Author Topic: Should I??? (Read 1814 times)

MTPooh · « **on:** Dec 09, 2013, 07:04 PM »

So I have a little dilemma. Today I caught a 12.5lb rainbow that is 30 inches long. It is a female but looks like it was probably a stocked trout as it's tail fin is pretty messed up. My buddy caught a male last week that is slightly smaller and is a really pretty fish. He took it to the taxidermist and should have it back next summer. This is the first "big fish" I've caught. I fought her for 45 min before even getting her close to the hole. The "tale" is as good as the fish and there is some sentimental value there. What do you all think? What would you do? Can the taxidermist fix the fins? I plan to use the same taxidermist as my buddy if I do it. Ill also call him in the morning and see what he thinks. Thanks for the feedback.

Tight lines!!!

SDFlagChaser · « **Reply #1 on:** Dec 09, 2013, 07:12 PM »

I say mount it like you caught it. But if you know that every time you look at it, you think it is a stocker, then by all means, get the fin fixed it. your fish, your call

SDFlagChaser · « **Reply #2 on:** Dec 09, 2013, 07:13 PM »

oh yeah, and post up a picture

MT-Ed · « **Reply #3 on:** Dec 09, 2013, 07:14 PM »

They typically can, but if I were you, I'd look into what is called a reproduction. It's a resin casting (the same size as your original) and the taxi can paint it just like your original. Even if the paint job is a tad off, after a couple years, you won't know the difference, but you'll have a "mount" that will last for eternity. Did ya take any photos of your catch? That would help the taxi as well.......my $.02

MTPooh · « **Reply #4 on:** Dec 09, 2013, 07:34 PM »

Tmuskie · « **Reply #5 on:** Dec 09, 2013, 07:41 PM »

Mount it!!!! Great fish congrats.

rdhammah · « **Reply #6 on:** Dec 09, 2013, 07:44 PM »

hell, yeah. fix the tail and any fins that need fixin. they can darken the pink colors, if you want.

rswope2004 · « **Reply #7 on:** Dec 09, 2013, 08:28 PM »

mount it and don't "fix" anything. I would think it would give it character. if I got a trophy like that I would want it just as I caught it.

Fightinwildfire · « **Reply #8 on:** Dec 09, 2013, 08:46 PM »

MOUNT THAT FISH! It will good on the wall with mine! Hell of a catch buddy!

just_a_beer_man · « **Reply #9 on:** Dec 09, 2013, 09:58 PM »

Beautiful fish, I'd mount it.

bushyjr · « **Reply #10 on:** Dec 09, 2013, 10:12 PM »

Mount it as it is. Congrats

SeisMec · « **Reply #11 on:** Dec 10, 2013, 02:10 AM »

Nice fish, my .02 cents mount it as is.

Whopper Stopper · « **Reply #12 on:** Dec 10, 2013, 04:19 AM »

Mount it up as is. Looks great!

WS

masoneddie · « **Reply #13 on:** Dec 10, 2013, 04:33 AM »

Wouldn't change a thing.....congrats on an awesome fish! Put it on the wall as is!

tef bandit · « **Reply #14 on:** Dec 10, 2013, 04:54 AM »

if i could afford it i would mount it the way i caught it nice fish something you will cherish forever

da man cave shack · « **Reply #15 on:** Dec 10, 2013, 07:42 AM »

Put her on the wall.

krcat40 · « **Reply #16 on:** Dec 10, 2013, 07:47 AM »

Mount it the way it is. It gives it character

GCD · « **Reply #17 on:** Dec 10, 2013, 08:30 AM »

Eat the fish, mount the picture on the wall.

lefty2053 · « **Reply #18 on:** Dec 10, 2013, 08:51 AM »

I personally take a couple of pictures and release them. That way I won't have to dust it off the rest of my life. I can just look at my pictures.

anthony19941994 · « **Reply #19 on:** Dec 10, 2013, 09:06 AM »

I would mount it and leave it as is. Stocked or not, this is a great fish and I would want to remember it as I caught it. But if the fact that it may be a stocked fish bothers you, the taxidermists will do a fantastic job in repairing the fins.

Sportsman44 · « **Reply #20 on:** Dec 10, 2013, 09:15 AM »

A Mounted fish with original imperfections, reflects the original memory of the catch. It is the real thing.

A hunter does add extra points to the rack from a whitetail deer ... to impress the fans !

TylerRyan · « **Reply #21 on:** Dec 10, 2013, 10:22 AM »

mount it! Nice fish!!

MTPooh · « **Reply #22 on:** Dec 10, 2013, 12:36 PM »

I talked to the taxidermist this morning and he helped to ease some of my concerns. Right now I am unsure if it's a stocked fish. The caudal fin is pretty beat up and I can't tell if it has a hole punched. I am going to have it mounted. I'm still up in the air on what to have "fixed". I appreciate the feedback and am still considering all options. I like the idea of keeping as is to keep the character it has. At the same time, I want to honor the fish and dressing it up does that.

I have the fish in the freezer and didn't take any picts of the tail. I'll see if I can get some posted later.

Sportsman44 · « **Reply #23 on:** Dec 10, 2013, 12:59 PM »

yah , lets see the picture.....what the fin looks like

Gillpill · « **Reply #24 on:** Dec 10, 2013, 01:35 PM »

mount that beauty man

MTPooh · « **Reply #25 on:** Dec 10, 2013, 03:30 PM »

Okay, so I'm glad that I brought the fish out of the freezer, because I don't think it is as bad as I initially thought. I still think I'm leaning towards having the taxidermist fix the tail.

delta9 · « **Reply #26 on:** Dec 10, 2013, 05:30 PM »

Mount it as caught is my .02!

wiskeyfish · « **Reply #27 on:** Dec 10, 2013, 05:37 PM »

MOUNT IT BROTHER!!!!!! As is, you caught like that. Adds tons of character!!!!!

Sportsman44 · « **Reply #28 on:** Dec 10, 2013, 06:39 PM »

After seeing the pictures I;m going to lean to the other side of the fence. LOL

taxi ...fix my tail

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Author Topic: Should I??? (Read 1814 times)