I believe you wash the skins with Dawn dish soap to "degrease".

Like Tom said degrease with Dawn soap 2 or 3 times, let air dry like snake skin.  Grass carp is much better than german Carp for skins.  I have skinned two bows with carp and Keenan has one on the bowyers bench right now that was done with Grass Carp.

i have saw carp and they look great just really want a big Northern Pike. will be out on the ice after them soon and will be asking LOTS of questions if i get one big enough.

I have seen gar skinned bows at Mojam.  The skin is really tough and heavy because you won't get the scales off.  Gar would probably be heavy enough to affect bow performance but maybe not.  Other fish skins I have seen are very thin when dry Sturgeon being the exception.

Don't use trout!  I only say that cuz I'm an outfitter in MT for trout.  Plenty of dumb pike to go around, carp too.

Ken - Ice looks safe. I hope this is the year. I have been trying to get one at least 36" long now for 3 years. My Elm Bow has been waiting patiently.