Gray Taxidermy June 2013 Newsletter

Region of the Month - Hawaii

Hawaii – what a paradise! When you think about Hawaii, several things come to mind – the beach, beautiful girls in hula skirts and leis, pineapples, surfing, volcanoes, and FISHING. This month’s lucky Captain from this region is Captain Kevin Nakamaru. Thanks to HOPKINS-CARTER Marine Supplies and Fishing Tackle, Captain Kevin is awarded (2) Battel BTL 8000, Penn reels. Way to go Captain Kevin!

Good luck Captains!

Hawaii is made up of several islands that have their own distinct feel. The Big Island of Hawaii features more coastline than any of the other main Hawaiian islands. On the west side, the Kona district presents the prime fishing grounds frequented by charters departing from Honokohau Harbor. Kona boasts more Pacific Blue Marlin weighing more than 1,000 lbs. than any other fishing destination in the world.

Kauai's geographical landscape is dramatic featuring an absolutely grand mountain range along with velvet green cliffs with a series of waterfalls and sea caves-so breathtaking that any verbal description doesn't give it justice. Maui has soft sandy beaches, sparkling blue waters, the classic place to surf, along with the largest dormant volcano in the world. Head east and take a ride on Maui's Hana Highway. This curvaceous stretch is lined with black sand beaches, lush greenery and towering waterfalls. Molokai is more untouched, the unscaved. Molokai is ideal if you're looking for the unexplored, even the obscure. This rural and peaceful place prides itself on having absolutely no malls, traffic or neon lights. It's main city, Kaunakakai, stretches across three blocks.

Oahu is sometimes called “The Gathering Place.” The third largest Hawaiian island is home to the majority of Hawaii’s diverse population, a fusion of east and west cultures rooted in the values and traditions of the Native Hawaiian people. Oahu has quite an interesting contrast between ancient and contemporary lifestyles. Most people living on Lanai are descended from plantation workers who first came here when the “Pineapple Island” was the world’s largest pineapple exporter. Lanai has beautiful resorts, high-caliber golf courses, 4-wheel driving, hiking, snorkeling, beaches and pineapple groves, but remains away from the crowds and tranquil. Amongst all the islands, there is no shortage of great sport-fishing. Some of the highly-sought species include Ahi (Tuna,) Ono (Wahoo,) Mahi Mahi (Dolphin) and Swordfish, as well as the Striped Marlin, Black Marlin, Blue Marlin, Pacific Sailfish and Short-bill Spearfish.

Captain of the Month - Captain Carlos Cota Higuera

The lucky order pulled from all entries last month involves a customer from Canada, A Black Marlin and the Captain... Captain Carlos Cota Higuera. Time to meet the Captain! Carlos Cota was born in Santo Domingo, Ciudad Constitucion BCS. Carlos came to Los Cabos at 18 years old alone and was in search of work. His first job was on a sport fishing boat in the Palmilla area 25 years ago. Most of his life, he has been a Panga boat captain. He work for over 20 years for the JIG STOP. The former owner of the Jig Stop caught his first big trophy fish with Carlos, a Black Marlin over 800 pounds. Carlos is currently working on the boat “Viviana I,” a 23-foot Super Panga.

Some of Carlos’s favorite accomplishments: Eight years ago in his Panga boat, Carlos caught a 224-pound Yellowfin Tuna. The customers fought the fish for more than four hours before getting it to the boat! One of his greatest satisfactions has been catching over 30 Blue Marlin in one month and over 20 Striped Marlin in one week. His secret weapon to get people to mount their trophies is based on attitude and service. Carlos tries to always smile at his customers and remember his philosophy that each fish is special to his customer.

Carlos always makes it known to them that he can provide the services of Gray Taxidermy for the mounting of their fish. Thank-you REACTOR Watch company for sponsoring this program for Gray Taxidermy Captains around the world! Our hats are off to you Carlos! We know how hard you work and we want you to know how much we appreciate you! Congratulations from the entire team!!

The determination of Captain of the month comes from a random drawing. Each month, every order placed with Gray Taxidermy is entered in a drawing. At the end of the month, one name is randomly pulled from all entries. Along with the new watch, the captain will also be awarded a Trophy plaque with an engraved plate from Gray Taxidermy. The more orders turned in, the better your chances.

Mate of the Month - Ryan Greiner

A customer from France caught and mounted a sailfish off the “Boomerang” in south Florida last month, that happened to be the lucky pull for Mate of the Month. Congratulations to Mate Ryan Greiner! Ryan was surprised and excited to hear he won the Costa Del Mar, Tuna Alley Blue mirror sunglasses for June. He was nice enough to write up a letter of gratitude… ”I would like to start by saying Thank-you to Gray’s. We all appreciate the working relationship that we have there.

I’ve been fortunate enough to have fished in a lot of different places since I was a kid. I have had so many interesting things happen along with great experiences that I am truly thankful for. Growing up, I have been surrounded by a number of great captains and mates. I must say, the most influential Captain has been none other than my father, Dick Greiner. He is, according to many people, one of the best in mounting fish. I’ve learned, as well as many others, a lot from him, and together we have mounted many fish because of his knowledge.”

We appreciate you guys on the water! Hearing stories of generations working together is truly priceless. You ROCK Ryan! A special thanks to your dad for passing on the knowledge!!!! Keep up the good work!

The determination of Mate of the Month comes from a random drawing of all orders turned in during the previous month’s time.

Featured Fish of the Month – Mahi-Mahi, Dorado

Out of 86 different species of fish mounts turned in last month - 1 was pulled. The Dolphin. From the 122 orders for dolphins turned in last month, 1 lucky order was pulled to come up with the winner of the Featured Fish of the Month. Congratulations to Mate Manuel Rosado on the “Predator” from Cancun, Mexico.

Thanks to Costa Del Mar, Manuel is the proud new owner of a pair of Tuna Alley, Blue Mirror sunglasses. Wow! Another Canadian customer gettin - it-done in Mexico!!! Way to go Manuel Rosado! Now, a little bit about our featured fish... The dolphin fish has bright green, turquoise and yellow patterns, which fade almost immediately upon death. The common English name of dolphin causes much confusion. This fish is not related to the marine mammals also known as Dolphins.

Additionally, two species of dolphin-fish exist, the common dolphin-fish and the Pompano Dolphin. Both these species are also commonly marketed by their Pacific name, Mahi-Mahi. Mahi can live up to 5 years (although they seldom exceed four). Catches average 15 to 29 lbs, they seldom exceed 33 lbs and Mahi-Mahi over 40 lbs are exceptional. Mahi-Mahi are among the fastest-growing fish. They spawn in warm ocean currents throughout much of the year, and their young are commonly found in seaweed.

Gray Taxidermy Fish of the month Mahi-mahi are carnivorous, feeding on flying fish, crabs, squid, mackerel, and other forage fish. They have also been known to eat zooplankton and crustaceans. Mahi-mahi have compressed bodies and long dorsal fins extending nearly the entire length of their bodies. Their caudal fins and anal fins are sharply concave. They are distinguished by dazzling colors: golden on the sides, and bright blues and greens on the sides and back which make them a favorite trophy mount amongst fishermen. Mature males have prominent protruding foreheads. Females have a rounded head and are also usually smaller than males.

We can help

We recently had a call from a captain during the night; he was upset, frustrated, angry and was looking for help. His problem was his mate of several years was not willing to mount fish. In many markets, mounting fish is an important part of simple survival as well as this captain wanted his clients offered this service. Frustrated with a big investment of time and money, his choices were fire the mate and start over or teach him and prosper. He reached out to us like so many others have for help...

“Can we come in and work with your team, take a tour of the facility as well as get some tips and hands on training?” We, of course, said “Come on in”! He and his mate came in, received a full tour of the facility, learned the mounting process, and then worked directly with one of our training instructors. When they left they had a weekly goal with a new direction and they themselves had a better plan towards mounting fish as a team. In the first 3 days after our meeting, they mounted 2 fish, developed their own system and are as fired up as it gets!

We are currently giving approximately 40 tours a week. 90% are customers being sent in by the captains to learn about the product and 10% are captains and crews looking for help, tips and training. Our offer stands - come on in or call and get help! We are here to help - We promise!! Have Gray Taxidermy enhance your business by adding our model to your business. Your customers want to mount their catch!

Who we are

On a recent business trip, we had the chance to see clearly “who we are.” There is lots of business that have a multi-faceted business model. Companies that have many product lines cover different markets - Not Us! Gray Taxidermy does one thing mounted trophy fish. Gray Taxidermy works directly with the charter fishing industry only... and we proudly do so.

Often times we see tournaments, corporate trips and vacationers that lose sight of the guys who make these great experiences in life possible. At Gray Taxidermy we NEVER lose sight of the sun baked, the tired and the great guys who make this possible. Charter Boat captains and mates are the back bone of this industry and without you we would not be able to do what we do. We salute the guys and gals who work, often times thanklessly, day in and day out to create the memories that people world-wide seek. We salute those who do it every day!

We will continue to work diligently to support you in your daily work with programs, tackle, sunglasses and all your needs to continue your success as the leaders in the fishing industry. Gray Taxidermy... Together we are fishing!

Testimonials from Gray Taxidermy Clients, what they are saying?

I just wanted to let you all know that the sail fish arrived safe and sound and is now hanging proudly on my office wall. A lot of people, some of whom I have never met before, are stopping by just to take a look. (It seems having a seven-and-a-half foot-long fish hanging in your office is a rarity in New York City.) I just wanted to thank you all.

Craig and Calvin, thank you for working with me on the color. I really love it. And, Alexis, thank you for helping me change the shipping address to my office - there is no way that the box would have fit in my apartment building's elevator!

I hope you guys have a great weekend!

Best, Katherine

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