Hello All and Happy Fathers Day to all you Dads.
My first fish mount is near dry and I've been thinking ahead to setting the eyes. I bought the 24kt. backed clear pupil eyes through Van Dykes and I've been playing with different things to see what I think looks the best. I picked up some of those decorative marbles they sell at craft stores and I'm gonna use clear marbles behind the eyes with a piece of Mylar behind the marble. (This gives it depth and that reflective look when shining a light to it.) But here is where I lose all sense of intelligence. The eyes I speak of have a tear drop shape to the pupil. Does the tapered side of the pupil point toward the rear of the head? I think it should but I wouldn't want to find out later that I was mistaken. Please advise.
Thank you for any help.
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The tapered part should point to the front.
There really is a reason us older taxidermist cram and cram on the beginners about reference materials. These can be photos cut out of fishing and hunting mags. etc.
Thank you Dan and John C,
I realize the truth in what you say and believe me, I've been looking. I'm an avid fisher person and hunter and have taken lots of snapshots of game taken. I also subscribe to a few hunting magazines and I've been combing through them for pictures. I've been searching the web for good close ups of Walleye and even looked for reference pictures at different web sites mentioned in the archives. I've yet to find any, of a close up, on a walleye eye. You can bet the first thing I thought of when I started to pursue an interest into the world of taxidermy is reference photos. I do promise all future photos of game taken will be more close ups of the game animal for reference than it will be of friends and family standing next to, holding up or any of the other, three feet away shots! I do appreciate all the helpful advice and quick answers I can get on this site. You're advice as well as others who state (reference photo's) ring true.
Thanks.
Judi
The In-fisherman almost always has walleye articles in it.
As for your own photos, look at a macro lens for a 35 mm camera, this will allow you to take photos of just parts of the specimen. You could get a copy of the book Museum Quality Fish taxidermy. there is many good tips on molding with plaster in it.
I have for many years molded just one side of fish with plaster for reference, use only fresh specimens. You can also remove all the slime with aluminum sulphate, 1 ounce to one gallon of water.
Thank you again for the helpful information John.
Like I mentioned before, I'm just starting out and I've been spending money on basic supplies. Once I pay off next months visa bill,(air compressor and air brush, yikes!) I will start investing some money into Breakthrough manuals and reference materials.
I started out buying a fish mounting video and off I went. Fish is dry enough to start working on fin backing and tail build up but when I think ahead of myself I thought, hmm, which way do these eyes go.
I do have a nice 35mm camera but I've always taken the usual type pictures, like husband holding up catch of the day or he of me with my deer. Not anymore! They will all be close ups!
Thanks again.
I hope I hung onto those In-fisherman magazines! :) ¿ >*}}}}><
For over 20 years I have been collecting pics, from magazines etc. Check your local book store or maybe the library. Some of the of the stores tear the covers from the mags and then through them away.
Old mags have good reference pics too. Those for 10 cents at yard/garage sales. Even find one of those cheap sales papers. (Thrufty Nickel in my area.) Run a two dollars ad that you are buying old hunting and fishing mags. I still look through the newstand and buy a mag for that one pic at times. With the loads of materials on the internet now, a good printer and good paper can help you get started.