Peggy Revell
The Fort Frances Museum has landed a big catch after Rainy River resident Lee Dillman donated a school of his hand-carved and hand-painted fish he’s created over the years.
Six completed fish have been donated so far, with an approximate value of $1,200, with possibly more to come.
Getting older was the practical reason why Dillman decided his creations needed a new home, but his children didn’t want them.
“I’ve got to put them somewhere,” he explained.
So Dillman decided that if they were donated to the museum, then everyone would have a chance to enjoy them.
While he’s been creating these fish for 20 years, Dillman came into the hobby via an accident of sorts.
“Originally I had no intention of doing this work,” he noted.
Years ago he had trophy fish he wanted mounted, so he had taken them to a taxidermist. But every time he came back, they hadn’t been done.
So the taxidermist asked him if he would help him out, Dillman explained, and from there he learned the trade.
“I just like doing it, I guess,” he said on why he’s continued with the hobby over the years.
Locals might already have seen his finished work in Mark’s Merky Waters Fish & Chips on Scott Street.
Each fish is created from a mixture of carving foam, drywall, Styrofoam, and other common items—including creating his own fish eyes out of marbles.
“It’s hard to find people who are skilled in this,” Dillman noted.
The museum’s display of the hand-carved fish will open Feb. 20.
While no date has been set yet, Dillman also plans to host demonstrations at the museum in early March so people can drop by, ask questions, and see how the fish are made.
