Codys Creations Quick Picks
- Best All-Around: Mixed Western Trout License Plate Artwork - The piece most trout anglers end up with: a 35 by 21 inch trout built from plates across the Western states. it is the most accessible way into Cody's work and fits above a tying bench or in an office.
- Best for Flats Anglers: Bahamas Bonefish License Plate Artwork - A 43 by 17 inch bonefish made from Bahamas plates, for anyone who has stood on a flat there and wants to remember it. The long, low profile fits over a doorway or a couch.
- Best for the Northeast: New England Striped Bass License Plate Artwork - A striper built from New England plates for the surf and boat anglers who chase them from Maine to Connecticut. A natural fit for a camp or a coastal house.
- Best Statement Piece: Montana Brown Trout 50in. License Plate Artwork - A 50-inch brown trout from Montana plates, larger than the standard trout, for a wall that needs one big piece instead of three small ones.
- Best for Permit Obsessives: Belize Permit License Plate Artwork - A 43 by 25 inch permit in Belize plates for the angler who has lost sleep over one. The tall, deep permit shape makes a bold wall piece.
How to Choose Codys Creations
Start with the fish and the place that mean something
Action: Pick the piece by the trip, not by the color scheme. Every Cody's Creations fish is built from authentic license plates from the region where that fish lives, so the plates carry the story: a trout from Wyoming plates for the Wind River trip, a redfish from Louisiana plates for the marsh, a tarpon from Florida plates for the Keys.
Best for: Trout anglers, the Western, Wyoming, Montana, Colorado, Southeast, and New England trout pieces, several in antique plates. Saltwater anglers can choose Texas or Louisiana redfish, Florida snook, Florida tarpon and permit, Bahamas and Belize bonefish and permit, Mexico tarpon, and the Cuba Permit License Plate Artwork, the rarest plates in the collection.
Size the piece to the wall
Cody's standard sizing is by species: trout are 35 by 21 inches, permit 43 by 25, redfish 42 by 22, tarpon 48 by 20, bonefish 43 by 17, and snook 47 inches wide. Some pieces come in other sizes, such as the 42-inch trout, the 50-inch Montana brown, and the Florida Orange Permit 30in. License Plate Artwork at 30 inches for a smaller wall.
Action: Measure the wall and tape out the dimensions before you order. A 48-inch tarpon reads very differently above a mantel than in a hallway, and these are heavy pieces that need solid mounting.
Best for: A room that already has a lot going on, the antique-plate pieces such as the New England Antique Trout License Plate Artwork. The older plates have muted colors and patina that sit well with wood and leather.
Know the lead time and what arrives
Action: Order early. Each piece is handcrafted to order and Cody's puts creation and delivery at 3 to 4 weeks. For a holiday or birthday gift, count back from the date and add a week.
Tip: No two pieces are identical. Yours will be similar to the photo but built from the plates Cody has on hand, so small differences in plate years, colors, and placement are part of the deal, not a defect.
Why Trident Carries Cody's Creations
Cody Richardson is a Colorado angler who left firefighting to make these, and he sources the plates himself, traveling to find authentic old plates from the places the fish live. The result is wall art that anglers actually want: a fish shape anyone recognizes, built from plates that tell you where it came from.
Care & Maintenance
- Dust with a dry cloth: A soft, dry cloth is all the plates and wood need. Skip solvents and spray cleaners, which can lift paint from old plates.
- Hang on solid anchors: These pieces are heavy wood and steel. Cody's Fish says they arrive ready to hang with fasteners spaced 16 inches apart, so hit two studs or use rated wall anchors.
- Keep it out of constant direct sun: The plates are sealed with a clear urethane finish, but years of direct sun on a south-facing wall will fade any painted surface. A covered porch is fine; a sun-blasted window is not ideal.
- Mind the edges: Plate edges are folded and finished, but they are still metal. Hang the piece where it will not be brushed against in a narrow hallway.
Complete Your Setup
Related Gear
- Fly Fishing Gifts - More gifts for the angler who already has everything.
- Fly Fishing Stickers - Small add-ons for the rod tube and the truck.
- Trident Gear - Shop hats and shirts from Maine.
- Fly Fishing Hats - A hat to pair with the artwork for a complete gift.
Related Guides
- Best Fly Fishing Gift Ideas: A Complete Gift Guide
- Fly Fishing Holiday Gift Guide 2025
- Best Tarpon Fly Fishing Destinations in the World
- The Best Easy-Access Fly Fishing Destinations
Codys Creations FAQs
Q: What is Cody's Creations license plate artwork?
A: Wall art in the shape of a gamefish, assembled by hand from authentic license plates and mounted on wood. Each species is built from plates from the region where that fish is caught, so a Bahamas bonefish uses Bahamas plates and a Montana brown trout uses Montana plates.
Q: How long does a Cody's Creations piece take to arrive?
A: Each piece is made to order, and creation and delivery take about 3 to 4 weeks.
Q: Will my piece look exactly like the photo?
A: It will be similar, but not identical. Every piece is handcrafted from the plates on hand, so plate years, colors, and placement vary.
Q: How big are the Cody's Creations fish?
A: Standard trout are 35 by 21 inches, permit 43 by 25, redfish 42 by 22, tarpon 48 by 20, bonefish 43 by 17, and snook 47 inches wide. Some pieces come in 30, 42, and 50-inch versions, noted in the product title.
Q: Are the license plates real?
A: Yes. Cody's Fish states that the plates are authentic, sourced on plate-hunting trips, and that each original piece is signed, numbered, and comes with a certificate of authenticity.
Q: Can I return a Cody's Creations piece?
A: Because each piece is custom made to order, treat it as a final sale and measure carefully before buying. If a piece arrives damaged in shipping, contact Trident right away with photos and we will make it right.
Cody's Creations Warranty & Resources
Handmade artwork does not carry a product warranty the way gear does. Cody's Fish, the maker, states that pieces are built on high-grade wood with exterior paint on both sides, hand-wrapped plates, and a clear industrial urethane to protect against weather and yellowing, and its policy asks buyers to inspect the piece on arrival and report any damage or defect immediately.
Learn More from Cody's Creations
- Cody's Fish - The maker's site, with the full species and destination lineup.
- Cody's Fish FAQs - Lead times, materials, custom sizing, and authenticity.
- About Cody Richardson - How a Colorado firefighter started building fish out of license plates.