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Community => Taxidermy & Scoring => Topic started by: bucklucky on March 21, 2009, 09:34:41 AM

Title: First Reproduction Steelhead (Charlies Taxidermy)
Post by: bucklucky on March 21, 2009, 09:34:41 AM: Well here is the first Reproduction fish I have ever done, never even messed with fish period (Taxidermy Wise ;) ) I was ging to take a course with Rick Krane ( One of the best fish guys out there) but am not able to afford the 2 weeks away from home or the cost of the class and airfare $$$$ (bout $4,000) . So I decided to buy one of his videos and go from there. About $400.00 in materials I was ready to take the plunge :yike: A customer of mine has been hounding me to do a 22 pound steelhead for him , well here is what I came up with. I tried to interpret his picture best I could and from what he told me about the fish, I think I got pretty close. The fish isnt exactly finished yet , still have to put the fins on and gloss the fish itself. Its just matte right noe. The gloss will bring out the pearl escents a little better. Well what do you think for a first??
Title: Re: First Reproduction Steelhead (Charlies Taxidermy)
Post by: boneaddict on March 21, 2009, 09:39:40 AM: Pretty impressive. I like how you blended to make the body much more realistic (not plastic looking) You didn't get that as well on the nose. Its still a bit shiny or plastic but STILL outstanding and way better than I could ever dream of and quite frankly as good as I have seen from guys that do hundreds of them. Customer should be very happy.
Title: Re: First Reproduction Steelhead (Charlies Taxidermy)
Post by: Little John on March 21, 2009, 11:56:10 AM: So you do fish now!!!! :) :) very cool. How are the ducks coming along??? ;) ;)
The steelhead looks great, :)
Title: Re: First Reproduction Steelhead (Charlies Taxidermy)
Post by: Jackjr on March 21, 2009, 11:57:39 AM: Looks pretty good to me. Now you just need to do birds and you will have it all covered. Then you will be to busy to sleep.
Title: Re: First Reproduction Steelhead (Charlies Taxidermy)
Post by: huntnphool on March 21, 2009, 12:26:19 PM: His fins look a little stubby. Amazing what they can do with composites these days, nice work Charlie.
Title: Re: First Reproduction Steelhead (Charlies Taxidermy)
Post by: Jeremiah P on March 21, 2009, 10:00:22 PM: Good to know that you do fish now, and natives at that :chuckle:
Might let you do one for me.
Title: Re: First Reproduction Steelhead (Charlies Taxidermy)
Post by: Ray on March 21, 2009, 10:01:55 PM: It looks great.
Title: Re: First Reproduction Steelhead (Charlies Taxidermy)
Post by: bowsandhose on March 22, 2009, 09:35:35 AM: very nice
Title: Re: First Reproduction Steelhead (Charlies Taxidermy)
Post by: PolarBear on March 22, 2009, 09:42:18 AM: Sweet!! Nice work man! I was going to axe you if you did fish. I would like to have a replica of my 26 lb steelie or 60 lb King. PM me with what you would charge or if you wold do it. I kinda like the matte look to it.
Title: Re: First Reproduction Steelhead (Charlies Taxidermy)
Post by: bow-n-head on March 22, 2009, 09:42:27 AM: very nice, do you use water base paint or laquor? I ask because I have trouble with water base drying on the tip of my air brush and spitting paint. I have never tried laquor. I am probably to impatient for it.
Title: Re: First Reproduction Steelhead (Charlies Taxidermy)
Post by: bucklucky on March 22, 2009, 09:51:14 AM: Quote from: bow-n-head on March 22, 2009, 09:42:27 AM
very nice, do you use water base paint or laquor? I ask because I have trouble with water base drying on the tip of my air brush and spitting paint. I have never tried laquor. I am probably to impatient for it.

I used laquer on this fish. It doesnt dry on the tip like the water based does, well not as easy from what I have seen.

PB I will PM ya.
Title: Re: First Reproduction Steelhead (Charlies Taxidermy)
Post by: agchawk on March 22, 2009, 10:11:56 AM: Looks great to me...especially for a "first".
Title: Re: First Reproduction Steelhead (Charlies Taxidermy)
Post by: NW-Eric on March 22, 2009, 10:26:37 AM: looks great to me
Title: Re: First Reproduction Steelhead (Charlies Taxidermy)
Post by: washingtonmuley on March 22, 2009, 11:03:49 AM: Nice job.What blank did you use?
Title: Re: First Reproduction Steelhead (Charlies Taxidermy)
Post by: mossback91 on March 22, 2009, 11:09:14 AM: Get that fish in some water before it DIES!!!!
Title: Re: First Reproduction Steelhead (Charlies Taxidermy)
Post by: bucklucky on March 22, 2009, 11:10:19 AM: I think that was the pro-140 out of research. They call it a 24 pound fish but they are usually 2 pounds high on there weights.
Title: Re: First Reproduction Steelhead (Charlies Taxidermy)
Post by: M_ray on March 22, 2009, 11:31:24 AM: Excellent job! I'll agree the Dorsal looks a Little funny for a fish that large or kinda stubby but you are still way ahead of the game at this point! I've seen some terrible fish and repo's from guy's that have been doing them for 20 years, I wouldn't pay them 10 bucks to do mine!!! I have allways wished I had mounted a hen I caught years ago that weighed in at 19.6 about ten hrs after it was caught, so it was probably right around 20 when landed. Just add that to the list I have for you and when the dust settles (And you know what I mean) we'll see ;) Again great job as usual! :)
Title: Re: First Reproduction Steelhead (Charlies Taxidermy)
Post by: bucklucky on March 22, 2009, 11:34:20 AM: Not sure about the fin, its a actual mold of the fish so maybe it was just stubby?? I dont know. They list the fish at 24 pounds in the book. 40 x 20 3/4, more like 22?
Title: Re: First Reproduction Steelhead (Charlies Taxidermy)
Post by: M_ray on March 22, 2009, 11:37:46 AM: Yeah probably so, I wouldn't complain either way with it you've done great!
Title: Re: First Reproduction Steelhead (Charlies Taxidermy)
Post by: bucklucky on March 22, 2009, 11:40:54 AM: I just looked at a 20 pound repro I have here and the fin is about an inch taller than on the 22.
Title: Re: First Reproduction Steelhead (Charlies Taxidermy)
Post by: furbearer365 on March 22, 2009, 06:18:44 PM: What brand of repo did you use, Dennis Arp or Research? Also which airbrush is your favorite. Double action or single? Just wanting to know personal preference.
Title: Re: First Reproduction Steelhead (Charlies Taxidermy)
Post by: bucklucky on March 22, 2009, 07:22:16 PM: Quote from: furbearer365 on March 22, 2009, 06:18:44 PM
What brand of repo did you use, Dennis Arp or Research? Also which airbrush is your favorite. Double action or single? Just wanting to know personal preference.

The answer:

Quote from: bucklucky on March 22, 2009, 11:10:19 AM
I think that was the pro-140 out of research. They call it a 24 pound fish but they are usually 2 pounds high on there weights.

I like my Iwata HpBc Plus, double action airbrush. Cant beat Iwata quality.
Title: Re: First Reproduction Steelhead (Charlies Taxidermy)
Post by: jager on March 22, 2009, 08:28:14 PM: Never mounted a fish? :bow: That thing is awesome! How many hours do you have into that guy?
Title: Re: First Reproduction Steelhead (Charlies Taxidermy)
Post by: bucklucky on March 22, 2009, 08:32:57 PM: All day and then all evening :chuckle: Still not finished :chuckle:
Title: Re: First Reproduction Steelhead (Charlies Taxidermy)
Post by: heavy hauler on March 22, 2009, 08:38:32 PM: charlie you are never finished. :chuckle: i know you are a perfectionist , but thats a great quality in a taxidermist. awesome job as always
Title: Re: First Reproduction Steelhead (Charlies Taxidermy)
Post by: MuleySniper on March 22, 2009, 08:54:03 PM: Nice job on your first!! Looks chrome to me. :tup:
MS
Title: Re: First Reproduction Steelhead (Charlies Taxidermy)
Post by: bucklucky on March 22, 2009, 08:59:05 PM: Next one will be better, I was in a hurry to get paint on this fish. You know, its like a little kid going to disneyland . Now I can take my time and fix what isnt correct and see how I can improve on the fish. Now I just need another customer ;)
Title: Re: First Reproduction Steelhead (Charlies Taxidermy)
Post by: Turkeyman on March 22, 2009, 09:05:49 PM: Great job i will bring my first 20 pound fish to you.
Title: Re: First Reproduction Steelhead (Charlies Taxidermy)
Post by: bucklucky on March 22, 2009, 09:20:55 PM: Quote from: Turkeyman on March 22, 2009, 09:05:49 PM
Great job i will bring my first 20 pound fish to you.

Just take measurements, nose to end of tail and the girth, take good close up pictures of the whole fish for color purposes and eat it or turn it loose. Keep it in the water if your gona release it though.
Title: Re: First Reproduction Steelhead (Charlies Taxidermy)
Post by: Turkeyman on March 23, 2009, 08:39:17 PM: Will do thanks for info.
Title: Re: First Reproduction Steelhead (Charlies Taxidermy)
Post by: robb92 on March 24, 2009, 12:47:34 AM: Looks good to me!!!
Title: Re: First Reproduction Steelhead (Charlies Taxidermy)
Post by: PacificNWhunter on March 24, 2009, 07:09:01 AM: Sweet looking fish, nice job bucklucky
Title: Re: First Reproduction Steelhead (Charlies Taxidermy)
Post by: bucklucky on March 24, 2009, 08:20:14 AM: If anyone has a reproduction fish they want done, I will give a discount to you . PM me if interested.
Title: Re: First Reproduction Steelhead (Charlies Taxidermy)
Post by: littlebuf on March 24, 2009, 09:15:17 PM: i caught a 350# halibut this year. want some more practice :P
Title: Re: First Reproduction Steelhead (Charlies Taxidermy)
Post by: bucklucky on March 24, 2009, 09:21:15 PM: :chuckle:
Title: Re: First Reproduction Steelhead (Charlies Taxidermy)
Post by: Dustin07 on March 25, 2009, 01:11:10 PM: I had a trout I'd love to get done but it was below the minimum 8" keeper length so I had to throw it back and didn't get any pics :'(

great work though, I'll have to drop you a line when you are ready for waterfowl!
Title: Re: First Reproduction Steelhead (Charlies Taxidermy)
Post by: klickman on April 02, 2009, 12:54:32 PM: Looks great good job

Klickman