Hunting and Fishing is enjoyed by millions of people and can be quite rewarding not only in putting food on the table and in the freezer but also by the memories of good times shared with friends and family. After a day on the water some like to preserve the memory by getting a prized fish mounted. This isn’t always done for the "trophy" but rather the memory of the experience.

Don’t let your memories spoil!  In order to achieve the best mount possible there are a few things you should do once you decide that it’s a keeper.

Taking a picture, if possible is best done as soon as the fish leaves the water. Fish lose their color in a short period of time when it leaves the water and pictures will show the original coloration of the fish. Perch, Walleye, Bass, etc. all have their specific markings and colors but these can fluctuate depending on the body of water it was taken from.

When dealing with fish you should try and keep the fish in a live well while out on the water, if this is not possible then get it on ice as soon as possible. To freeze a fish for the taxidermist you should wet a large towel, wring it out, and then proceed to wrap the fish up in it, smooth down the fins, keeping them tucked close to the body. The tail fin should lay smooth and flat. Wrap the entire towel covered fish in a plastic bag and tape closed, getting as much air out of the bag as possible. Lay it flat on the freezer shelf and let it freeze. This method will keep fish for a very long time in the freezer with out succumbing to freezer burn allowing you to find a reputable taxidermist to preserve the memory.