Has Billy Bass supplanted taxidermy?
 

Posting the item about the bass fishing photo contest inspired me to
do some very brief research into contemporary trophy standards.

Looks like fiberglass "replica" fish are somewhat replacing skin
mounts from taxidermists. Order a bunch of fiberglass bass from China,
wait until some guy calls up to say "I caught a 10 pounder", slap the
appropriate size on a piece of oak or maple, and ship it off FedEx at
$150 COD?

Mixed thoughts on this- a "replica fish" allows a catch and release
fishery while obviously skin mount taxidermy does not. But at the same
time, what prevents some compulsive liar from bragging about hooking a
series of piscatorial monsters and just buying a bunch of replica fish
to "prove it"?
Heck, you could accumulate a wall full of bogus trophies while doing
some imaginary fishing from an imaginary boat.

It doesn't seem like some of the companies have any real interest in
whether or not a trophy fish claim is legitimate. Here's an example of
a company with a website that states it "isn't necessary" to
photograph, weigh, or measure the fish prior to ordering a mounted
replica:


http://www.fibertechproductions.com/


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?

Has Billy Bass supplanted taxidermy?
 

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.

Has Billy Bass supplanted taxidermy?
 

Chuck Gould wrote:
Posting the item about the bass fishing photo contest inspired me to
do some very brief research into contemporary trophy standards.

Looks like fiberglass "replica" fish are somewhat replacing skin
mounts from taxidermists. Order a bunch of fiberglass bass from China,
wait until some guy calls up to say "I caught a 10 pounder", slap the
appropriate size on a piece of oak or maple, and ship it off FedEx at
$150 COD?

Mixed thoughts on this- a "replica fish" allows a catch and release
fishery while obviously skin mount taxidermy does not. But at the same
time, what prevents some compulsive liar from bragging about hooking a
series of piscatorial monsters and just buying a bunch of replica fish
to "prove it"?
Heck, you could accumulate a wall full of bogus trophies while doing
some imaginary fishing from an imaginary boat.

It doesn't seem like some of the companies have any real interest in
whether or not a trophy fish claim is legitimate. Here's an example of
a company with a website that states it "isn't necessary" to
photograph, weigh, or measure the fish prior to ordering a mounted
replica:


http://www.fibertechproductions.com/


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?



If you want dead animals on your wall, shop garage sales or ebay. I have
always considered hanging animal trophies on the wall a tad repulsive.

Has Billy Bass supplanted taxidermy?
 

On Aug 5, 7:47 am, HK wrote:
Chuck Gould wrote:
Posting the item about the bass fishing photo contest inspired me to
do some very brief research into contemporary trophy standards.

Looks like fiberglass "replica" fish are somewhat replacing skin
mounts from taxidermists. Order a bunch of fiberglass bass from China,
wait until some guy calls up to say "I caught a 10 pounder", slap the
appropriate size on a piece of oak or maple, and ship it off FedEx at
$150 COD?

Mixed thoughts on this- a "replica fish" allows a catch and release
fishery while obviously skin mount taxidermy does not. But at the same
time, what prevents some compulsive liar from bragging about hooking a
series of piscatorial monsters and just buying a bunch of replica fish
to "prove it"?
Heck, you could accumulate a wall full of bogus trophies while doing
some imaginary fishing from an imaginary boat.

It doesn't seem like some of the companies have any real interest in
whether or not a trophy fish claim is legitimate. Here's an example of
a company with a website that states it "isn't necessary" to
photograph, weigh, or measure the fish prior to ordering a mounted
replica:

http://www.fibertechproductions.com/

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?

If you want dead animals on your wall, shop garage sales or ebay. I have
always considered hanging animal trophies on the wall a tad repulsive.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

I am imagining Harrys office, with stuffed Bush and Cheney heads on
the wall, right next to Barry Goldwater;)

Has Billy Bass supplanted taxidermy?
 

wrote:
On Aug 5, 7:47 am, HK wrote:
Chuck Gould wrote:
Posting the item about the bass fishing photo contest inspired me to
do some very brief research into contemporary trophy standards.
Looks like fiberglass "replica" fish are somewhat replacing skin
mounts from taxidermists. Order a bunch of fiberglass bass from China,
wait until some guy calls up to say "I caught a 10 pounder", slap the
appropriate size on a piece of oak or maple, and ship it off FedEx at
$150 COD?
Mixed thoughts on this- a "replica fish" allows a catch and release
fishery while obviously skin mount taxidermy does not. But at the same
time, what prevents some compulsive liar from bragging about hooking a
series of piscatorial monsters and just buying a bunch of replica fish
to "prove it"?
Heck, you could accumulate a wall full of bogus trophies while doing
some imaginary fishing from an imaginary boat.
It doesn't seem like some of the companies have any real interest in
whether or not a trophy fish claim is legitimate. Here's an example of
a company with a website that states it "isn't necessary" to
photograph, weigh, or measure the fish prior to ordering a mounted
replica:
http://www.fibertechproductions.com/
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?
If you want dead animals on your wall, shop garage sales or ebay. I have
always considered hanging animal trophies on the wall a tad repulsive.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

I am imagining Harrys office, with stuffed Bush and Cheney heads on
the wall, right next to Barry Goldwater;)



Puke. Well, puke as to Bush and Cheney. Bush/Cheney imprinted toilet
tissue might be acceptable.

You insult the memory of Goldwater by lumping him in with oozing sores
like Bush and Cheney. For a politician, Goldwater was an honorable man.

Has Billy Bass supplanted taxidermy?
 

On Aug 5, 9:24 am, HK wrote:
wrote:
On Aug 5, 7:47 am, HK wrote:
Chuck Gould wrote:
Posting the item about the bass fishing photo contest inspired me to
do some very brief research into contemporary trophy standards.
Looks like fiberglass "replica" fish are somewhat replacing skin
mounts from taxidermists. Order a bunch of fiberglass bass from China,
wait until some guy calls up to say "I caught a 10 pounder", slap the
appropriate size on a piece of oak or maple, and ship it off FedEx at
$150 COD?
Mixed thoughts on this- a "replica fish" allows a catch and release
fishery while obviously skin mount taxidermy does not. But at the same
time, what prevents some compulsive liar from bragging about hooking a
series of piscatorial monsters and just buying a bunch of replica fish
to "prove it"?
Heck, you could accumulate a wall full of bogus trophies while doing
some imaginary fishing from an imaginary boat.
It doesn't seem like some of the companies have any real interest in
whether or not a trophy fish claim is legitimate. Here's an example of
a company with a website that states it "isn't necessary" to
photograph, weigh, or measure the fish prior to ordering a mounted
replica:
http://www.fibertechproductions.com/
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?
If you want dead animals on your wall, shop garage sales or ebay. I have
always considered hanging animal trophies on the wall a tad repulsive.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

I am imagining Harrys office, with stuffed Bush and Cheney heads on
the wall, right next to Barry Goldwater;)

Puke. Well, puke as to Bush and Cheney. Bush/Cheney imprinted toilet
tissue might be acceptable.

You insult the memory of Goldwater by lumping him in with oozing sores
like Bush and Cheney. For a politician, Goldwater was an honorable man.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Yeah, you caught me.. I am a little young to remember BG, but the name
always sounded cool when I was a kid;)

Has Billy Bass supplanted taxidermy?
 

If you want dead animals on your wall, shop garage sales or ebay. I have
always considered hanging animal trophies on the wall a tad repulsive.


Of course, a lot of people also consider chronic lying to be a tad
replusive.

Has Billy Bass supplanted taxidermy?
 

On Aug 5, 3:29 am, Chuck Gould wrote:

series of piscatorial monsters and just buying a bunch of replica fish
to "prove it"?
Heck, you could accumulate a wall full of bogus trophies while doing
some imaginary fishing from an imaginary boat.

Probably perfect for some who claim to be around Lake Lanier....