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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Cyclic-Rivers on May 09, 2011, 02:32:00 PM

Title: Fish Skins
Post by: Cyclic-Rivers on May 09, 2011, 02:32:00 PM
Had a thought,

Has anyone skinned a bow with fish skins?

I have heard of people using carp but was thinking how cool a Pike or Musky would look.

Any pics of fish skinned bows?
Title: Re: Fish Skins
Post by: owlbait on May 09, 2011, 07:01:00 PM
I saw one with sturgeon skins once. Very cool. Onestringer could make you up some imitation ones that would look cool and be easy to install and remove.
Title: Re: Fish Skins
Post by: 2treks on May 09, 2011, 07:42:00 PM
I have some pike and musky in my freezer right now that I am waiting for the right bow to do. I don't think they will be long enough for a LONGbow but maybe an Ambush or kids bow. Or maybe a splice of some sort. Very cool skins. I also have some walleye.
Title: Re: Fish Skins
Post by: owlbait on May 09, 2011, 08:22:00 PM
Hey Chuck, Are those your early season bowfishing skins?
Title: Re: Fish Skins
Post by: TxAg on May 09, 2011, 08:27:00 PM
would love to see pics
Title: Re: Fish Skins
Post by: 4est trekker on May 09, 2011, 08:35:00 PM
I've seen them backed with halibut, carp, and catfish skins.  

Here's a nice example by Keenan over on the Bowyer's Bench:

http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=125;t=002592#000000

Here's another link with a few pictures, particularly one showing a spotted wolffish backing:

http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=125;t=003276#000000
Title: Re: Fish Skins
Post by: Todweelz on May 09, 2011, 08:47:00 PM
I've got a nice one I made with sturgeon skins, on a 66"  osage selfbow pretty cool looking, don't do well with posting pics but could e-mail you a couple. Todd
Title: Re: Fish Skins
Post by: John Scifres on May 09, 2011, 09:51:00 PM
Grass Carp on Osage  

(http://sticknstring.webs.com//photos/2010-Pictures/stcbcollage.jpg)
Title: Re: Fish Skins
Post by: fireball31 on May 09, 2011, 11:54:00 PM
That is too cool.
Title: Re: Fish Skins
Post by: MercilessMing on May 10, 2011, 06:28:00 AM
Those are cool looking skins...  Does anyone know where to get fish skins like that?
Title: Re: Fish Skins
Post by: ti-guy on May 10, 2011, 06:31:00 AM
Did' nt know that! Cool!
Title: Re: Fish Skins
Post by: YORNOC on May 10, 2011, 06:48:00 AM
I can get grass carp, just have to check sizing. I'll PM ya.
Title: Re: Fish Skins
Post by: PowDuck on May 10, 2011, 08:12:00 AM
In 4est trekker's links was this link of a "skinalong"

http://sticknstring.webs.com/carpskinningabow.htm

Pretty cool look. Wonder what they smell like when they get wet?
Title: Re: Fish Skins
Post by: ArkyBob on May 10, 2011, 08:26:00 AM
PowDuck,  Chicken?

  :bigsmyl:  

BOB
Title: Re: Fish Skins
Post by: John Scifres on May 10, 2011, 10:02:00 AM
That's me.  Yes they stink  :)

You get grass carp in places where grass carp live.  Or you have a good friend who gets them for you  :)
Title: Re: Fish Skins
Post by: MercilessMing on May 10, 2011, 10:09:00 AM
John, does the grass carp skin still smell after it is dried on bow?
Title: Re: Fish Skins
Post by: John Scifres on May 10, 2011, 11:20:00 AM
No as long as it is sealed from moisture.  They really don't stink that bad if washed properly.
Title: Re: Fish Skins
Post by: sawtoothscream on May 10, 2011, 12:22:00 PM
those looks so cool.
Title: Re: Fish Skins
Post by: Ray Hammond on May 10, 2011, 01:07:00 PM
the prettiest bow I've ever seen had sturgeon skins
Title: Re: Fish Skins
Post by: Zbone on May 10, 2011, 06:13:00 PM
John - That is pretty cool, is the skin pretty much transparent and the osage gave it that contrast?

Thanx

Thanx
Title: Re: Fish Skins
Post by: Warden609 on May 10, 2011, 06:27:00 PM
Cool stuff  :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Fish Skins
Post by: zwickeyman on May 10, 2011, 07:22:00 PM
I'm with Ray, Sturgeon is awesome looking. It's even cooler than Snake.
Title: Re: Fish Skins
Post by: John Scifres on May 10, 2011, 08:18:00 PM
They aren't transparent but they do let the color through a lot.  

I agree about the sturgeon skins. They are incredible.
Title: Re: Fish Skins
Post by: Mike Vines on May 10, 2011, 09:52:00 PM
I was wondering about the smell too.  I guess as long as it's sealed, it should be fine.
Title: Re: Fish Skins
Post by: Zbone on May 10, 2011, 10:58:00 PM
Okay, so I catch this carp, scale it, then skin it, scrape as much flesh, fat, grease etc., from the inside of the skin, now what??? Scrub it in Dawn dish soap and allow it to dry??? What's next?

BTW, anyone ever glue on to a fiberglass laminated bow?


Thanx
Title: Re: Fish Skins
Post by: Ray Hammond on May 11, 2011, 04:09:00 AM
John that grass carp is awfully nice!!!
Title: Re: Fish Skins
Post by: 2treks on May 11, 2011, 07:32:00 AM
That sounds about right Zbone.
I might get my bigger skins out and put them on a glass bow just to see how it looks. Should be the same method as for a wood bow.
RAY, I agree, I saw a bow that I think Tim Ott did in a magazine and it was sweet looking. I think it may be the best looking cover for a bow.(hows that for a bold statement?)
Title: Re: Fish Skins
Post by: Jack Skinner on May 11, 2011, 09:22:00 AM
I think it was a John Strunk sturgeon backed selfbow that was one of the most beautiful bows I have ever seen. I really like the carp. All we have is common or mirror. If spring will ever get here I am going to swack a few and back one of my selbows with fish.
Title: Re: Fish Skins
Post by: adkmountainken on May 11, 2011, 11:11:00 AM
does anyone have a pic of a Pike backed bow?
Title: Re: Fish Skins
Post by: Bowjunkie on May 11, 2011, 03:44:00 PM
Here's a little sturgeon and sinew backed osage recurve I made a few years ago...

 (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v312/Jeff_Durnell/osage%20recurve/SThandlefront.jpg)  

 (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v312/Jeff_Durnell/osage%20recurve/STname.jpg)

 (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v312/Jeff_Durnell/osage%20recurve/STbeaverback.jpg)

 (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v312/Jeff_Durnell/osage%20recurve/STstrung2.jpg)
Title: Re: Fish Skins
Post by: LimBender on May 11, 2011, 05:46:00 PM
Wow, lots of talent as usual.  Like the carp and sturgeon, and "surf and turf" is nice!

We have some big grass carp for weed control, may have to look into that.  Would be cool to kill the fish you skin your bow with.
Title: Re: Fish Skins
Post by: GregD on May 11, 2011, 09:19:00 PM
Wasn't there a guy on here all the time a few years ago that did a lot of work with carp skins?I think his name was Tim.
Title: Re: Fish Skins
Post by: John Scifres on May 11, 2011, 09:34:00 PM
Tim Ott, Timo was the guy who first did the grass carp as far as I know.  He gave me the skins from the bow I posted earlier. I think there is a skinalong here or on PA where he shows how to do it.  You don't dry them, just put them on green.
Title: Re: Fish Skins
Post by: 2fletch on May 12, 2011, 09:52:00 AM
How about yellow carp? Some of the locals brought me some yellow carp this week and last week for my compost pile. I had the urge to skin out a couple of them but passed on it thinking that I would get another chance.

A couple of years ago I purchased some carp skin on ****. We tried it on the front panel of our Navajo bow quiver. It looked pretty good. No one ever guesses what it is. It's also a lot tougher then you would think.
Title: Re: Fish Skins
Post by: Zbone on May 15, 2011, 04:56:00 PM
Yeah, what about a plan old common carp? Anyone ever tried their skins?

Thanx
Title: Re: Fish Skins
Post by: Cyclic-Rivers on May 21, 2011, 07:00:00 PM
ttt
Title: Re: Fish Skins
Post by: Cyclic-Rivers on May 21, 2011, 07:03:00 PM
Looking for Pike, Muskellunge or anything unique.