Mounting a perch

[Milkdud]

What would most of you fisherman/women consider a mountable perch? My 10 year old daughter caught a 13.5 inch perch this weekend and it was the biggest fattest thing I have ever seen. She wants to mount it but I am not sure i want to spend $150 or more to do so. There was a good story behind this fish being caught so that might be a good enough reason to mount it. Just curious what everyone else thinks?

[AaronM]

Are you sure on the $150 price for a 13 inch fish? If I remember right it was less then that for my 21 inch smallmouth I had mounted a few years ago. If it was a good story, maybe it is worth mounting. Although, the best topic starters I've found are just plain pictures, you can then blow them up if you want, and the fish will be able to live for another fishermen in another battle. Good luck!

[Ice Buster]

I think when it comes to family, remembrance via pictures are always great, but if it is something of sedamental value and the decision lies regarding money, in most cases do not let that become the deciding factor. I've seen bowhunters get a head mount of their children's first bow kill regardless of size or sex. I say mount the perch and when you catch the 12 pound walleye next weekend, you can display it eating the perch. Haha

[Stiff]

What do you think you will be thinking two or three years from now looking back on this situation? There is your answer.

[Doop]

It's funny you ask this question because I was just thinking about this exact situation...but I'm on the kid end of it. When I was about 9 or 10 I caught a HUGE crappie. Biggest I've seen to date....i've been to URL...this fish was caught in southern MN...I know my dad debated about getting it mounted or not...never did. I wish he would have....we ended up losing the picture. Get it mounted...but $175 or whatever...is waaaay too much! <BR>Good Luck

[woodman]

I hope you didn't make the same mistake that I did about a month ago. I caught a nice perch like your daughter did and put it on the porch to freeze. Well my wife's new lab got a hold of it, and I spent about 2 hours digging around the yard looking for it. I still have not found it. I hope she didn't eat it. I told the wife I will have to mount her dog's [PoorWordUsage]! <P><BR>I would say mount it!!!<P>------------------<BR>An angler is a man who spends rainy days sitting around on the muddy banks of rivers doing nothing because his wife won't let him do it at home. <BR>(Mark Twain)<P>Keep on Fishing!,<P>Woodman

[Reel Time]

I have a cousin who had his first perch mounted, actually his first fish. I have fished with minnows bigger than this fish, but the fish is on the wall next to his dad's big Northern and it's still a conversation starter, even though there's not a story behind it besides it being a "first" fish. My personal opinion is if you don't get it mounted you will regret it sooner or later, no matter what the cost. Cheers<P>Reel

[yendor]

woodman<BR>If you sat it out side its gone. My dogs will act like peronas to fish guts if I<BR>throw them out side.<P>------------------<BR>catch them all big fat an small

[PYROPAL]

IT WOULD BE SWEET THINKING OF YOUR LITTLE GIRL...GROWN UP AND GONE AWAY...STILL DRAGGING THAT PERCH WITH HER LIKE SOME KIND OF TREASURED ART-WORK TO HANG ON HER WALL. THE PERCH DO GET BIGGER.....AND THE TAXIDERMY CAN BE CHEAPER...BUT THE MEMORY IS WHAT IS PRICELESS.

[Guest]

I caught a 26lb northern when I was 12 years old down in Grindstone lake by Hinkley (Before CPR was actively practiced - 20 years ago). <P>There wasn't even a question of not getting it mounted, and I've never regretted it. Even if I caught it today, I would probably still get it mounted. 44" long x 19" girth. <P>I've never considered mounting another fish or animal, but I've also never caught another specimen like this one.<P>It all depends on how much fishing you plan on doing with your daughter, and how much expendable income you have. To this day I look at that fish and can remember the how, when, where. Everything about the experience.<P>Will she care about the perch in 5 years? 25 years? Was there something special about the moment? First fish? First fishing trip? That's what really matters.

[Milkdud]

Thanks guys for all of your suggestions, the memory of this trip will last for a long time and I think getting that perch mounted will make it last for even longer. Does anyone know of a good taxidermist in the Crookston, Grand Forks area?

[Ice Buster]

Look into Sportsman Tax. in East Grand Forks, I've had a Walleye and Three crappies done there. Jim Benson (22 years of exp.) does awesome job, also you can view his work in his studio.

[icehook]

I would get it mounted, my son caught a 3.5 pound small mouth this summer and i had it mounted for him its all he talks about. I cant go fishing without him by my side or im in big trouble and he is only seven.<P>I had wilderness taxidermy in trf mn do the fish great job.

[Scoot]

Dud,<P>Sounds like a nice fish. If you don't decide to get it mounted, hopefully you have pictures of her with it. You could blow one up and put it in a nice frame maybe?<P>I can't find your e-mail addy- what is it?<P>------------------<BR>Scoot<P>So I got dat goin’ for me… which is nice.

[Lip RIPPER!]

I agree with Ice Buster. Go to EGF to have it mounted. His work is remarkable and he stands behind his work

[upnorth]

Hey my thinking is you can always go make more money. Great memories are not that easy to come by. Mount the perch

[Doc Madison]

I've posted previously on this, but I'm more of a photo and release guy. If you're looking for memories what better way to remember the excitement than seeing the smile on her face in a photo. That size perch is still plenty good eats , too!

[Milkdud]

Thanks everyone I am going to get it mounted. I am going to bring it to sportsman's taxidermy in EGF. My daughter is pretty excited about this whole thing! Thanks for the advise.