After my first Trophy Striped Bass was totally ruined by an amature, I still had my Trophy Largemouth Bass an 8 pound 1 ounce monster from a small Kentucky Lake skin mounted. I was happy with that mount, but over the years it faded, and I became less happy with the mount.

I now believe totally in Catch It, Photograph It, and Release It... (CPR Fishing)

I really came of age on a trip to Canada. Our resources are so stretched today that EVERY SINGLE FISH is a treasure especially Trophy fish. A trophy Lake Trout in Canada can be 20 years old to get to a size of 8 pounds. A trophy Pike can live for 40 years to get to record weight, and I know of at least one Muskie in Canada that is over 30 years old. These fish should be around for the enjoyment and excitement of MORE than one person.

I recently came across several products that I personally feel are of great worth to the CPR philosophy. The first is my Fuji Throwaway Cameras. A friend, Wes Thomas who fishes the FLW Tour gave me a couple of these great cameras and I love them. They take great pictures and the colors are very true. They are very easy to get developed too. 

I hope to get the new Fuji Digital Camera S5000 with 10X zoom. For a professional writer who needs to take his own pictures this  Fuji Digital will fit the bill in getting good close ups of the fish with the proper colors and still allow me to take pics of fishermen in other boats or at a distance. 

Next is my favorite Replica Mount Company. American Fish Taxidermy which specializes in Fish Replica and Fish Skin Mounts. I recently ordered a 20.75 inch smallmouth from them from a trip / tournament I fished in 2002. I caught my first Trophy Smallmouth a 5 pounder on a new technique.. at least  for me..the Float and Fly.

The Apporximately 5 lb smallie was caught on a 1/16th oz. jig, and a 9.5 Noodle Rod. What a fight. I will now be able to recall the entire trip thanks to my Replica from American Fish Taxidermy

Catch and Release can also mean on occasion Catch, Photograph, Hold and Release. Fish that are over stressed need to be put into a well oxygenated live well. Several products on the market will assist the fish in recuperating from the fight and reduce the shock to the fishes system. The one problem with this is when you catch a huge fish that is not legal. My 20.75 inch smallmouth from Dale Hollow was not a legal fish. The lake is on a 16 inch to 21 inch slot limit. SO be careful what you do when you hold a fish for resuscitation purposes.

I highly recommend releasing any and all Game fish you intend to mount. Take at least 3 pictures of the fish. One close up, one at a moderate distance of about 5 feet, and one next to an object that you can measure, or on a ruler. If you have one of the new Boca Grip weighing handles take a picture with the grip, weight and fish visible.  

Color photos from different angles will help the Taxidermist to duplicate the look and the feel of your trophy.

PUT E'M Back ALIVE ... Save a fish for your children and grandchildren.

Jim Dicken / Owner FGHP.com
Editor Fishin.com

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