Fish Recreations Confirmed for GAC Open Weekend September 2012!

A stunning Brown Trout taking a Mayfly

We are pleased to announce that John Edwards from Fish Recreations will be attending our Open Weekend Event on the 29th and 30th of September 2012 and will be exhibiting some of his amazing works of fish art!

A traditional style wall mount

Fish replicas are booming in popularity over more traditional taxidermy and, due to their more ornamental format, are often bought as artworks even by those who have never caught a trophy fish! Why choose a replica from Fish Recreations? You may find the following advantages by choosing a replica over a traditional taxidermy mount, the most obvious being that the fish is released to fight and grow another day. These days big fish are becoming harder to find, and some species are in decline. Catch and release policies are now in force on many waters worldwide. Once a mould is taken from a dead specimen, countless numbers of casts can be taken from that one mould, meaning no more fish need to be taken. Fish replicas have been made in the USA for many many years,resulting in a huge choice of casts (blanks) to choose from. There is no ugly shrinkage or grease bleed associated with some poorly done traditional mounts, all Salmonid and all salt water species are notorious for "grease bleed as their heads and bodies are packed with natural oils that are all but impossible to remove completely, If undertaken at all, skin mounts of these species in particular should ideally be built with artificial heads and adipose fins. Also there is no fungus, insect infestations or other deterioration that can be associated with some traditional fish taxidermy mounts.

A specimen Perch captured in time

A good recreation will be indistinguishable from a traditional fish mount, in fact it should look even better! Replicas are also much more robust than traditional mounts, handy when life hands out knocks and bumps. In most cases there is no need for additional expensive covers or cases (depending on type of habitat base) and pricing is often lower compared with traditional fish taxidermy.

John says "I have always liked making things, and since I can remember I have drawn and painted, I am self taught apart from an "old" A in O′ level in art at school. (That shows my age!). After years of doing commissions part time on my art work I gradually became less motivated, I needed some thing more. As a keen fisherman I happened to chance upon an American web site with someone selling Fish replicas, I was hooked! This combines model making and painting, Plus most fishermen /women practice catch and release, (apart from "edible" fish such as trout and salmon). Most species are available as part built models from the USA; these still need lots of work done on them using dermal type tools and epoxy resins etc to get them ready to paint. Then I have to construct the base or diorama. To make replicas from actual fish, rocks, plants etc I had to learn the basics of moulding and casting in numerous materials, (I am still am learning) I use numerous types of materials. For painting modern day paints are a joy to use and I use a leading brand of Acrylics, plus the appropriate mediums. The result is a model fish that should last more than a life time."

Amazing attention to detail on the scales

With Fish Recreations you can have your catch of a lifetime "caught" in incredible life like detail, even though your fish was returned safely to the water. This is a modern alternative to Traditional fish Taxidermy methods and ideal for catch and release. Usually all that is needed from you are a few measurements, and one or two photographs of your prize before you return it to the water to enable John to match your fish species and size exactly. Each commission is done as if it were his own, they are completely hand made and painted, and some works can take many months to complete. Time is not taken into consideration with this type of art work. Check out the photos on their website to see the stunning attention to detail for yourself! We also hope to keep a selection of Johns work on display instore for all our customers to see all year round should you like to view one in person!

The eyes are super realistic!

For more information on what's happening during our September Open Weekend 2012, see our website or subscribe to this blog, our Facebook page or Twitter to be kept up to date!