Now, for the walleye.
This is my first attempt at a traditional “skin mount” (it aint all that pretty!)
These are by no means “trophy fish”, but good eater size and big enough to practice/learn from.
I wrapped one in a damp towel, bagged it, and stuck it in the freezer for later.
I skinned the other out, fileted the meat and had a nice meal! I soaked the skin and head in a mix of denatured alcohol/water for 3 days.
In the mean time, I glued 3 pieces of dense foam insulation together, for the body form. I had traced out the fish, before skinning it.
Using a rasp and sandpaper, I carved the body form…
Like all modeling…test fit!
I carved out the back of the form to add a wood mounting block…
To mount the skin, I coated the foam with glue and just wrapped the skin around. I used some Magic-sculpt resin to fill in some areas around the tail, “shoulder” and to replace the cheek meat that had to be removed. I pinned the head in place with bits of coat hanger wire.
The fins are “carded”, so that as it dries out, the fins will stay in place.
After 2 weeks left alone to dry out, I decarded the fins, coated them with Mod Podge and added tissue paper “fin backer”, to fill in the gaps where the fins were split. Also a bit more resin where the tail end had shrunk in. Eyes were also set with resin.
I am not overly pleased with the angle of the head, I added a fair amount of resin to the chin/belly area, to take away from the downward angle of the head.
Fin backer trimmed…
Aint that pretty?!!!
At this point, I’m calling the fish done. I’m not thrilled with it, but not all that disappointed for my first try.
I just have to find something to mount it to, then I’ll take some pics and post em.
