On Sun, 05 Aug 2007 01:29:19 -0700, Chuck Gould
wrote:

Do "replica trophies" cheapen the value of mounted trophies in
general, or are they an idea that is becoming ever more appropriate as
greater numbers of fishermen try to release most of their catch?

Why should they? If somebody wants to put a 10 lb fish on the wall
when it really was a 2 pound whatever, that's their problem - doesn't
affect my experiences any.

Most of the angler catch n' release awards are phoney anyway unless
they are documented and witnessed by a third party.

Most of my "trophy" fish are pictures on the wall. I did have one 55
pound striper replicated if only because it makes a nice mount on the
wall. The other wall "trophy" is a 16 point buck rack I took fifteen
years ago which holds my fly rods.

Nowadays, the trophy industry has two levels. The first is what you
mention - mass produced molds of certain types of fish all pre-painted
and delivered by UPS right to your door - no verification. The second
type is custom made trophy fish based on a picture and witnessed
verification of length, girth and weight. It's a mass produced mold,
but it's placed in the position you want, can be artistically enhanced
with backgrounds or the lure you used to catch it and hand painted for
details like scars, fin flaws, etc. Those are valuable because of the
detail.

Less valuable? No - not to me anyway.