Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Timo on February 23, 2009, 10:19:56 pm
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Done a few of these over the years and figured some of you might want to see what they looked like. Similar to sturgeon only not much pattern.Very close to flathead catfish,but mostly grey/white. I used to catch several of these fish, but now I just rely on the locals to bring me a few every spring season.
The skins are very good for holding a bow together like rawhide, but give a bow a very primitive look, and they all turn out different.Just finished this lil bow up for myself,it was riddled with back checks,so I opted for these. It'll hold her.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v86/Timotoad/bow%20build%2009/009.jpg)
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Nice, not a bad lookin skin. I know JD would be proud of that handle wrap. ;D
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Ah Yes ....the Dreaded Spoonbill Catfish....I have caught a bunch of them in The Nations in Oklahoma at Lake Eufaula....I never even thought about keeping the Hides for a Bow Backing....seeing as how greasy the Fish are....but I have eaten tons of Caviar from them....and the Steaks are pretty good ....if cooked right.....I Will have to head back to McAlester and try my luck snagging a few this Spring!!
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fine looking bows ;D keep it up
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Dat look nice.I do one of them. Frank
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That looks nice, maybe I need to start saving up skins when I filet the bluegills and sunfish I catch ice fishing. It would be like a patchwork fish quilt. lol
VB
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That looks good, Tim. I like seeing ideas for different backings,very cool.
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Hillbilly, I plan on getting several more of these skins this spring.I'll save ya a pair ifin youd like to try it?
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Hillbilly, I plan on getting several more of these skins this spring.I'll save ya a pair ifin youd like to try it?
Twist my arm! ;D ;D Sounds good, Tim, thanks.
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Timo: could tell us the prep of these skins from stringer to bow?
I've never used fish, only rawhide or snake.
Do you dry the skins?
Do raccoons follow you around the woods when hunting that bow?
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Just last week I was searching for your post about carp,& was wondering about paddlefish & gar.
Very nice.
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I've tried many kinds of fish skins,and treat them all the same.
Scaled fish(carp, etc) must be scaled before you skin them.
Scrape/flesh skins very well,being sure to remove all oil pockets.I scrape with a fine serrated butter knife,kinda works like a tootheing plane.
Scrub skins with a stiff brush and in dawn dish soap,rinse well,wash again,rinse well.
Keep both sides of the fish together,cause colors/patterns vary between fish. measure and freeze,being sure to label them.
I've found that fresh skins lay down alot better than dried skins.
If you have to dry them, lay them out flat on a slick board of such.I like cabinet shelving,(melamine) ?(sp), It's very slick and the skins,once dry will come off better.With the flesh side down,and tack them out,stretching as you go. Keep your tacks close and you'll get a better job.Keep a fan blowing air over them and they will dry perty quick.After dry pull tacks,trim edges,roll up and store in a freezer bag.No need to freeze them for they will keep. Apply them like rawhide.(I always thin mine on the belt sander before I apply dried skins.)
A note about grass carp skins if you are gonna dry them: Once tacked down take a dull putty knife and run it down the skins along the scales,(head to tail) It will lay the scale pattern in place.
If you apply raw skins,it takes alot of babysitting until they set well, so make sure you have plenty of time.
Some of you noodlers out there need to be sure and keep you flathead skins.Really cool stuff there boys,and tough as ground hog! :)
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Tim, I always loved seeing your skinned bows. 8) The carp is my favorite but the paddle fish looks cool too. A lot like halibut.