Our Studio Today - In Hazelridge, Manitoba.
IN THE BEGINNING…
The year… “1967”
With love already in the air…it would turn out to be
an exceptionally joyous year for Larry Steingart. Along with
his new bride Lynn, they were not only joined in matrimony
that year, but it was also the beginning of a different chapter
in their lives…the dawn of “Mr. Fish Taxidermy”.
 By
this time Larry, who resided in Winnipeg, Manitoba, had already
been dabbling in taxidermy out of his home for a while, but
just as a hobby, and in his spare time. Now with more responsibilities,
there was a need to step things up a notch.
While working full time at his day job, Larry spent his evenings
working tirelessly in their basement, perfecting the craft
for which he would become known. Having an eye for detail
and the ability to produce outstanding quality, word of his
work spread quickly. Anyone entering the basement of their
home was treated to a new and exciting world. Almost the entire
basement was overrun with various fish species, deer, birds,
and the occasional life-size mount.
Things would get even busier as the family grew with the
additions of Apryl and Laura. While Lynn, and later their
two daughters, performed their preferred tasks, it was quite
common to see Larry work into the wee hours of the night at
times, just so others could enjoy Christmas. With a growing
family, it was realized that space was becoming an issue,
and a plan was put in place. With the help of family and friends
the garage was transformed into a wildlife studio, complete
with a show room, spray booth and plenty of work space . This
would turn out to not only be the perfect location for the
expansion, but a turning point for the business. The “fish-mobile”
as it was referred, would just have to stay outside.
Now, by this time there was more than enough work for the
four of them, still operating on a part time basis. The assistance
of other local taxidermists would have to be called upon once
in a while to lend a helping hand. And after the evenings`
work was done, Larry could be found tweaking this, or adjusting
that. It had to be just so. Though Lynn was more involved,
what with all the paper work, and working on fish, etc., the
girls eventually found other preferred things to occupy their
time.
 It
would be in the early 80`s when my first meeting with Larry
& Lynn occurred. The business was still in the basement
of their home at the time.
 I
was a budding taxidermist myself, living in the small community
of Winkler, Manitoba. I was looking for someone who would
paint a few fish for me, as I had no experience with painting
at the time. I drove in to Winnipeg and wound my way to the
location of the famous “fish” guy. At the time
it did not occur to me what their actual names might be, so
when Lynn answered the door, I asked her if she was Mrs. Fish?
I was kindly escorted into the basement where Larry was busy
at work. Larry asked if I had time to wait while he painted
the fish for me. Seeing as I drove all that way for a few
fish, he thought it would save me a trip later on. I was impressed,
and after he painted the fish, we said our goodbyes.
It wasn`t until a few years after I moved into Winnipeg in
1988, to pursue a full time career in taxidermy, when I would
again meet up with Larry. Working full time in the taxidermy
trade on a commercial level, doing work at home for personal
clients, somehow I managed to give Larry a hand as well. Needless
to say, it would later prove to be a life changing choice.
I ended up leaving my full time employer after much debate,
and joined forces with Mr. Fish. A decision, which at the
time was a difficult one, but one that I would not regret.
  It
wasn`t until a few years into our working relationship, Larry
and Lynn made a tough decision to sell Mr. Fish Taxidermy.
Their plan was to move to their cottage at the lake, and enjoy
the good life. An opportunity was present for me to continue
doing what I truly love to do. After a few sleepless nights,
and discussions with Larry and Lynn as to the present and
future growth of the company, a decision was made. A new and
larger facility was necessary. It just so happened that Apryl`s
computer skills would once again come in handy. Apryl found
what is now our present location, just 20 minutes from Winnipeg,
in Hazelridge, Manitoba. My hope at the time of relocation
and transition, was that I would be able to further contribute
to the quality that already existed at Mr. Fish. Through a
unified effort, we still maintain the same top quality work
on which the Mr. Fish name was built.
 
Give us a call, or stop by and see us.
“Years from now you`ll be glad
you knew Mr. Fish”
Yours in conservation,
Mr. Fish Taxidermy
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