Most carvings are from cypress wood, chosen for its beautiful wood grain and local availability. Other favored woods are basswood, tupelo gum, cedar, mahogany and juniper.

Initial wood removal begins with a chain saw or band saw, depending on the size of the project. After creating the basic fish shape, further shaping is done with various hand-held rotary power equipment such as angle grinder, die grinder and a flex shaft machine. The various grinders use carbide cutters, carbide burrs, discs with chain saw teeth, abrasive stones, sanding accessories, etc.

After shaping, many hours of sanding are required using both hand and power sanding. Some of this equipment is shown in the photo below. Here, the flex shaft machine is being used to texture the fins. The one-fifth horsepower hanging motor is shown at the top of the picture. Glass eyes are also inserted using a special bit in the flex shaft machine. Some species of fish are further detailed using the wood burner.

This photo shows the wood burner being used to apply scales and sign the work. The wood burner is also used to texture the hair-like features of bird feathers, and much other fine detail work.

The fish are colored with transparent oil-based stains in an attempt to duplicate the realistic colors of the fish while, at the same time, revealing the natural beauties of the wood. Furniture grade lacquer is applied to provide a lasting protective finish.

This 24 inch red snapper is fully three dimensional with scale detail and glass eyes. Note the wood grain showing through the transparent stain. The fish is carved and finished on both sides and is made to hang directly on the wall.

The crappie pictured below is mounted on manzanita root for tabletop display. The crappie is 11 inches long, and the minnow is three inches. Even the minnow has tiny scale detail applied with the tip of the wood burner blade, one scale at a time.