Abstract: Disclosed is a method of making a taxidermy fish body insert piece. An outline of the fish body is traced on paper, and the outline is reduced marginally a measured amount. A bendable centerboard is made from the reduced outline. Arcuate contour wires are formed on the fish body of actual half-girths at various positions. The wires are traced on a card, and the tracings are reduced the same measured amount. The card is cut on the reduced tracings to produce a contour gauge card having contour cavities into an edge thereof. A fish body insert piece is built up of excelsior wrapped with string, building a half-body upon each side of the centerboard, using the contour gauge card to control the size and shape thereof.