What Fish skins?

[stuckinthemud]

There's been some discussion on backing with sturgeon and wolf fish recently. I guess only certain types of fish can be used?  What should I look for? I believe some types, like eel, can be used as a structural element as an alternative to rawhide, but others are used more as decoration. What types work well, what should I look for/avoid.  I really want to know about species I might find in a fish mongers, for instance, can I use things like monkfish, Pollock or hake?

[Pappy]

Carp makes a good backing, and they get large, that is the only one I have used. Pappy

[Jon_W]

I have used walleye skins as accents for decoration. Finding a fish large enough is difficult though. From looking online I have really only seen carp and sturgeon skins used. I have two 30 inch chinook salmon skins in the freezer that I am waiting to use as a test, however those come from a big salmon that are not very common in most places. I look forward to other people's input into this tooo!

[Pat B]

I have a sinew backed Jay Massey bow that has halibut skin on it. It's not very decorative with it's flat gray color but adds water proofing and protects the sinew backing.
 I think any fish skin that is big enough could be used as a bow backing.

[stuckinthemud]

Had a chat with my nearest fishmonger, he's happy to let me have skins but reckons salmon are the largest fish he deals with. Would salmon work?

[aznboi3644]

I’ve been wanting to try catfish.  It’s strong as hell

[Pat B]

Stuck, any fish skin should work. The  decorative value varies with species but I think any would look cool. Salmon should work good. It is oily so be  sure to degrease before using. You can either freeze for storage for a short time or tack them out to dry.

[PlanB]

I've often wondered whether you could piece perch skins together for a non structural backing. Perch skins were also used as glue in some 2-wood bows, I believe

[Pat B]

Sure you could. Most fish skins are only decorative or moisture proofing.

[PlanB]

Thanks , Pat. Maybe even more interesting if you made glue from it, and also attached the perch skins with it. It's coming up ice fishing time shortly, perch season....

[Stickhead]

Gray triggerfish skin is a very good backing for adding strength to the back.  It’s not particularly decorative, and it requires overlapping several skins, but in my book, it’s nature’s fiberglass.

[GlisGlis]

I tanned a strip of salmon skin and it is tough stuff. would add protection and some strength
Not so stunning as it has shade of gray but being a little transparent I bet you can do some color work on the bow and apply the skin over it
If you go salmon skin try to find the right pressure/tool to take off the scales from the skin or you will ruin the pattern
look the "scar" I made in the left top  for using the knife too aggressively

[stuckinthemud]

How did you tan it?

[Eric Krewson]

The best looking fish skins I have seen on a bow were grass carp skins done by John Scifres

Here is a tutorial on his web page that he did on applying them.

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

[Pat B]

I wouldn't tan the fish skin but dry them or apply them green just like with snake skins.