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Posts: 929
Location: Rhinelander. | Just curious. The muskies you have on the wall. Especially interested in the first one you mounted or had a copy made of.
Now the question for you is.Was it a true trophy to you at the time?
I assume most of you did or you would not have spent the money.
Pfeiff |
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Posts: 457
| I don't have a pure strain mounted. I do have a 48" tiger repro, though.
I'd have had a mount done of a 40ish" fish I caught last year, because the colors were so unique, if I could have gotten pictures of her. |
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Posts: 929
Location: Rhinelander. | If there is a story behind it please do tell it. Ty
pfeiff |
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Location: Athens, Ohio | I dunno if this counts, but it's as close as I've gotten: my mom did a painting of a Lake Independence fish I caught in 2006. Not quite trophy size, but still a good fish. I hang it proudly on my wall next to the photo she used for it. m
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Posts: 929
Location: Rhinelander. | Mikie, how big. It must have been special to you to have her do that. What a nice thing to be able to have done.
Pfeiff |
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Posts: 2427
Location: Ft. Wayne Indiana | I've only gotten one repo and that was a 55.25....and I am going to go ahead and call that a "True Trophy". I always said I wasn't going to get a repo until we put one in the boat that I knew was going to be a tough one to beat. |
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Location: Athens, Ohio | mid-40's. Dang, I wish I knew how to shrink that, too big. sorry. m |
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Posts: 1456
Location: Kronenwetter, WI | My second season out I popped a 47.5 and was high for three months. I got the replica made....
Popped my new best this fall at 50".
Wife says I get one more swimmer to put on the wall.
I'm holding out.
If I had more than one more replica in my future, this one would go up.
Single guys beware.
Edited by Cowboyhannah 2/17/2008 8:32 AM
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Posts: 344
Location: Musky Country | We Have two replicas on the wall my first 49 1/2
and last years 54 1/2
Edited by Madmanmusky 2/17/2008 8:42 AM
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Posts: 1996
Location: Pelican Lake/Three Lakes Chain | I have two on the wall. One from many many years ago, way before catch and release was the thing to do. Skin mount, yeah I know, and its only 44". It is the only fish that was ever kept in my boat. Its actually a bit embarrassing to look at.
I also have a 51.5 on the wall. That one is a replica. Thinking about getting a 43 1/2 inch pike done as well. I will get more replicas done, my goal in life is to have as many mounts on my wall as Worrall does when the game is done! Long ways to go right now. |
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Posts: 929
Location: Rhinelander. | norm.
At the time I am sure that was a big fish to you and a 44 is a nice fish. I sure as heck would not feel bad when looking at it if I were you. A trophy is a trophy is whatever it is to the individual.
Mike H. thats a very nice fish at 55.
Pfeiff |
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Posts: 97
| I have a 51" on the wall, which was my first over 50. Since then I have 2 bigger (51.5 & 52), but to be honest I havent considered getting a replica of those for a few reasons.
1. There isn't much diffence between the 3.
2. Cost
3. After the 51", I told myself that the next one for the wall would have to be 54".
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Posts: 531
Location: Hugo, MN | I got a 47" Tiger done by Fittante, and it is beautiful. I doubt I'll get one bigger. I plan on getting a replica of a pure strain once I get one that will be hard to beat, like Hulbert said. Maybe 54...55. I'd hate to get a fish done and then beat it by a couple inches. If that happens I'd get a third replica, but my wife would probably not be enthused.
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Posts: 1887
Location: syracuse indiana | i have one replica its a rep of darrin conly's state record fish. it belongs to the webster lake musky club and im on the board of directors and was privelaged to have been asked to hang it on my wall....i know i didnt catch it but i still look at is all the time and its a heck of a conversation peice...bill
Edited by archerynut36 2/17/2008 10:57 AM
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Posts: 97
| Knooter,
I'd LOVE to have that problem.....Catch a 54" and beat it by a couple inches later on.
The ol lady would have to get over that. |
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Posts: 198
| 49" skin mount that died on me in the mid 1980's but is special as was the last fish my dad was along with. 52 1/2 x 28 1/2 replica that is very stunning. I also have a 48" wooden carving with four different types of wood included that is just gorgeous. I'm pretty much done with all mounts unless I get a monster hybrid or a fish over 60 lbs and then I'll get a replica made. No more intentional skin mounts for me. |
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Posts: 531
Location: Hugo, MN | 55esox,
No kidding! She'd not be part of the decision making process if I caught a 56 incher! I'd just hate having to pay for both if they came close together. That's a lot of inches at $13/ in. Surely I could find some wall space for such a fish. |
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Posts: 686
Location: Tomahawk, Wisconsin | I have a 49 1/2 incher on the wall with a story behind her, she hails from Pelican Lake from the early 1980's. A few years ago Rollie and Helens used to close for the winter. My brother was coming up from Iowa and knowing Rollie and Helen I called up there to see if we could wander the store even though they were closed to the general public. We got the green light from the store and off we went, while walking around the store Helen was taking apart an old glass display case that had a mounted muskie in it along with a bunch of old baits and tackle. I gave her a hand tearing it apart and she offered me the mount so I accepted it and that fish has graced my wall ever since. Not the most beautiful mount and the fish was not on the girthy side but I have my "fish for the wall". Perhaps when I break the Minnesota state record I can get a repo to replace her:) |
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Posts: 32890
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | I have a 43" skin mount from the late 70's, a 44" Canada fish that died before I got her in the boat in 1981, a 51" skin mount from 1979/1980 ( somewhere in that era, can't remember--long story on that one), a few Pike to 44", and a reproduction of the sixth big girl I caught off the Goon. One of these days I'd like to do the 54 and 54.5 I caught during a very cool trip in 1991 there right in front of Claybanks Marina just to make sure I stay ahead of Norm with the wall coverings.... Hannah Northcott had the only pictures, and when she passed away I'm not sure what happened to them. For years she had a tooth that I took out of my thumb while registering the released fish Rick Lax did a perfect reproduction of, and a bunch of images of our crew with fish from the Goon under a sheet of glass on the counter of the bait shop. I really miss that lady; she sort of adopted my boys and me.
Havent had a fish killed intentionally in my boat since '84, and won't allow another now that the reproductions are sooooo stunningly realistic.
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Posts: 2691
Location: Pewaukee, Wisconsin | Never did a skin mount because all of the ones I have seen growing up were just ok. I always planned on getting a repo as soon as the "one" showed up in the net.
Well I got a 53 x 26.5 and released her with some great pictures. Two days later I stuck a 57 x 27 and that was on some video with plenty of pictures being taken as we battles to get her to the boat and unhooked boatside. I lifted this 50lb'er into the air for a quick picture and released the beast to be caught again. I got the two fish repo'ed about 10 years ago. Both mounts have issues. the 57 x 27 was 4-inches short. The 53 x 26.5 was only a 24-inch girth. Both fish will be replaced very soon as the molds now are much more exact.
Since then I had Rick Lax do a 52.5 repo from my local metro waters in 2004. Great mount in every way. Lendth, girth, color, fins, head, eyes, gills, wood plaque and even the seal on the wood.
I also had Joe Fittante do a 47-inch fish for my son. Very nice paint work and wet look.
With the way Rick Lax is working to be the best of all the rest I will no doubt have him redo my big girls in the future. Maybe even next season if I don't stick a monster this comming season.
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gary53x24.jpg (8KB - 160 downloads)
ricks52.5x22.jpg (24KB - 240 downloads)
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Posts: 16632
Location: The desert | I've got a 50.5 replica on the way. |
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Posts: 567
| Mikey--cool cool pic ---priceless ! I have a 45 incher from 1991 or 92 --my 1st ski MD |
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Posts: 298
| First legal 41" in 1985, 40" tiger off the dock 1986, 46" in 1987, all skins, Lac Vieux Desert, Ron Lax.
51" 2000, 54" 2006, Rick did both repo's in 2008. Fantasic!, and no reason for anyone to ever purposely kill another fish.
Rick Lax muskie reproductions are the finest in the business. Making improvements in his body molds, head detail, and paint each year since he began making reproductions.
What makes Lax the best of all the rest?
1)Transparent fins
2)Internal mouth completely natural, see through gills, realistic teeth
3)The heads molds show every detail, crack, and crevice of a live muskie, even the little bump on top of the fish where the body flesh meets the skull.
4)Smooth, non-lumpy bodies, mounted in a multitude of natural fish positions.
5)Paint=awesome, even personal to the exact markings of your fish photo, and he's versatile in the muskies regional color patterns across North America
Lax, the Flag Ship of the industry.
Reease'm All!
LD |
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Posts: 929
Location: Rhinelander. | very interestiing to hear the stories behind the fish. thanks guys.
Pfeiff |
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Posts: 550
Location: So. Illinois | I have had one fish replica made of a fish my wife caught. It measured 44 X 22 and was absolutely the most perfect fish we have ever put in the boat. Not a trophy by the 50+ standard but a trophy for us -- significant meaning to the wife and I (something I will not share on this board). Not a single blemish, hookmark or split fin to be found, and she had the most beautiful markings of any fish that we have seen come out of our local lake. Don't know that I will ever get another reproduction as I doubt no other fish will hold the same meaning as this one does. A replica is more about what the fish represents in terms of memories that it provides (my personal definition of a true trophy) vs the actual size of the fish.
Edited by AFChief 2/23/2008 2:39 PM
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | i've got a unique replica mount done by joe fittante of a 52" fish taking a 34" fish that is eating a weagle ... the story of how this fish ate is pretty wild and the reproduction done by Joe Fittante is awesome ... perfect reproduction of the fish and the event!
i'll try to post a picture of it ...
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Posts: 929
Location: Rhinelander. | very nice looking fish AF, I like that you mentioned A TROPHY to us. It backs my feelings that a fish does not have to be 50 inches to be a trophy. The word true trophy truely lies with the owner of it. Yours is that,a True Trophy. Thanks for the story and pic.
Pfeiff
Also john the one eating the smaller one, very cool. ty also.
Edited by Don Pfeiffer 2/17/2008 10:46 PM
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Posts: 550
Location: So. Illinois | Johnny,
Your double mount is phenominal - a true work of art. Joe Fittanti is a true craftsman. I chose him to do my reproduction as well.
Jerry |
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Posts: 176
Location: Tomahawk, WI | I've got a 49.75" Wisconsin green machine Repo. from Aquatic arts of Tomahawk, and a 49" tiger from Fittante. Thinking of getting a Repo. of a very beautifully barred 51" fish i caught 2 years ago. After that, all that is left is a Spotted and i will be done, will need to travel great distances for it.
Mike |
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Posts: 260
Location: Lockport, IL | Growing up my Grandpa and dad had a couple pike on the wall. The biggest measured 42" caught in Illinois. I always dreamed of catching a fish that was bigger and when learning about muskies I knew that I would have my chance. I grew up fishing with medium action bass poles and when first starting to fish for pike and muskies the only thing that I changed was the fact that I tied a little steel liter to my 12 pound mono. I was lacking much knowledge in the game and was out fishing on the BIG V about 10 years ago and my buddy went to cast and snagged my pole snapping it in half. I cut of the rod down to around the 4th or 5th eye hole and continued fishing. Later that evening on half of a bass pole with 12 pound mono, I hooked a silver over some rocks. Somehow I snagged her in the corner of the mouth and got her in and measure her at 46". That was good enough for me and I was one happy dude. Since then I really have learned quite a bit and got my dad hooked on the musky bug. He caught a 44" musky in Illinois this past summer and to us that was a trophy as well. I never have caught a pike as big as my grandpa's, but did get a nice 39" pike while fishing for muskies. However, I always said Pike over 40" for me and I would consider mounting a musky over 48" (I have lost two 50 inchers on the BIG V). If my wife catches anything over 40" I will have to consider putting it on the wall. I think we do okay for folks who only get to fish no more than 20 days out of the year. |
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