Skinning and Skin Mounts 93 



This method of fish mounting is far from the best; however, 

 anyone handy with tools will find it fun. And with care a pleas- 

 ingly presentable mount can be achieved. Twenty-two years 

 ago the first taxidermy job for which I received payment was a 

 16-inch rainbow trout. I put my heart and soul into the mount 

 which was done by the above method. The mount still looks 

 presentable. I have tried to buy it back from Dr. Joseph 

 DeVita, a veterinarian, for whom I did the job. I would love 

 to have it in my tackle room as a memento. However, he at- 

 taches as much sentimental value to it as I would. The rainbow 

 remains displayed proudly in his office and he will not sell! 

 I did manage to photograph it, however, as Fig. 89. 



Fig. 89. This rainbow, a skin over a wooden body, was mounted by the 

 author twenty-two years ago. It has never needed repair and is in sur- 

 prisingly good condition. 



Skin Mounts-Half Mold 



One of the easiest ways to mount a fish is to use a one-side 

 mold as a guide or form to fill out the skin with molding plaster 

 or casting compound. A mold for this purpose does not have 



