Replica Toy Fish Closeout = Toy Fish Factory!

(Sorry admins if this is the wrong place, feel free to move it)
I got this email yesterday and thought I'd share:


"Last of toy fish inventory

Greetings Toy Fish Enthusiasts, 3-29-17

Thanks for being a customer of Replica Toy Fish Company. We are closing out the old inventory. Many fish are sold out, but there are many items left. All items available are on the website.

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Free shipping all items.

30% off for orders $70 or more.

There are only about 30 Midwest Tackle Box sets left. That set will not be made again. We will be relaunching a new company called Toy Fish Factory, with all new fish.

Thanks again,
Simeon Chambers "

It would appear that they are moving on to slightly bigger and better things hopefully but for anyone in the US (not sure if they ship internationally) this is a good time to grab some of wonderful fish! (Like I did... )

Thanks for sharing, Page

Thank you :)

I really love these RTF figures. They are something never did before as they tell in their history. It is a good chance to everyone get these unique figures for a very affordable price. It could sound very sad to know that RTF is ending their adventure but I want to believe it is like a butterfly metamorphosis and that Toy Fish Factory will bring an even more exciting project.

I have seen the initial images of what Simeon is up to. As sad as I am to see the current line stop, I am really excited by the list he showed me! It will be more worldwide than just North America, which is great. I haven't yet seen any of the fish though, but he apparently lined up some good sculpting and production, so they should be better than ever!

(And yes, the focus will be primarily freshwater. And no, I won't be stopping my line...!)

Oh that's so exciting! I was hoping he'd expand to more worldwide fish, with a focus on freshwater still. I'd love to see some predatory species from him.

Saarlooswolfhound wrote:

Oh that's so exciting! I was hoping he'd expand to more worldwide fish, with a focus on freshwater still. I'd love to see some predatory species from him.

He's asked me to not reveal too much, of course--but your wish will be granted, assuming everything goes well!

Oh of course of course, he wouldn't want to spoil the surprise. But that is SO SO exciting! So is he still only doing freshwater? Or will he be exploring the oceans too I wonder? If I had to pick I prefer he does freshwater just because they are so underrepresented and there are wonders in our rivers and lakes too worldwide. So exciting and I can't wait to see what he will be bringing us.

Saarlooswolfhound wrote:

Oh of course of course, he wouldn't want to spoil the surprise. But that is SO SO exciting! So is he still only doing freshwater? Or will he be exploring the oceans too I wonder? If I had to pick I prefer he does freshwater just because they are so underrepresented and there are wonders in our rivers and lakes too worldwide. So exciting and I can't wait to see what he will be bringing us.

There is still a definite freshwater preference so far! There are a few salt water and brackish of course. Still a little heavy on the sport-fishing (there are so many small non-game fish after all) but it's a good start!

Great to hear. Two weeks ago I went electro fishing with my general ecology class at a nearby mountain river and we caught lots of brown trout and sculpin (not sure on the spelling). It was very neat to see them up close. Now I doubt a sculpin would be made, at least to scale obviously, but it was very fun to see more freshwater fish than your usual trout or bass for this area. I look forward to his new startup and line of wonderful fish models.

Saarlooswolfhound wrote:

Great to hear. Two weeks ago I went electro fishing with my general ecology class at a nearby mountain river and we caught lots of brown trout and sculpin (not sure on the spelling). It was very neat to see them up close. Now I doubt a sculpin would be made, at least to scale obviously, but it was very fun to see more freshwater fish than your usual trout or bass for this area. I look forward to his new startup and line of wonderful fish models.

You can get several sculpin figures...of the Japanese variety! But yes, some sculpins, darters, minnows, chubs, sticklebacks, dace and such would be great as figures!

Sean, it is fantastic that you are giving us two good news. RTF is expanding their horizons and your line will continue.

Roger wrote:

Sean, it is fantastic that you are giving us two good news. RTF is expanding their horizons and your line will continue.

I do what I can...there are a few little snags for my line right now, but it should be fine.

And I am hoping to hear something concrete from Simeon soon!

sbell wrote:

Saarlooswolfhound wrote:

Oh of course of course, he wouldn't want to spoil the surprise. But that is SO SO exciting! So is he still only doing freshwater? Or will he be exploring the oceans too I wonder? If I had to pick I prefer he does freshwater just because they are so underrepresented and there are wonders in our rivers and lakes too worldwide. So exciting and I can't wait to see what he will be bringing us.

There is still a definite freshwater preference so far! There are a few salt water and brackish of course. Still a little heavy on the sport-fishing (there are so many small non-game fish after all) but it's a good start!

A few salt water and brackish too? Now it will be interesting for me :)

I have been in touch with Simeon--the new line carries forward. Just the usual production stuff, causing slight delays (I don't know how many of the sets are being brought out to start, but I'm guessing he wants to make a bit of a 'splash'!).

Anyway, I notice the RTF site is getting a little light on models; I have some extra coming for my store, but before then, he sent me a pile of fish, many 'seconds' with paint issues.

And a handful of the Chain Pickerel! I never thought I'd have them in hand!

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I have a couple for myself, plus the 3 pictured for sale in my store.

I'm still going to miss the line, but knowing what he's up to (I've seenthe proposed list) I really hope it all works out!

Nice chain pickerel.

This is exciting! (To me at least)
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Look under the tab for shopping and view their current sets and sets planned to come.

Looks nice but i had hope for more saltwater fishes :)

Yeah, but he's very much a Freshwater guy. You get 1! Plus a few kind ofs...

I was just in touch with him on Sunday. Right now it looks like the first sets will be July releases. It all comes down to manufacture and production at this point.

He had originally hoped for April...but this stuff never works out right. No matter, I will have them in my store whenever they come out! And on my shelves...

Although I had thought the goal was 100 species...but some of those have overlaps. \Either way, all good!

Yes, a few i will buy for my zoo :)

I enjoy the concept despite the overlaps. River Monsters was my only suggestion for a Safari tube I ever made in their Facebook. Great to see that Toy Fish Factory will release two sets dedicated to that subject. The prehistoric and some many others are also very exciting.

Sbell, do you know if he will sell any individually? Or if you will? I'm debating some of the sets because I have some of the models, and if it's not a huge improvement I don't want to be left with too many doubles. I also hope he will look at the Pacific coast also, it seems he focused so far on Atlantic species for marine types. Otherwise, I'm excited he chose some of the "monster" fish like arapaima, payara, and so many catfish etc.

Saarlooswolfhound wrote:

Sbell, do you know if he will sell any individually? Or if you will? I'm debating some of the sets because I have some of the models, and if it's not a huge improvement I don't want to be left with too many doubles. I also hope he will look at the Pacific coast also, it seems he focused so far on Atlantic species for marine types. Otherwise, I'm excited he chose some of the "monster" fish like arapaima, payara, and so many catfish etc.

As far as I know, the models will only be sold in the box sets--it's easier for retailers.

All of the models, as far as I know, are new sculpts even if the species is the same (channel cat, alligator gar and largemouth bass come to mind).

As for focus...it is definitely Eastern skewed. It's hard to tell exactly without a proper list. But it could definitely use a little more western influence.

He has tried to limit the marine sets overall but there are some Pacific ones (like the Pacific Salmon set). But it does still focus heavily on game-oriented fish and North American fish. I don't this is a real surprise, as those would be the most marketable where he is aiming.

I had given my suggestions for his line but we'll see what he does with it. It was more broad taxonomically and geographically. But I can always pick up that slack with my line I suppose...

Saarlooswolfhound wrote:

Sbell, do you know if he will sell any individually? Or if you will? I'm debating some of the sets because I have some of the models, and if it's not a huge improvement I don't want to be left with too many doubles. I also hope he will look at the Pacific coast also, it seems he focused so far on Atlantic species for marine types. Otherwise, I'm excited he chose some of the "monster" fish like arapaima, payara, and so many catfish etc.

That would be also interesting for me :)

So here's an update--the Replica Toy Fish line will be unavailable from the source as of the 20th of July. Still opportunity to get large lots of some of the fish (he's sold out of many species already though).

And, of course, I will still have some in my store, but even those are thinning out. Hopefully we don't have to wait too long for the new line!