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HOW AN ARTIST BECAME A TAXIDERMIST
I'm Brian Moore,
Owner of UpRiver Taxidermy.
Taxidermy is a calling for me.
I was fortunate enough to grow up in the mountains of Western North Carolina. I fished almost every day of my childhood, from catching trout to bow fishing for carp. I also hunted everything that was in season.
Once I discovered my talent for art, it was natural for wildlife to be the subject of most of my artwork.
Once I understood how to combine my love of fishing, hunting, and art, my purpose was clear. Now, I have my own taxidermy shop. Check out my work or read more about my story below.
I created UpRiver Taxidermy in 2020 to
bring the art of taxidermy to hunters and fishermen
in Western North Carolina and across the globe.
my story
It all began with a bass...
When I was 12, I caught an 8+ pound bass in the stream behind our house. But my dad convinced me to turn the fish back into the lake to finish her spawn. After taking the necessary measurements, my dad had a replica created.
I realized how art, fishing, and hunting could work together.
A few months later, I came home from school and there it was... MY FISH WAS DONE! I couldn't believe the detail. It was exactly like the one I turned back, right down to the unique spot on its tail. Seeing the beauty and detail in this fish, I wanted to meet the man that made it and learn more.
I met Bill Fuchs and his wife, Linda, and I toured the Wilderness Taxidermy museum for the first time. I didn't understand the scope of how meeting them would change my life.
But at that moment...that it was it, folks! At the age of 12, I knew that I was going to be a taxidermist.
UpRiver Taxidermy
Once I realized taxidermy was my calling, I took over my parents' basement. I learned everything I could about taxidermy. I bought fish replicas and mount kits, learning more with each new project.
I started with fish taxidermy. I took them to Bill and Linda Fuchs for feedback. As a fish art and taxidermy judge, Bill would quickly point out my mistakes and help me get better with each one.
I also went to other taxidermists for their critiques, such as Lynn Ward of Ward's Taxidermy. He encouraged me to learn shoulder mounts if I was serious about my own taxidermy shop. I took his advice and started work on other game mounts as well.
Eventually, Bill asked me to help him at Wilderness Taxidermy. Of course, I jumped at the opportunity. He was the one who inspired me in the first place. To work with someone so well versed in fish taxidermy, exotics, and all kinds of game - well, it was a dream come true.
The experience that I gained working with Bill and Linda gave me insight into mounts that I might not have seen for years in my own business.
I'm grateful for the experience of working with the Fuchs, Lynn Ward, and others along the way.
mission
My mission is to provide the best taxidermy services possible to you. I want you to be as excited with your mount as I was when I saw my first fish!
Today, my services include Fish Taxidermy, North American Game, Exotic Mounts, Trophy Restoration, and First Mounts for Kids.
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