Treatment of the Fish

HOW TO LOOK AFTER YOUR FISH AND SEND IT TO THE FISH TAXIDERMIST

INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE CORRECT TREATMENT OF FISH TO BE SENT OR FROZEN FOR THE PURPOSE OF FISH TAXIDERMY.

These instructions are for "best practice". I quite understood that when that "fish of a lifetime" is finally landed the circumstances are usually far from ideal. As by definition one can hardly be prepaed for it. However these instructions should be followed as closely as possible to give the best results in the completed mount.

1. On landing the fish should be cleanly killed and if possible photographed in natural light against a neutral background. Some close up shots are always helpful. There is no need to clean (gut) the fish or wash it. Some fish such as charr and small brownies are very scale loose and can be damaged if you try to wash off the natural slime on them.

2. The fish needs to be frozen as soon as possible after capture.

Wrap the fish in cling film and lay it flat on a board. Wrap the cling film around the fish and the board so it won't fall off. If hardboard or wood are not available cardboard will suffice. Place in a freezer. If no freezer is available keep it in the coolest place you can find. NEVER store it in water.

3. Postal instructions:

Most of the fish that I set up arrive by courier the following instructions will ensure that your fish arrives in perfect condition.

Take a household bathroom type towel, wet it thoroughly and wring it out so it is "damp", take the fish frozen on its board from the freezer and wrap it up in the damp towel. Place the whole lot in a strong polythene bin liner (or two) and wrap it up tightly with 2" brown parcel tape. Put it back in the freezer. Leave for 12hrs minimum *stored in this manner a fish can be kept for many months without any adverse damage*

4. When you are ready to send it contact a reliable carrier company. I have used Amtrak for more than 10 years with no problems. They are easily contacted (yellow pages under delivery and collection services) and will collect from you and deliver next day a.m. take the fish from the freezer and place it in a strong cardboard box and pack with newspaper.

(Some people have access to polystyrene boxes. these are fine but never pack with ice and always place the styrene box in a strong cardboard "outer" box. polystyrene boxes on their own are not strong enough.)

5. Put the delivery address and your address clearly on the parcel, enclose a covering letter containing all your details. Prepare the parcel in advance and pack it as close as possible to the time of collection.

Please do not send a fish without confirming the arrangements with me first as I always make sure I am available to receive fish being sent by carrier.

CONTACT ME DIRECT OR BY WEB MAIL FORM