As I’ve mentioned in the past, I’m a big fan of fiberglass fish reproductions. The concept is solid…take a few pix and measurements before you release that trophy fish and you can have an exact replica mount made. It’s the best of both worlds — the fish goes free and you get a memento that won’t rot or get chewed by rats…like skin mounts do.
Take a look at these mounts from Alaska’s Real Life Taxidermy — they may just be the best I’ve ever seen. And here’s the disclaimer: I don’t know these guys, never met ‘em…in fact, just stumbled onto their website last night. Check out these fish…they’re hot!
The detail work on this steelhead is amazing!
I've always thought that bright king mounts never look all that great, but these are about as accurate as it gets!
Again, the detail work is superb...
About as humpy-looking as it gets!
I think it's the scales that really make fish like this Kenai bow look alive.
Apparently, these guys do custom molds and skin mounts too...like this intricate china rockfish
After drooling over all the pix on the site, I did a little more research and found that taxidermist Mark Oslund has won several state and national awards for his work. According to his website, his custom molded fiberglass reproductions have been “deemed to be of high scientific value due to their precise anatomy and accurate color blending and are being used for study by the University of Alaska Anchorage.” Oslund’s fiberglass-cast reproductions are also being used by the North Pacific Fisheries Observer Training Center in their Species Identification Course.
The mounts are spendy: $28-$39 per inch, but there is something to be said for having it done right. For a look at the other end of the spectrum, check out our Taxidermy Gone Bad page.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Oslund is a remarkable artist and has a keen eye for the details in his replicas that exude the life force of the free-swimming critter.
He created an awesome replica of a 70# Kenai hen for me 2 years ago…. painted 360 degrees in the round, cleverly mounted on a habitat base of his own design. Jaws drop every time guests come over to see it for their first time.
dang, those are sweet !