Fishing, like hunting, can be an experience that you want to remember and share with others. Occasionally in life, we hook a once-in-a-lifetime fish or down a buck worth preserving with taxidermy. But how you handle the fish or animal post-catch can be the difference between an unbelievable trophy and a complete loss. If not approached in the right way, your hard work and any memories you were hoping to preserve can be lost in no time at all.
Rather than guessing about the best way to get your catch from the field to your taxidermist, read on to find out the top techniques to protect your catch. Here are the best practices for prepping fish for long lasting results so your fish mounts in Cody, WY will be around to admire for decades:
- Steady now: The taxidermy process starts from the moment you feel a tug on your line. Someone expecting to walk away with a trophy won’t get overly excited and start jerking their pole wildly—they will remain calm, knowing that the wrong move could damage their catch. Too much fight or inconsistent pressure on the line could break bones or damage flesh, so be steady and measured in your response.
- Be prepared: If you are planning on immortalizing your fishing trip through taxidermy, make sure your taxidermist has a heads up about your wanting fish mounts in Cody, WY before you depart. You’ll also need a cooler with lots of ice and a very wet towel big enough to wrap the fish inside. This will help to preserve it until you can get it to your taxidermist. Make sure the fins are flat against the body to avoid damage. Also, do not gut the fish; leave it intact.
- Take detailed photos: Fish start to lose their luster shortly after being pulled out of the water. While you might not immediately think that this is a problem, it will mean your trophy won’t have the same luster as the fish you remember catching. Take photos so that your taxidermist has a point of reference to work from. The more detailed these pictures are, the better.
- Time is not your friend: On the off chance you were thinking about stalling on the delivery of your catch, think again. You may have followed all of these instructions, but the longer you wait to take in your fish, the lower your chances of having an enviable trophy. Fish are delicate and can quickly sour if not cared for in the right way. The only way to ensure you have done all that you can is to deliver your catch as soon as possible. If for some reason you are unable to do this immediately, keep the fish cold and wet. If need be, freeze it in the wet towel.
Whether you want quality work done on deer mounts, mountain lion mounts or fish mounts in Cody, WY, know you can turn to the experts at Nature’s Design Taxidermy. Our team has the best taxidermists in the business—call us today!