Bilz Rock Fish, William Van Orden, Heriot Bay

Electric Ray (Torpedo californicus)






Wm. Van Orden
aka Bilz Rock Fish


For the last ten years Wm. Van Orden has been making replicas of fish and other critters found along Canada’s west coast. He has developed a unique technique for creating extremely accurate renditions of marine life. Molds are made using real fish specimens and with these molds replicas are cast. Every scale, pore and wrinkle is duplicated. The cast fish are then coloured with acrylic paints using an extensive collection of photos and notes. The quest is to create a permanent three dimensional record of every fish found along our coast. With over 250 different molds cluttering his shop, it would appear that the quest has turned into an obsession. The variety and beauty of the sea life found around us is amazing.

Skilfish (Erilepsis zonifer)

Geoduck Clam (Panopea generosa)

Rougheye Rockfish (Sebastes aleutianus )

Fangtooth (Anoplogaster cornuta)