SKINNING, FLESHING, MOUNTING & PAINTING A WHITE CRAPPIE
by Second 2 Nature Taxidermy Supply with Dick Spencer 2 Hrs
Dick starts by explaining how he already deslimed the fish. He removes the pectoral fin on the back side and then makes an incision down the back side from the tail to the gill collar. He continues on to skin the fish, clean the head, scrape the skin clean, remove the eyes and clean the cheeks. The skin is soaked overnight in a solution of water and Dry Preservative. He stitches the throat latch back in place and applies Dry Preservative to the skin, then a thin layer of Paper Mache. He then uses Critter Clay in the head and tail, places the skin on the urethane body and staples the seam. Next, he packs the cheeks, cards and pins the fins, cards the gill cover and positions the mouth. Let dry in a dark place. Dick shows how to paint a White Crappie skin mount and a fiberglass reproduction using the Master Paint System Polytranspar paints.
