Northern Pike (or Musky) not sure which way to go yet.

[AlArchie]

I've been working on this fish for a while and finally got around to shaping the body, head, caudil fin, etc. Also started burning the scales. BUT, I dropped my burner and of course, it landed on the tip. I think I have it re-formed, but may have to make a new one if it doesn't conform to the first row od scales.

There have been several inquiries about how I do scales, so this is a good place to start. From the photos you can see the guide line I drew for the first row. I'll work both forward and back to complete the scaling. This system allows a pretty uniform application of the scales. Also the vanes on the pectoral and pelvic fins were burned in....carving them broke two of the finns and I had to make new ones, so the burns put less pressure on the thin fins. The dorsal, anal and caudal fins were cut using a small V tool.

The fish is shown mounted on a fixture I made up for painting, after the rough work is completed. It's 16" long.
The fins are just in temporarily and will be removed before finishing the scaling. They will also be filled in around the insertion points with a wood filler. that will smooth out the musculature around the fin joint.

I'll post a pic of the burner I use for scales in another post...only take so many jpg's on a post.

Al

Al

[SlowMover]

A good looking fish thus far, please continue to post pics as you progress.

[btree50]

Very nice work Al. Wish I could do as well as you have!
JimB

[AlArchie]

Slowmover, thanks, and I'll keep posting as this progresses, but I seem to be only able to work a couple hours at a time.....ADD maybe? hehehe. Anyway the scaling just about drives me bonkers and the old eyes get tired after only a short session with those semi circular burns.

Al

[AlArchie]

Thanks for looking,Jimb. You might just give it a try...might be surprised how well you can do. Gotta make some firewood before things look like something, though.

Al

[toycarver]

Your fish has a nice look to it at this point. Looking forward to seeing him finished.

[Hoogster]

Al,
Nice so far. The job of scaling is so tedious. Hopefully something
can motivate you to get them done in a short timeframe.

Keep those pics coming.
Bill

[AlArchie]

Here's the update on about 2 hours of scaling......very slow work and as you can see there are several "missteps" in the burns. These are due to the differences in circumference as the scaling progresses down the lenght of the fish, and errors inplacement as small as two or three thousandths ". Even small differnces like 1/8" in the circhumference require making some small adjustments in the placement of the scale ends and eventually they have to be "gapped. I try to make most of these adjustments on the bell where they are not noticable but these durn things seem to have a mind of their own about where they want to show up.

Anyway, when the paint is finally applied, most of these little blurbs will disappear.

The view from the top also shows a little better, the form of the fish. The first set of side views sort of forshortened the appearance.

Al

[Bill V]

Al,
Look's good! Will be waiting to see the finish piece.

Bill V

[Merle Rice]

Hi Al, That's going to be one fine looking Fish when you get it done. Thanks for showing your progress. Merle