HISTORY OF TROPHY FISH CARVING
The Tradition Continues
Roger Brookes
Herefordshire, England

I came to woodcarving almost by chance when I was about thirty five. The first commission was to make a life size model of a salmon that had been caught on the River Wye some years before. I bought some timber locally to work Roger Brookes with and had been given one or two old photographs for reference. The finished piece was received very favourably and the whole process had been so absorbing and satisfying that it left me with a great desire to sculpt more wildlife subjects in wood.

Until I was six years old, I lived in Thurso in the far north of Scotland. Memories of that time include trips with my father, fishing for brown and sea trout; sitting by the lochside toasting marsh mallows over the fire; being allowed to land a fine fish, feeling its energy transmitted through rod and line, seeing the first flash of its form in the peaty water as it was brought to the net.

Now with a family of my own, I have chosen to put away rod and gun and find pleasure in recreating in wood those fish and birds that have inspired me since childhood to become a wildlife artist.

My finely detailed and intricately hand-carved sculptures represent the fish in its natural environment; giving full attention to the fluid forms essential to evoke the medium in which they live. Each is a unique piece of artistic expression, which captures the magic and beauty of life underwater.Wood, an organic material in itself, is ideal to recreate any living creature, allowing me to produce an exclusive work of art.

The tradition of carving wooden trophy fish began in the late 19th century around Fochabers, a Scottish village on the banks of the River Spey. Life size models of Salmon were carefully recreated by John Tully, and decorated at the studio founded by the artist John Bucknell Russell. As a continuation of that tradition, my work encompasses all species of fish.

Just like the carved fish of 100 years ago, I trust that my work serves to accurately record a unique and exhilarating angling experience and will endure both as a work of art and as a family heirloom.


Photographs courtesy Roger Brookes

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Brookes Carving
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Brookes Carvings
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Brookes Carvings
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Brookes Carvings
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Roger Brookes
Roger Brookes - Wildlife Artist and Maker of Trophy Fish Carvings
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Roger Brookes
Roger Brookes


How to Contact Roger Brookes

Roger Brookes
EMAIL: [email protected]
WEBSITE: fishcarvings.com


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