Taxidermy Class Options

[swizz]

I'm taking on fish taxidermy as a new creative outlet and will have my first lesson today!
I have a 26"-27" male Rainbow which I caught a while back for my first specimen.
My instructor is a world renown and award winning taxidermist (fish, birds, big & small game) and professional photographer, check out his work! Freestone Fine Art
I'm honored to have the opportunity to learn from the best. Kevin is also fine woodsman and prospecting buddy.
I may post pics of my progress but I think that the process will take a while since I'll be doing it one weekend at a time and there are many steps.
Wish me luck!

Disclaimer: Kevin does NOT offer classes or lessons to individuals or the general public, he's doing this for me as a friend.

[swizz]

Doing well so far after two days.
I carved and sculpted my fish body from a block of taxidermy foam. This was difficult but really fun. I used calipers and numerous reference points on the actual fish, then transferred them to the foam block. Using Sharpie markers, knives, rasps, and sandpaper I sculpted my fish form. This step took me most of day 1 as my instructor is very particular when it comes to shape, size, and anatomy. If it isn't perfect the skin will not fit the mount properly. Most commercial taxidermists purchase pre-formed generic foam fish bodies (which lack detail) and work from there.... not Kevin, he sculpts incredible custom forms in his shop tailored to each specimen.
Next I skinned the fish which was difficult. I had filleted many fish throughout my life and figured that this step would be easy for me but it wasn't. Completely different technique and tools used for this as the skin must be preserved well and have absolutely no meat or fatty tissue attached. Skin is now soaking in mineral spirits.
The head was carefully removed. I then learned to create an exact cast of the the actual head which is an incredible process! Again, MOST commercial taxidermists just purchase a factory pre-formed head from a supply house and fit it to their body. This is another thing that sets Kevin apart... exact replication of the head rather than a generic trout head.
My next lesson will probably be mid-week, looking forward to it! I think the most difficult steps are behind but still very much work and many steps to go.