Real or artificial gills?

[leiniesdrinker]

How many of you guys use real gills in skin mounts?  I'm tired of the wrinkled up junk when they dry out and have tried a couple of different methods.  I was just wondering what seems to be the best way around this.  Just a thought.  George

[Pescado]

http://www.taxidermy.net/forum/index.php/topic,72518.0.html

[outdoorzman]

Sure do like the picture of those gills Pescado.  I wish George would have asked this question yesterday!  I live in a place far from any craftstores... and 2 hours to the closest walmart so I order all my "craft" supplies off Amazon... if I'd have included these on my order for yesterday, shipping would have been free. 

http://www.amazon.com/Charles-Leonard-Chenille-Stems-65430/dp/B00290LKOE/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1328668682&sr=8-2

[CrabCrazy]

artificial gills in big fish, if they look like real gills....natural gills on smaller fish...except trout and salmon

[3bears]

I use the real gills. I card them so they dry nice organized, not a wrinkled mess. 3bears

[natureslink]

cut out some cardboard in a half circle like the gills.  place in between and let dry.  Shiny cardboard works best, reduces sticking
once dry remove cardboard and paint

[leiniesdrinker]

Thanks for the replies.  I've done the cardboard between the gills and wasn't really satisified with them.  Paul, do you caulk that chennille and then flatten them or just iron them or what?  I have to admit they look better then what I've been coming up with and will give them a try.  Thanks again for the replies.  George

[Pescado]

I saturated them with liquatex (same thing I use on deer noses) squeegeed the excess off by pulling between my thumb and finger and the carded flat between the plastic canvas.

 PB

[Pescado]

Sure do like the picture of those gills Pescado.  I wish George would have asked this question yesterday!  I live in a place far from any craftstores... and 2 hours to the closest walmart so I order all my "craft" supplies off Amazon... if I'd have included these on my order for yesterday, shipping would have been free. 

http://www.amazon.com/Charles-Leonard-Chenille-Stems-65430/dp/B00290LKOE/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1328668682&sr=8-2

 The 4mm is no where near plush enough. I liked the 15mm, but none to be found anymore. Even the 12mm is hard to track down. Been checking with a couple suppliers/manufacturers, but the quantity they list for minimum order would be cost prohibitive.

 PB

[leiniesdrinker]

Thanks Paul.  Much appreciated!!  George

[outdoorzman]

Paul, do you think these would work... painted with gill red once dried?  I'd only be using them on reproductions; I personally prefer the real thing with skin mounts that they are visible on.


http://www.amazon.com/15mm-White-Chenille-Stems-Total/dp/B0054G6KKO/ref=sr_1_cc_2?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1328758522&sr=1-2-catcorr

[Pescado]

Bump chenille is only good for small panfish and it does come in red.

 PB

[rp]

hi guy's

I make my own gills with bodyfiller, very easy to make and can be made for all sizes of fish. Looks very natural.
Will make a tutorial on how I make them if people are interested.

[CrabCrazy]

go for it RP

[rp]

will do so lol