Sooner or latter most Trophy Trout Hunters hopefully face the dilemma of what to do with a serious fish. In April of 2011, I managed to land what was to become the LARGEST recorded Native Rainbow in the World certified on a Government Scale for 2011. ( See TTH 2011 Fishing Reports " Wheres The Magic coming From")

Now the problem! Which taxidermist should I choose? The Cheapest? The most Advertised? Go thru an Agent? Or to look further into the subject of who to provide that quality mount at an affordable price?

As Kootenay Lakes has been producing both monstrous Rainbows and Bull Trout the last few years I knew this was a good starting point. Friends of mine Tim and Oz Faries own and operate Shadow Mountain Outfitters. Not only is this one of North Americas premier Big Game guiding operations these people know how to fish. Google up Shadow Mountain Outfitters and check out their photo album. Tim's 25# Bull is probably the largest Bull most of us will ever see and Oz's 23# Gerrard would be welcome in anybody's boat. When I questioned Oz where they send fish of this caliber to be mounted her simple reply was Bill Leach.

Eugene and Cathy Tompkins are a retired couple living in Balfor who live to fish, on the wall of their home is a beautiful mount of a 25#plus Gerrard. Cathy just took her first 21# Gerrard and when I asked her where she was sending it to be mounted her response was " Same place as Eugenes 25# was mounted...... Bill Leach Taxidermy" .

After checking out several other outstanding mounts in the Kootenay Region the common thread was Bill Leach.

As Bonners Ferry,Id. is only a couple of hours drive from where I stay when I'm in Balfor I took a day to drop down and visit with Bill. After a brief 15 minutes I knew where my fish was going. World and Museum quality reproductions at affordable prices. My choice Fiberglass or Skin Mount and a guaranteed delivery time frame.

 Am I happy I made the choice of going to Bill to mount my fish of a life time?  All I can say is Bill had better be around when I'm ready to send out my next fish to mount!