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fish replica by Ron Kelly A+
#6289679
06/13/11 02:45 AM
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 26,226
patriot07
OP
TFF Guru
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OP
TFF Guru
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 26,226 |
Just wanted to share my experience with yall. My dad caught a 10-5 earlier in February and I hired Ron Kelly to do a replica for his Father's day present. I think it turned out pretty awesome, and I just wanted to give Ron some props for the job he did. I have a replica my own personal best on the wall at home, and comparing the two is really eye-opening. The small touches that Ron put on really set this fish above and beyond my expectations. The size and shape of the fish's body are dead-on, and the fins are the size, color and shape exactly of the original. The inside of the mouth actually looks like the mouth of a largemouth (my pb is just flat white fiberglass inside). Anyway, I could go on for awhile, but the point is that I think he does a fantastic job. Here's a picture:
Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards. - Soren Kierkegaard
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Re: fish replica by Ron Kelly A+
[Re: patriot07]
#6289953
06/13/11 03:42 AM
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 86
Jwatson
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 86 |
Looks good if you don't mind my asking what does a mount like that cost I want to get one done once I catch my first DD.
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Re: fish replica by Ron Kelly A+
[Re: Jwatson]
#6289976
06/13/11 03:47 AM
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,439
Kens3313
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,439 |
Looks very nice. Most replicas I have seen dont look this real. I caught a 10-5 a few years ago at Fork. Mine was 23 7/8" long. I was just courious to what the measurements on this one is. They look about the same size. I didnt get the girth on mine Wish I would have. One day I would like to get a replica.
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Re: fish replica by Ron Kelly A+
[Re: Kens3313]
#6290047
06/13/11 04:04 AM
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 26,226
patriot07
OP
TFF Guru
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OP
TFF Guru
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 26,226 |
JWatson, mine was $300. I think it varies based on size/length/etc. I called Lake Fork Taxidermy and it was going to be about $350. I got some pictures from LF Taxi and I think they would have done a great job too, but I'd heard great things about Ron (he's won lots of taxidermy awards) and he was 45 minutes closer to my house and $50 less, so that's why I went with him.
Ken, we didn't get many measurements on it either. It was right at 24" and we didn't get a girth measurement. I just gave Ron a couple of pictures and he made it look identical to those. I wanted to get some measurements, but dad would've known I was wanting them for a replica if I'd asked any more about it. I took a gamble that pictures would be good enough and I was right.
Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards. - Soren Kierkegaard
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Re: fish replica by Ron Kelly A+
[Re: patriot07]
#6290116
06/13/11 04:29 AM
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,439
Kens3313
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,439 |
Thats not bad. I was so excited when I caught that bass and pissed it liked 1/8 a inch of not being in the slot. Was during a tournament and had to release it.
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Re: fish replica by Ron Kelly A+
[Re: Kens3313]
#6292023
06/13/11 08:11 PM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 14,688
Happykamper
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 14,688 |
Ron did a couple of 20 pound peacocks for me, outstanding work, he is doing two grizzly bears for a buddy and I right now.
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Re: fish replica by Ron Kelly A+
[Re: Happykamper]
#6292182
06/13/11 08:59 PM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,417
James_C
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,417 |
great fish, and great looking replica.
James C.
"You can't blame the worm fer not wantin to go fishin"
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Re: fish replica by Ron Kelly A+
[Re: James_C]
#6292515
06/13/11 10:15 PM
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 13,736
Cameron
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 13,736 |
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Re: fish replica by Ron Kelly A+
[Re: Cameron]
#6292598
06/13/11 10:43 PM
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 26,226
patriot07
OP
TFF Guru
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OP
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 26,226 |
I hadn't heard anything negative about him. Sounds like others have had issues, but that post was 4 years ago so I have no idea what was going on then. I saved $50 and a bunch of gas money and got an awesome mount, so I can't complain.
Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards. - Soren Kierkegaard
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Re: fish replica by Ron Kelly A+
[Re: patriot07]
#6292659
06/13/11 11:05 PM
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 84
bass n cat
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 84 |
not being aware of his past and the problems, I used him in the fall of '08 he delivered my sons Falcon 11# replica as promised. I think it looks awesome, matched the color of the fish spot on. And I'm pretty picky
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Re: fish replica by Ron Kelly A+
[Re: patriot07]
#6292670
06/13/11 11:07 PM
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3,337
Ken Starling
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3,337 |
plus 1 a few years back Ron had some issues like we all do in our lives from time to time. But he is back and is trying to get life back straight. he done my sons and I will let him do another if we ever need it. I hadn't heard anything negative about him. Sounds like others have had issues, but that post was 4 years ago so I have no idea what was going on then. I saved $50 and a bunch of gas money and got an awesome mount, so I can't complain.
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Re: fish replica by Ron Kelly A+
[Re: Ken Starling]
#6292989
06/14/11 12:53 AM
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,906
JPost
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,906 |
Very nice. Was she bruised-up from the spawn?
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Re: fish replica by Ron Kelly A+
[Re: JPost]
#6293037
06/14/11 01:12 AM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 14,688
Happykamper
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 14,688 |
I had heard that Ron had a few issues awhile back, I also had heard that he was the best, I went ahead and gambled as an earlier poster stated, I could not be happier with the two peacock bass setting that he did for me, I also checked out some of his big game taxidermy, the man has some great skills, when I get my grizzly back I will post some pictures of the work he has done for me.
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Re: fish replica by Ron Kelly A+
[Re: JPost]
#6293069
06/14/11 01:23 AM
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 26,226
patriot07
OP
TFF Guru
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OP
TFF Guru
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 26,226 |
Very nice. Was she bruised-up from the spawn? It was an early pre-spawn fish in February, so she was a very good looking fish.
Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards. - Soren Kierkegaard
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Re: fish replica by Ron Kelly A+
[Re: patriot07]
#6293723
06/14/11 05:47 AM
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 208
CU-201
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 208 |
Ron did a 6 pound Smallmouth, repainted and repaired 6.1 Spot, a 9.4 largemouth, a 10 lb. 12 oz. skin mount and is currently doing a 11 lb. 14 oz. largemouth. He has done an awesome job on all my fish. There is NO detail he has left off. His fish aren't your typical "cookie cutter" fish. My Alan Henry bass looks different than my Ivie bass. Ron is one of the founders of making replicas. Josh, his son works with Ron and does great work. Just remember, with any taxidermist, don't rush them. If you rush them, then you may be able to tell it by the work they do.
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