Big brown replica

[bigace]

So I caught a nice big brown today at a southern New York reservoir. 25 inch male with a 15 inch girth.
I was thinking of getting a replica, I called toms taxidermy and he was asking 20 dollars an inch which would make the fish come out to 500 bucks before tax.
Anybody have any recommendations for a replica specialist in southern New York?
Any idea if I can find it a little cheaper then that?

[tblaster123]

ya I recommend not getting a replica and just get a real skin mount. unless you released the fish in which case youre kinda stuck with the crappy option of a replica.

cost me $11 an inch for the skin mounts im having done and the guy does fantastic work. if you kept the fish I can recommend somebody

[winterbuddy]

Replicas are more $ but also look nice for far longer.  IMO, real skin replicas always wind up looking fairly disgusting over time.

[Yotecatcher]

Real fish mounts will last a long time and look just as good as a replica as long as the taxidermist let's the skin bleed out all the oils and is a good artist. Guess it depends on what you can afford. It's like Deer heads European or Regular mount.

[fordman]

Northeast taxidermy

[filetandrelease]

Northeast taxidermy

X2 check them out

[trapper2000]

i'd mount that brown  right in a  deep  fryer  ...nice fish  man

[aquarium234]

Replica s are great slightly more expensive but if u go to a good taxidermist and compare them side by side you will have a tough time picking out yhe fake one now

[SSmokinn SS]

Hands down replicas are the way to go. They last forever. No future touch ups needed in the far future. No fading etc... and, the fish lives on.

I have both replicas and skin mounts from
My younger days... I will no longer keep a trophy for a skin mount.

OP, do you have Facebook? I know a guy in Syracuse that does replica mounts. He is the best I have seen that will not break the bank. He is just starting his own business so his prices are cheaper then most, but I promise you his work is better then 99% of the established taxidermists replicas I have ever seen. He started out doing it as a hobby and figured out he is just that good at it, so he started doing it for a living. I am asking if you have FB because that’s where his contact info/ photo Album is... he actually just did a nice trout replica.

He just quoted me $760 for my 22lb, 45” pike replica... and he does it in less then 3 months.

[wildlifer100]

Replicas are expensive because of the taxidermy suppliers charge a lot for them.   You should be able to find a place for 16-18 an inch.    Pm me and I might be willing to do for a more reasonable price.     I need to what you want done with it.   

[pollock]

Jack's taxidermy in cortland ny does fish. Been in business for over 40 years. Does skin and reproduction mounts. If a skin mount looks bad then it wasn't done right. If interested  send me a PM and I can get you a phone number. $10 per inch is his price.

[Noon]

I dont have a suggestion to offer, but will chime in about replica mounts. My father is a big game taxidermist but doesn't do fish at all. When I was deciding on college paths, I took a bunch of fish taxidermy classes and learned a bit about the trade. Skin mounts will fade over time, they are made from organic materials that even after being treated are still prone to decomposition at a quicker rate than replicas. Moisture will play a big role in the longevity of a skin mount as well (too much moisture and it can rot quicker, not enough and it can/will crack quicker As others have stated, if done well, you wont know the difference between a replica or a skin mount. A lot of skin mounts actually are easier to find flaws in as opposed to replicas. And with a replica, you can release the fish.

If you are ever planning on getting a replica made (or skin mount for the same matter), take a TON of pictures in all different light angles that you can share with the taxidermist. They are artists, and can make due but more pictures help them create a closer replication of the fish. Yes, supplies and forms are more expensive for replicas but a lot less messy and last much longer. Regardless of whether a mount is a replica or skin mount, think about the time it takes to make. Fish mounts are incredible works of fine art. The taxidermist has to paint every single little detail, from the spots to the scars to the iridescence to the wet look and every scale. Some guys take different routes to get different details and some might be shortcuts that will impact the finished product.
Consider your budget and consider how much it is worth to you to have a quality product. If you look at price over time, considering that a replica can last for many many years, I say it is worth looking at the quality of the work done by the taxidermist as opposed to the lowest price. Just like buying a cheap auger (it still gets the job done but you have to bust your ass every hole) and finally upgrading but having to spend the money again. It is better to spend the money the first time and always be satisfied with the work. But I am also a bargain shopper and say you could probably find a lower price for equal or greater quality. Just be sure that you will be satisfied with the finished product and the pricetag wont matter.


Hope this info helps and you find the right guy/gal for the job and congrats on one hell of a trout!!