Artificial Fins on a skin mount

[MichaelG]

Greetings all.  Trying to soak in some more knowledge.  I've come across a few photos in here where all the fins on a skin mount were removed and replaced with artificial ones.  I'm curious if anyone can provide some information on why.  Is this done because of damage (surely not all) or are there some advantages?

Thank you.

Mike

 

[Top of Ohio Taxidermy]

Hi Mike,

I am currently working on a restoration on a Northern, and cut all the original fins off and went to artificial.
They were in terrible shape and would have been very long process to make them look decent.

>I also do quite a few Trout and use a fair amount of artificial replacements on them as well.
   >Stream Trout tend to spend most of their time in the rocks and the Pectoral and pelvic fins get pretty beat up and sometimes it's better to start over.
   >Trout club fish spend most of their youth in captivity and the tanks are often made of or lined with concrete and or rock, I have done several of these fish that had nothing left but nubs for pelvic fins from laying on the bottom in the current.


All that being said, I stay with nature whenever I can...... You just can't beat her at her own game......

Have a great day,
Bud
 
By the way check out my post on the restoration of the 60 year old Northern, and let me know if you have anything in mind that may be of help.
Thanks

[MichaelG]

Perfect.  Thank you for answering.

[Paul C]

Michael, most trout and salmon fins are replaced with artifiicals because of shrinkage and grease issues.  Spawning trout and salmon have extremely fleshy fins that shrink horribly when dried and they never stop bleeding grease.  Cast fins are the only way to go.

[MichaelG]

Thank you Paul.

[Perca]

PM sent

[MichaelG]

Thank you Perca 

[Brian Noody]

While it is more expense, I do not use any real fins on my fish any longer.  Study some of the fish you catch and the thickness and shape of the fins when they are alive vs what they look like when dried.  Better yet bring an old bass mount with you in the boat and before you release that next catch look at the difference.  You will even see the difference on a fish out of the freezer when compare to one you mounted.  Shrinkage is the obvious problem, it of can be overcome with a fair amount effort rebuilding them.  Most people do not spend the time needed to do it properly.  Also note how dark the color of the fin rays become even on a thin pectoral fin.  I can paint the real fins a light color, but I eliminate the translucent appearance of the fin.

I'm not saying a commercial fin is the answer either, most are too thick and have poor detail at the trailing edge of the fin.  I mold all of mine using an RTV silicone and cast them using a transparent polymer by innovative polymers.  I also pressure cast all of the fins eliminating the bubbles and allowing incredible transparency and much better options when it comes time to paint them.

Again, much more work as well as cost, but I think it gives you the most accurate representation of the fin of a live fish.  For commercial mounts you have to be willing to charge what you should for this work or you will not make any money.  For a competition fish, I wouldn't consider anything else.

[Triple R]

  I also pressure cast all of the fins eliminating the bubbles and allowing incredible transparency

Brian, How much pressure is needed when casting your fins

[Brian Noody]

50 is usually enough, but I prefer 60 and have not had any issues with bubbles at that point.

[riderlow23]

Just a note about fish in a captive environment. Most of the wear on their fins, even in a concrete or stone tank isnt from the tank. Its actually from rubbing on the other fish. This is called "contact inhabition" You will see it more in tanks, ponds or raceways that are loaded hevier with fish. Thats not to say the tanks dont cause some wear, but not most of it.

[Triple R]

Thanks Brian

[MichaelG]

Thank you all.  I apreciate getting your responses to my question.