4 How To Make Fish Mounts 



Place the fish on the dock, bottom of the boat, or ground. 

 Look through the finder and note that light is reflected from the 

 surface of the fish to the camera— unless it's a very cloudy day. 

 This reflection must be eliminated, or most of the true color 

 will be lost. Twist and turn the camera slightly; move a foot or 

 so in different directions. An angle to photograph the fish with- 

 out reflections, or at least a minimum of reflection, can always 

 be found. This procedure is not difficult, and with a bit of 

 practice results should be good. If a camera is not available 

 when the fish is caught, a later shot will of course be of some 

 value even though the vividness of color is gone. In this case, 

 supplement the camera work with written notes as soon as you 

 can obtain pencil and paper. 



It is possible to get by with only a field sketch and color 

 notes if you do not have a camera. I prefer to photograph the 

 fish and then supplement this action with copious notes on a 

 sketch pad which contains an outline of the fish. If you know 

 what species are to be collected, sketch a rough outline of the 

 fishes at home, using a reference book. It will save time in the 

 field. In recording notes an outline sketch of the fish will facili- 

 tate the recording of color without confusion. The outline need 

 not be absolutely accurate; but the eve, lips, and all fins must 

 be there. Jot the notes on the bodv of the fish sketch where the 

 colors occur, or else put them around the drawing with a line 

 drawn to the particular part of the fish described. 



Protecting the Specimen 



Protecting the specimen in the field will save much extra 

 work later, whether the fish is intended for a skin mount or a 

 cast. Whenever I'm collecting fish for mounting, I bring along 

 a couple of burlap sacks. As soon as the desirable specimen is 

 taken, the sack is soaked in water and wrapped around the fish. 

 Two things are accomplished. First, the fish is kept cool and 

 moist so that drving or shriveling of the skin and fins is pre- 

 vented. Second, the fins are protected from damage and no 



