I'm a begining taxidermist and would like to know if there is any school out there that offers saltwater fish taxidermy courses. It seems that most taxidermist shy away from saltwater fish mounting and go with reproductions instead. I know about the oil problem but I've seen those bass rising from the water and would like to mount a speckled trout or red drum doing the same. However, it seems that those nice schools that teach that don't offer saltwater fish mounting. I'm thinking, why pay a large amount of money for bass mounting training when most fishermen in my area fish saltwater. Or, could the school benefit me in some other way? Should I become an airbrush expert and not focus on taxidermy when it comes to saltwater fish? Could magazines, videos, or manuals be an equivalent to school? I would appreciate your advice.
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There's a reason why no one teaches conventional taxidermy with saltwater fish. That will remain a fact regardless of what you might wish. By and large, saltwater fish cannot be conventionally mounted, period. Since you're a beginner, I'd suggest you make a minimal investment on videos and books before you took a leap a any "school". Whatever or wherever you learn to use the airbrush properly and to mix and match colors, overlay, and and shimmers and glosses is the same technique regardless of where the fish came from. Reproductions must be painted like fresh water skin mounts do.
Have someone teach you how to make your own replicas. Then you can pose each fish exactly as you wish. The mount will look great and last indefinitely.
I live in south Louisiana and we have several great taxidermists who skin mount specks, reds, and other common saltwater fish that we have here. They use the same procedures that are used in skin mounting other fish (i.e. degrease then preserve with denatured alcohol mix, borax, or other preferred fish tan). I've seen some very old mounts that look fine.
I hope you noticed that "by and large" portion of my response. I, too, have seen skin mounts on several salt water fish, BUT, the best rule of thumb is still "don't". Gary Bruch is one of this industry's best and I'd almost bet if he were forced to do a speck, he's cast the head and all the fins and then spend an inordinant amount of time with that skin degreasing it. Then his mount would look just as good 10 years from now as it does now. Sadly, few taxidermists take that time and in 3 to 5 years, grease spots will appear on the mounts, paint will slough off, and then the cod liver oil smell will insure the mount ends up in the trash. To every rule, there is an exception for for every exception, there's always a reason for concern.
I have noticed that these species take more care and usually take much longer to dry. George, I have seen on several occasions the paint problems caused by grease spots that you mentioned. In most of those cases the taxidermist admittedly tried to rush the drying time and ended up getting burned. I personally, and this should not be construed as bashing the methods of others, allow my fish to dry for several weeks even when using aids such as dehumidifiers, heaters, and the like. With that said I am part-time, closer to hobbiest with the recent birth of my second child, and don't always have the turn around time issues.
Valdo, I think the discussion between George and myself have highlighted the primary issues. If you have easy access to those specimens, give skin mounting a try and see how you like it (preferrably on non-customer mounts). You may also want to take that time to learn casting. Have fun with it. Taxidermists experimenting on their limited free time has probably been the single most important factor in the advancement of this industry.
BTW George, I have failed to become a member of the NTA over my seven years in taxidermy, mostly out of laziness, but need to do so given that my involvment in taxidermy has become more commercial each year. I see that you are running for president. I certainly support your decision and feel that your knowledge, honesty, and integrity will benefit the Association and industry as a whole. I may have to get off my a$$ and become a member so I can have a vote. (LOL) Good luck in your endeavor!
Whether I get elected or not won't change the fact that you're making a good decision. The NTA is all we have and we certainly can use you.