Let me tell you a little bit of background on how this idea to create artificial fish habitat has developed, as well as where we see it going in the future. Installing and creating additional fish structure has been going on for many years. We simply feel we have come up with a better way.
Growing up in Northern Illinois, my dad started me fishing at a very young age. Although his father fished, he has never considered himself an avid fisherman. An Architect by trade, he was simply exposing his son to all kinds of new things, letting him decide what things in life he enjoyed most. At age 7 Jacques’ Cousteau was the man, saving the oceans and sea life, and there my passion lies, these 40+ years later.
Fast forward 20 years, I’m president and owner of a new General/Carpenter contracting business. A union carpenter for 6 years and I was on my own. Surely it would give me more time to fish right? Be your own boss they all say. Housing in our area exploded, followed by steady commercial growth. We enjoyed what Dad and I agree, was some of the best 15+ years to be a builder. It was here in the trades, I worked with the materials that would come to be fishiding. As the recession took hold, our workload diminished and it was time to find another way to pay the bills. (also, did I mention still be able to fish around the world, bow hunt 90 days/season,Turke…)
Throughout my years as a carpenter, everyone tossed vinyl siding scraps and leftovers in the trash. There was no value in it and recyclers didn’t accept it. All the used, old, discontinued and unused material was sent to the local landfill. As a builder, we had leftover material in every color, never enough for another job. Made us mad, taking up so much room in our expensive dumpsters. Then it hit me, this stuff would work great underwater and it’s keeping it out of the landfills. Algae will grow. Win-win right?
Next it was off to the professionals (and patent office), to see if it would be accepted into the industry as a safe product, and as widely used as we saw the potential. The wonderful news is they have, with products now in 26 states and counting. What started with the simplest idea and one crib model has turned the industry’s focus in the direction of reclaimed artificial fish habitat products, lasting for many years to come. Six models and counting. Install habitat that doesn’t decay and break down, only has to be done once.
Trial and error, lots of siding, and more fishiding fish structure units in Wonder Lake. We continue to test and develop new textures, sizes and shapes of fish attractors for all types of needs. We film under water to see how the structure is being used. The biologists asked for something denser with fine strands to protect the smallest fry and larvae. We named it the Cradle. Something easy to transport and fit in the boat without the need of tools, weights or chains. Products that don’t add to energy and pollution concerns. What about wide limbs to create maximum shade benefits? All these concerns have been addressed and resolved with utmost care and consideration. The garden pond and koi pond owners asked for smaller habitat for their downsized solitude. We now offer three smaller versions of fish habitat for these welcome friends. This is only the beginning.
The market is vast, from saltwater to aquaculture, freshwater to aquariums and beyond. Fishiding.com will continue to reshape fish habitat, one bend at a time. Offering the most cost effective solution to artificial fish habitat. Helping save our waterways and fisheries, all the while being conscious of leaving no footprint from manufacturing. This is what we believe. This is for the fish.
Get involved, do your part in reducing our nation’s dependency on fossil fuels. Help America strengthen by buying and supporting products made here in the states. Reclaimed fishiding artificial fish habitat is made in America with only American made materials. Support your local sportsman/women, for all God’s creatures in our woods and waters they work to protect.
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