Accurate eye alignment is one of the most important parts of the fish which will be viewed, so work slowly to get it right. Judges will look to see that the head and eyes are symetrical and in line. The method I use to locate the eye opposite, is to use a clear transparent overhead sheet and permanent pen, to trace the location of the eye and other details on the front side of the head. Then I flip it over to the back side and using a pencil under the sheet, draw in the eye location . I use this method to locate other head details also. Note that this is done when the head has been roughly carved to shape.

Once the mouth is finished etc., refine the exact location of the eye opposite by using a straight edge 6 inch ruler. While looking straight down on the top of the fish, hold the ruler at right angles to the centre-line of the fish and line up with the centre of the front eye. Then mark a line down the far side of the fish, keeping in line with the ruler. Now looking straight on to the front of the fish, do the same thing, drawing a line on the far side in line with the ruler. Where the two lines intersect is the correct location of the far eye. Final adjustment can be made once the near eye is permantently positioned, by setting the far eye in it's hole and lining up again with the ruler. You may have to re-grind the hole for final alignment. I also check again once both eyes are permently set. If they are not correct, be prepared to remove an eye and re-set.

If the centerline disappears in certain areas, re-establish it. Don't cut out the eyes until the head detail is almost finished. I will usually just drill a 1/16" hole where the centre of the eye should be, but usually it will change as the carving progresses. Same with mouth details, keep checking with the ruler, viewing from the front.

You can also use a flexible ruler or piece of paper to wrap around the top of the fish to measure from eye to centerline, then using that measurement to locate the far eye, however it is not a fool proof method as the curvature of the head may be different and it will affect the proper location.

When the judges are looking at the eyes on your finished carving, they are not taking any measurements. They are visually checking the alignment in relation to the centerline of the fish.