I have been working very hard on learning taxidermy ,i got to say that these forums have really been helpful allthough some people seem to get very upset with answering some questions.i am not asking for anything for free i know everyone on here has paid their dues and i am willing to also...i just cant seem to find many seminars and things around me here in ohio to help..i spend 9 to 12 hours a day reading ..and trying to learn largemouth bass and fish i was told that fish are one of the hardest things to do..i just cant get it straight..ive been working on bass for 3 months now and still having problems is this to long ..?should i move on or stick with bass until it is mastered..any helpful advice would be really appr.
thanks alots everyone..and special thanks to all the pros helping us beginners
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That's the very first step in any learning process. The IGT and the NTA both have conventions that feature seminars covering all facets of the industry. At Sioux Falls this year alone we have 60 and there's bound to be one that would fit your ideas. Failing all that, I know that Matt Thompson has a tape that's extremely instructive. Personally, I don't find fish any more difficult than some other things, but then again, I'm not anal in my approach to the detail some of the fish guys are either.
When it comes to mounting, I think most taxidermists would say that fish are athe easiest things to "mount". The anatomy is there for anyone to see, photograph and cast from the fresh specimen. No hair or feathers cover any of the details. When you get to the finish work, the rebuilding of heads and other areas that may shrink can be a problem and quite time consuming. Then we come to painting.....SOME never get the hang of it. So my call on fish, as compared to the other forms of taxidermy, is they are easiest to mount, but hardest to finish.
You didn't specify what's giving you the problems, so it's hard to judge just where you might be in the learning curve. How many fish have you done?
As for the conventions and seminars near you....check the CONVENTIONS on the top of this page. A lot of next year's are probably not listed yet, but look back and see what took place this year, Next year they will probably be about the same time and you should at least be able to get contact information there.
the fist fish i mounted was a 15" walleye in which i used the sand fill method. LOL what a joke. but i kept at it and a dozen fish later something clicked and now my fish are better than the competition. Walleyes anyway. Keep at it.
As for learning any Taxidermy. Believe me, it may NOT come EASY, it could take years to get decent at this ! If you have a lot of NATURAL ability in shapeing things & good touch & feel with the hans it will go much quicker.
Keep reading , but more important is the PRACTICE & seminars, books & videos are all good BUT. some hands ON - personal - PRIVATE instruction will save YOU TEARS of trial & error !
Sometimes in life ( we have to travel & or do the EXtreme to learn things quicker & better. I will give you some instruction ( very cheap ) if you care to contact me - or send me your phone no, via e-mail & I will CALLL YOU to discuss it !
Fish is my SPECIALTY, & yes, they are INVOLVED, esp. the airbrushing part. I have won National competition with my fish skin mts. I have taught many people & have many REFERENCES
As for learning any Taxidermy. Believe me, it may NOT come EASY, it could take years to get decent at this ! If you have a lot of NATURAL ability in shapeing things & good touch & feel with the hans it will go much quicker.
Keep reading , but more important is the PRACTICE & seminars, books & videos are all good BUT. some hands ON - personal - PRIVATE instruction will save YOU TEARS of trial & error !
Sometimes in life ( we have to travel & or do the EXtreme to learn things quicker & better. I will give you some instruction ( very cheap ) if you care to contact me - or send me your phone no, via e-mail & I will CALLL YOU to discuss it !
Fish is my SPECIALTY, & yes, they are INVOLVED, esp. the airbrushing part. I have won National competition with my fish skin mts. I have taught many people & have many REFERENCES to prove it .
Take it from there & decide your plan ! It all has to do with time & $$$$ & how BAD you want to learn & how quick !
THANKS ALOT GUYS FOR YOUR HELP ...THE PROBLEM I SEEM TO HAVE IS PAINTING..AND THE PRESERVING PART I WAS TOLD THAT USING A FISH DEGREASER AND PRESERVER WAS ALL I NEEDED TO USE BEFORE MOUNTING BUT THEN ON THESE FORUMS I SEE PEOPLE ARE USING BORAX ALSO...HAVING USING THE DEGREASER AND PRESERVER I THEN NEED TO SOAK IN BORAX?...IF THIS IS TRUE SOAK IN BORAX AND WHAT JUST WATER AND AT WHAT MIXTURE 1 CUP PER GALLON OR WHAT...THANKS AGAIN EVERYONE HOPEFULLY WITH YOUR HELP I WILL SOON CATCH ON....LOL
i use a mixture of one cup borax and one cup vinegar to one gallon of water.