|
|
Member
Posts: 714
| On many occassions I have had customers catch large walleyes and want to have them mounted. I've been very successfull at convencing them to release the real fish and have a replica (graphite) mount made instead. Do many, or any, of you also recommend the same? |
|
| |
|
Location: Rhinelander | Absolutely. We have several excellent taxidermists in Wisconsin who provide great walleye replicas. Ron Lax, Joe Fittante, and Al Smith are three of the best. |
|
| |
|
Member
Posts: 617
Location: Oshkosh, Wisconsin | I'm interested in getting a replica made of a nice fish my Dad caught on LBDN last Thursday... any chance you guys know a phone number of a good replica guy? |
|
| |
|
Member
Posts: 714
| I'll pass on this for now, because I see from your identety you are from Wisconsin, and Steve could probably offer a more convienient taxidermist for your needs, but if he doesn't, I'd suggest you check with Fibertech in Baxter, Mn.. |
|
| |
|
Member
Posts: 73
Location: Green Bay, WI | Contact Matt Yernatich at Artistic Anglers. He is in Duluth and all my replicas go to him. You can see his stuff at the Chicago Sports show in January. More and more of my clients have replicas done instead of skin mounts. I know for myself I'll never do a shin mount again. The replicas are easy to call for and they do such a good job with reproducing your fish. |
|
| |
|
Member
Posts: 39
| I caught a 14# fish this fall and it is still swimming, want to get a replica. I want to know if these replica guys use your real dimensions to produce an original casting or if they buy a premade casting and just paint it. Also, what is the going rate on replicas from reputable places? |
|
| |
|
| I've used both places mentioned in this thread multiple times - Fibertech and Artistic Anglers. Both places do very nice work. In my experience the end product from Artistic Anglers is a bit nicer overall. If timing is important Fibertech is definitely quicker in my experience and most people will be very happy with the end result from them as well.
(Jack we do the replica mounts for a different reason - but I'll be good....mmmmmm)
Steve |
|
| |
|
Member
Posts: 73
Location: Green Bay, WI | They will use a "stock" cast and try to match yours as close as possible. The molds are made from actual fish, so they may not have an exact match size. Matt has quite a few and should get close. Doug |
|
| |
|
Member
Posts: 714
| I haven't talked to the guys at Fibertech for awhile, but I've been told that they have several different body styles for the walleyes now. Each is slightly different because of the differences in the bodies development found in different regions around the country. I understand they paint the colors slightly different according to where the fish come from also, to accomodate for the differences found in the different regions also.
And Steve, I understand the "reasonings" you refer to and I wish I was faced with that problem on a more regular basis myself. Unfortunately, you've got alot more of those (10#) problems in your home waters than I have in mine!!   |
|
| |
|
| I would go with Artistic anglers out of Duluth. They did mine and it turned out great. |
|
| |
Replica Mounts ?