152 How To Make Fish Mounts 



of Florida are asked to release their fish as a conservation 

 measure, unless the fish is to be used as a trophy. However, 

 smoked sailfish is gaining in popularity. Also, scientists have 

 found that the sailfish has a short life span and its release may 

 not be as important as previously thought. In the future more 

 sailfish may be taken ashore. 



The bill of a marlin or a sailfish looks much better if it in- 

 cludes a base rather than just the bill proper. Saw off the 

 bill part way up the head, about an inch or so in front of the 

 eye. Cut away the roof of the mouth— you may need a hack 

 saw— and remove all the insides with a knife. A chisel is useful 

 in gouging out the bony material and gristle. Work away until 

 the bony structure of the bill proper is reached and just a shell 

 of the base remains ( Fig. 152) . 



After cleaning out the base, rub the inside with salt. Set the 

 bill aside, well salted, in a pan overnight. This procedure will 

 assist in drawing out the juices. Scrape away some more at the 

 base and then wash off the salt. Usually, some grease will re- 

 main in the base; therefore, it is a good idea to soak the bill for 

 a few days in a strong detergent or other liquid which has the 

 power to remove the grease but will not harm the bill. Al- 

 though not always necessary, it is a good idea to place the bill 

 in a 10 per cent solution of Formalin (nine parts water to one 

 part Formalin ) for a few davs. Allow the bill to drv thoroughly 

 before mounting. 



It is difficult to saw off the bill from the head in such a 

 manner that the base is square— that is, so that when placed in 

 an upright position on a table the bill will be perfectly per- 

 pendicular to the table top. For this reason, some additional 

 cutting with a hack saw or a rasp will be necessary later. 



The bill makes a better appearance if the base is filled. One 

 method is to fill it with plaster of Paris. Make a heavy mixture 

 of the plaster— like stiff whipped cream— so that it will stay 

 where placed with a trowel. If the bill is to be hung on a wall, 

 insert a looped wire into the plaster while it is still soft. Wait 

 until the plaster is thoroughly dry before applying a couple of 

 coats of shellac to it. Then paint the bill in its natural colors, 



