robs that fish population not only of an important spawner but also a carrier of “survivor”- and “big-fish”-DNA.
Nowadays, with catch and release fishing being prevalent, the days of mounting dead fish on the wall are a thing of the past. With today’s modern camera and video equipment, fish documentation isn’t a complicated deal, and when done correctly it’s both fast and gentle on the fish. But what about those who would still like a trophy on the wall; for the memory and for the decorative qualities?
Advanced Taxidermy have specialized in creating the most beautiful fish replicas. All they need are measurements (length and girth) as well as a high-resolution image that shows the fish in its entirety. Then they are capable of making the most lifelike and realistic replicas – replicas that look more alive than ordinary skin-mounts, that last longer and are more vivid and dramatic in appearance.
We’ve sat down and had a word with the people behind Advanced Taxidermy about their vision, their craftsmanship and the demand for trophies in today’s fly fishing market.
How did Advanced Taxidermy come about – and how was the initial idea / business concept sparked?
Advanced Taxidermy’s origins are simple; two young teenagers with a passion for fishing, outdoors and art end up as school mates. A natural development, thus, was taxidermy. Working and learning together, they are self-taught in the art of taxidermy.
With a knowledge of casting from various art industries such as jewelry; the casting of fish parts was incorporated into conventional fish taxidermy. Casts such as replica heads and fins, were incorporated with bodies using the original skins. They then started molding whole fish, and the catch and release replica fish industry was born. Shawn and James are proud to be two of the pioneers of this industry in the world. Now, approximately 35 years later; Advanced Taxidermy have clients from all over the world.
How has the fly fishing market responded to the possibility of getting trophy replicas done without having to kill fish?
Fly fisherman have always been stewards to conservation and practicing catch and release. They have been, and are, some of our best clients.
Has there been a general shift towards fly fishermen being more conscious of the well-being of the fish populations out there?
Again, as we stated before, in our experience, fly fishermen have always been thoughtful of conservation and practicing catch and release; so, it has been not so much of a shift, but something that was already being thought of.
Who is your typical fly fishing customer?
Our fly fishing customer is the discriminating sportsman looking for top quality and service.
Can you tell us a little bit about how you make your fish replicas?
Making a mold and a fish replica is a marriage between science and art. A fresh fish is selected and prepped for casting the initial mold, which can then be used for future replicas. The stomach is removed and replaced with clay substitutes, all the paired fins are removed to be cast separately, and the mouth interior is molded. The prepped fish is half embedded in a bedding material in a chosen pose. Depending on the situation, a molding material is determined (consisting but not limited to various resins and silicones) and poured over the side of the fish that is exposed. Once cured a structural support “jacket” is cast over top. When ready, the mold is turned over and once the bedding material is removed, the back half of the fish is cast in the same matter. A complete fish is generally a 5-piece mold.
When a mold is ready for a cast, release agents are applied to the mold and resins are applied to the mold surface and then clamped together. Once cured the part is removed from the mold, seams are tooled and finished, glass eyes installed, the mouth interior installed, fins attached. The “part” is then prepped, primed and the painting is started. Upon completion the finished fish is glossed and put in the display or habitat of our clients choosing.
How long does it take to complete a fish replica – and how many people are involved?
In regard to the time, each project involves steps that are unique to that species of fish which will vary in completion time. The same applies to the number of people involved. Each species has its own unique features, which determine the number of steps and people involved in its production.
What kind of feedback are you getting from your customers?
Advanced Taxidermy is blessed to have great clients, and many return clients. Quite often once a new client receives their first order, they want more pieces for their showrooms.
What kind of advice can you give to catch and release fly fishermen out there, who would like to have one of their future catches made into a replica?
The most important thing is the measurements of the fish; the length being the most important. If possible, getting the girth measurement is also useful. The next most important thing is the photos; you will need a couple great photos that illustrate the shape and colour of your catch. What isn’t as important is the weight of the fish, as it is not something that we require to make your replica.
For more information, please refer to: https://www.advancedtaxidermy.com
