When you go catfish fishing and you reel in that big one it is only natural that you would like to have some way to remember and show off your catch. One thing that you can do would be to take a few pictures of your catch to go along with your fishing story. The photos will help to give a visual effect that will enhance the story as you tell others how you reeled him in. However, there is a more dramatic way to show off your catch and it is called taxidermy.

So what is taxidermy? It is a method that creates a three-dimensional representation of the catfish that is so life-like you would think it was still alive. Taxidermy integrates many skills into one to acquire the end result that will preserve your catch for many years to come. Some of the skills that the taxidermist will need include molding, carpentry, casting, woodworking and tanning.

The taxidermist also needs to be artistic and have the ability to paint, draw and sculpt. This is especially true for anyone that works on fish because they require the most skills of all. Most all fish taxidermy mounts are re-created by using man-made materials. Some of them can be made by simply using a picture of the cat along with measurements. The taxidermist will use these to construct the mount.

Fish Mounts

Fish taxidermy is considered one of the most difficult to do out of all of them. Fish mounts require being able to recreate the complete anatomy of the catfish.

It also requires that all the color of the fish be restored by hand. The taxidermist has to paint every inch of the specimen accurately in order to achieve that life-like appearance. This requires a lot of skill and training to achieve the professional results clients expect and deserve.

There are different ways to have a catfish mounted. For example, he can be mounted on a plaque for the wall to go over a fireplace or as a centerpiece for your den. You can also choose a table stand that will display your catfish in your trophy room or office. The choice is yours and will be determined by which display you like the best.

The quality of taxidermy has greatly improved throughout the years and they appear even more life-like than ever before. You are sure to be happy with the end results. The better you take care of the catfish when it is caught the better quality your trophy will be so be careful with him.

Steps in Fish Taxidermy

The steps in fish taxidermy will depend on the type of fish being recreated but there are a few basic steps that the taxidermist will follow when preserving the catfish. They are basically recreated by using man-made materials. This makes them last longer than other types but it also can make it a little more difficult.

Here are some of the steps that are required for catfish taxidermy:

A mold of the fish needs to be constructed while the fish is still fresh to get the most accurate replicate.

BlueWaterArticles.com: - A Guide To Catfish Taxidermy Get A Trophy To Last A Lifetime

About the Author

Dan Eggertsen is a fishing researcher and enthusiast who is committed to providing the best catfish fishing information possible. Get more information on catfish taxidermy here: http://www.askcatfishfishing.com/