Fish mounts offered at sport shop

MANAWA – Little Wolf River Outfitters located in downtown Manawa has recently started offering the service of fish taxidermy for customers. Rick Zemple, owner of Little Wolf River Outfitters, started offering the services last fall; however, the service is still somewhat new to the shop.
Zemple said he learned about taxidermy in high school when he worked for his uncle’s taxidermy service. There are two separate types of taxidermy service that he is offering, that is skin mount and replica mounts.
The skin mount uses the fish skin. The flesh of the fish is removed and is replaced with a foam body. A replica mount allows for anglers to release the trophy fish they catch and if they take the measurements, length and circumference, as well as a picture of the of the fish, Zemple can buy a matching-sized replica and paint it according to the picture.
Zemple said he is able to do both types of taxidermy for fish and the cost will vary.
The cost of a skin mount is $10 per inch, while the replica can vary on price. It is a case-by-case basis. He estimates the cost to be around $20 per inch.

Another service he is offering is repairing and restoring mounted fish that have been damaged. The cost for this is also on a case to case basis.
This is just one of many of the things Zemple is doing through his shop since opening April 2024. He has also created various programs for youth to learn how to fish and able to compete for prizes.
He said he will be holding the same fishing contest he held last year, which challenges kids to catch all 12 species of fish found in the Little Wolf River.
These species include northern, walleye, small mouth bass, largemouth bass, rock bass, sheepshead, trout (brown or brook), crappie, any species of catfish, bullhead, bluegill or sunfish and perch.
Zemple said they just need to take a picture of the fish they caught and bring it in to log it, if they catch all 12 species they get a $50 gift card to use at Little Wolf River Outfitters, if they get at least ten they will receive a $20 gift card.
Zemple said he also gauging interest in hosting a fly fishing class this summer down by Lindsay Park, where an instructor would come in to teach kids, at least 12 and older, how to fly fish.
Zemple said he has three kids signed up so far, if you know of a child that is interested you can stop down to Little Wolf River Outfitters to sign up.
For more information on taxidermy or upcoming fishing events you can find Little Wolf River Outfitters is located in downtown Manawa. Email Zemple at lwriveroutfitters@gmail.com, call them at 920-596-2002 or find them on Facebook at Little Wolf River Outfitters.