Chasing the Dream “Alaska state record Grayling fish replica”

2008 was the year to remember for british fishing guide Peter Cockwill. For over two decades Cockwill guided clients into the wilds of Alaska in search of trophy fish, and in doing so, shared his passion for adventure fishing skills with clients from around the world. 

Each season brought a new and exciting adventure , but this year it would be different (he thought to himself ), as he gathered his gear together in preparation for his long-awaited adventure. This year was his turn to be the hunter and his ambition was to catch the Alaskan Grayling that would beat any record or legend he had heard of. His lifelong  fascination with the Grayling  evolved into an obsession – and soon would become a moment he would never forget !

Because the only practical means of access to remote fishing locations is by helicopter, Peter sought the service of Twin Peaks Adventures, which is a helicopter fly out fishing guide service based in Nome Alaska. . His guide that day was Fred Di Cicco -retired ADFG, who spent his life studying char and grayling. It was late August 2008, when they flew out to the banks of a remote stream on the Seward Peninsula.  The fish were waiting for him and he was living the dream sight-casting for large Arctic Grayling. One after the other he caught more large Grayling than he could count. Again and again the line pulled tight and each time he wondered  “could this be the one” ?There was no doubt when he caught the largest fish. It taped at 22.75″ in length – and had a girth of 13.5″. After weighing this grayling on an IGFA certified scale it was over 5 lbs !

After taking photographs the fish was released back into the river unharmed. “We weren’t going to kill a fish to establish a record”, De Cicco stated and Cockwill agreed adding “We cannot replace these wild fish”. It was the first time Alaska recognized a released fish as a state record claimed DeCicco, who estimated the fish’s age at 30 years.

In the fall of 2011, I received an e-mail for The United Kingdom. It was Peter Cockwill writing to inquire about having a fiberglass Grayling replica created to commemorate his catch. We discussed the importance of building the model to scale, and wrote back and forth about many display possibilities for his art. His hope was to display the fish replica in his flyshop in Albury, called Albury Game Angling.

This is a very important milestone for me. I spent many years searching for a truly large grayling and having accomplished this, as well as catching the state record for Alaska,  record it would be a real treat for me to be able to look at my fish again and re-live the moment.

Cockwill grayling fish replica

I assured him that Blackwater Fish Replicas specializes in custom fish replicas created and sculpted accurately to match the physical attributes as well as coloring the specimen to the photograph. Peter commissioned the project and the replica of his grayling was scheduled for completion in May of 2012. He mentioned he would be travelling in Washington state on business soon and wanted to stop by the shop to meet while here. He arrived in Gig Harbor in November and It was great to meet in person and we talked for a long time about the process of creating fish replicas and I showed him some current projects I was working on at the time and during Peter’s visit we discussed the modeling process and how fish replicas are created from fiberglass resin and sculpted and airbrushed. This is a very detailed process involving several stages including fabrication , sanding and assembly before actually applying the paint which is also done in stages including hand-painting. I stayed in touch with Peter throughout the process and in May of 2012 I had completed the fish replica, carefully packed the artwork and sent the grayling to Albury.  It took only (5) days for the crate to arrive in perfect condition to his flyshop in the UK .I received an enthusiastic email for Peter soon after and replied with my appreciation of the opportunity to work on such a special project.

Luke ,The fish replica is in the shop now and already drawing many admiring comments.

 I had an ambition to catch a truly verified Arctic Grayling over 4 lbs and during a ten-year search it became clear that a fish of this size would need to be at least 30 years old. Eventually I found a remote stream where such fish still exist and then got lucky in 2008 to catch the impossible. That fleeting moment of capture, weighing, photos and release has now been immortalised by the skills of Luke Filmer who re-created my dream fish and his magnificent work now has pride of place in my fly shop. Luke, you are a genius and I have the utmost praise for your commitment, talent, honesty and professional ethics. Fly fishing is my life and to cap it with your fantastic study of my fish is the realisation of all I have ever wanted from my career and I wholeheartedly recommend you to any angler wanting the ultimate trophy replica.

Grayling fish replica in flyshop (Albury Game Angling)

- Peter Cockwill

Rainbow Trout Fish Replica Testimonial – February 2012

February was all about Rainbow trout replica projects. I had two fish paintings scheduled for completion. Both fish were caught in Alaska. The first featured in this blog was a 14 lb. Rainbow trout caught in the Copper River in Alaska. Typically, when we think of the Copper River, images of king salmon and sockeye salmon come to mind, but obviously this river holds some pretty big rainbows as well. Richard’s fish measured 31” in length and had an overall girth of nearly 19” – What a football!

The characteristics of the fish were also unique with a sort of buttery color and a pastel pink slash down the flanks rather than the typical green and “blood” red we typically see in these Alaskan rainbow trout. I also noticed a very unusual kype, or snout to this fish’s head and decided to completely modify and re-sculpt the skull for the trout replica.Richard requested that I build  a pedestal display so he could feature the fish art on a table in his office.

Copper River Rainbow Trout Fish Replica

Copper River Rainbow Trout Fish Replica

Placement of the trout replica upon a base in a way that suggested movement was also a challenge that I enjoyed. I came up with a streambed type of feature that allowed me to utilize the curves in the replica to flow over the streambed in a way that depicted the natural movement of a trout as though it were hovering in the current. The final piece also featured the tiny Prince Nymph fly he used to catch this big fish.

I always strive to create each fish painting to not only capture the memories of the fish, but also incorporate streambed enhancements which I feel reflect the environment in which the fish was caught.

Richard, thanks for the challenge and I hope the artwork always reminds you of that great day on the Copper River

–Luke Filmer

Luke – What a masterpiece!!! It literally took me an hour to unwrap it. It is spectacular. It was a work of love. Blackwater (ergo Luke) is first rate. If you want quality this is where you need to go. The final product is absolutely the best. – R. Whitley, Birmingham, AL

Blackwater Fish Replicas films new promotional video with SMG Productions

Similar to “reading the water” before each cast, choosing a marketing approach uses the same principles of patience, experience and determination. Blackwater Fish Replicas starts each new Year with the goal of improving our marketing outreach by continuing our strategy of building relationships with lodges, fishing guides, and forming partnerships with media outlets that feature stories about the outdoors, fishing, or wildlife art.

Steelhead Fish Replica wall display from Blackwater Fish Replicas

After reviewing the current videos on Blackwater’s website several things became apparent. The art featured in the videos are fish replicas created and painted over ten years ago. These art pieces do not reflect how Luke’s painting style has evolved over the years. The videos also do not reflect Blackwater Fish Replicas growing reputation as one of the top industry choices in fish replica paintings, …and finally - Luke has not had a mustache since 2002!

2012 Blackwater Fish Replica video shoot

The decision to work with Keven Strehle of SMG Productions for our new promotional video was effortless. Luke and Keven have been friends since Keven produced the first Blackwater promotional video over ten years ago. Both share the same passion for perfection in their craft, and with 21 Emmys and a reputation for excellence in the film industry, working with SMG Productions was a natural fit.  To catch the morning light Keven and his crew set-up at dawn and spend six hours filming Luke working in his studio while sharing his passion to sculpt and paint fish replicas for his clients.

2012 Video Interview with Luke Filmer

Due for completion in February, the 10-15 minute promotional video will go out to our lodging and fishing industry partners we collaborate with on referrals. Blackwater Fish Replicas also invites all media contacts interested in partnering with us on content that appeals to their target audience, which have a passion for the outdoors, fishing, or fine-art.

Stay Tuned! – Luke & Carola Filmer

Email Marketing Coordinator at carola@blackwatertrading.com

Steelhead Fish Replica

28lb. Steelhead Fish Replica featured on stream

Fishing Memories with Grandpa…

Lake Michigan King Salmon 1980

Chad contacted Luke Filmer of Blackwater Fish Replicas to create two fiberglass replica fish mounts of Great Lakes fish he caught in his youth with his grandfather. At 95 Chad’s grandfather’s health started to fail, and Chad wanted a continuous reminder of his grandpa and their fishing adventures featured on his office wall. He contacted Luke Filmer and described the details of each fish, and provided photos taken in the 80′s – hoping that Luke could capture the physical features and essence creating one salmon and one steelhead fiberglass fish replica. (See Chad’s Testimonial Below).

Lake Michigan King Salmon Replica - Blackwater Fish Replicas - 2011

Chad with Grandpa and Great Lakes Steelhead

Great Lakes Steelhead Fish Replica by Luke Filmer

Testimonial – Chad N., Pleasant Prairie, WI

“Luke, I just wanted to send you a note once again thanking you for sharing your artistic talent with me.  I have recently received the chinook replica and steelhead replica you completed and I could not be more pleased with them.  Your meticulous attention to detail on every individually painted scale and conscientious use of color resulted in a creation that is second only to God’s original handiwork.

Carola, I also wanted to thank you for the time spent with me in conversation to learn about the process to create a fiberglass fish replica of my fish, and helping me to understand exactly what I was looking to accomplish with the project.  Provided with only faded photos and roughly remembered dimensions, you and Luke overcame the challenge of trying to capture the precise look of my prized catches that were landed over 20 years ago.

As we discussed, these fish were among the many caught in my youth while fishing nearly every day each summer with my grandfather on Lake Michigan.  Fishing together, we were known by the handles of “Papa Chinook” and “Little Chinook” because he was the oldest and I the youngest of the fisherman that launched from our little small town dock in Wisconsin.  Sadly, grandpa recently passed away this summer at the age of 95.  Even though my family and I were blessed to have him with us for so many years, I still miss him greatly.  Please know that although both the “king and rainbow were real dandies” (as Papa Chinook described them), your work does more than capture their beauty—it provides a visual reminder for me every day of the many hours grandpa and I spent trolling the lake together and the relationship that spawned from that time on the water.   I sincerely hope that you continue to share your artistic talent with others for many years—it’s a gift that truly aids in the preservation of lifelong, meaningful memories.

With great appreciation,

Chad“Little Chinook”

King and Steelhead Salmon in Chad's Office

Coho Salmon Fish Replicas

I wanted to share with you photos of my favorite fish to catch and paint, the Coho Salmon. I like fishing for silver salmon because of their strength, their ability to leap, and the beauty of the fish itself. I consider them a northwest treasure. I get many orders to customize coho salmon fish replicas from clients all over the country.  To see more photos of fish replicas I have customized for my clients over the years visit my website at www.blackwaterfishreplicas.com or www.lukefilmer.com.

 

Pink has always been my first choice when fishing for Coho Salmon, but I won't hesitate to switch colors or change tactics when these fish become "finicky".

 

 

This photo reveals the sheer number of Salmon you may encounter in a single school of fish staging in the saltwater before their journey upstream. (look closely to see multiple spashes) - Luke Filmer

 

 

This Silver Salmon fish replica display was custom designed for my client to fit on his eight-inch wide fireplace mantel.

 

This Silver Salmon fish replica was designed to showcase not only the fish, but also feature the Salmon fish replica within a wild Alaskan river streambed habitat wall mount display.

 

Custom Coho Salmon pedestal style created in a simple yet elegant twist of wood upon river-rock. This custom table-top version of a 10lb. Salmon replica allowed my client to display this on a conference table in his office. I chose the downward curve to minimize space as well as emphasize synergy with movement. - Luke Filmer

 

 

One of my favorite art pieces, this double Silver Salmon fish replica display features two fish in the 20lb. class. My client shared with me his desire to combine elements of the Pacific Northwest, vibrant colors, and his love for fishing all in one fish replica wall piece. I used the bright silver and the motion of the fish along with brightly colored starfish, shells, and kelp against a dark rock background to achieve what I feel is a true commemorative fish art piece. He loved it! - Luke Filmer

 

My passion for fishing is out-weighed only by my desire to paint fish replicas. - Luke Filmer

I am currently working on a triple Salmon fish replica wall display. These three Salmon will be featured on a streambed wall mount. I plan to have this completed by November 2011. Stay tuned for photos! – Luke

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Testimonial – The Fine-Art of Alaska Fishing

Since about 2002, Bob and Corey Ball, owners of Piscatorial Pursuits, have never failed to put us onto fish on the Kenai, Kasilof or the ocean! Ronnie got his fish of a lifetime ( thus far that is, as we will return to Alaska again!) and I was lucky enough to catch this Yellow Eyed Rockfish. Such beauty lies beneath the waves of Alaska, as well as above. The Yellow Eyed Rockfish was just too beautiful not to get a replica made. Ronnie’s fish, yep, a replica of that fish was done, as well. Per Bob Ball’s suggestion, that is where I came in contact with Luke Filmer, Owner of Blackwater Fish Replicas.

Alaskan Rockfish Replica

Luke Filmer is a fish artist second to none! I will be getting ALL of my family and friends’ fish replicas done by Luke, period! Both fish were outstanding. The Yellow Eyed Rockfish replica was mounted on a stand with Alaskan rock, starfish, and mussels. The photos will not bring forth this 3 dimensional representation of such a beautiful fish. This rockfish replica means more to me than just an object of ”bragging rights.”  The fish looks as though it is alive and swimming in the depths of Alaska.  It is a skillful representation to me of not only a fantastic piece of art, it is a reminder of every trip I have ever taken to Alaska. A reminder of every experience I have had in Alaska. Every single time I pass by that beautiful fish, I am reminded of our trip together with my niece, Mary Jo and her husband, Ronnie.  As the years pass, the hair grays–just a bit at 54, from now until those so-called reclining years to come, that fish will evoke memories of Alaska and the skill Luke used to represent it.

Alaskan Spawning Fish Replica Luke Filmer

 How can you tell if I am telling the truth about Luke Filmer and his artistic skills? Well, later on this fall you can see Luke’s finished work he is doing for me, applying his artistic skills to a Ling Cod fish replica mount, then a Silver, Pink and Sockeye Salmon fish replica display that are both currently being created for me by Luke. Next: I am thinking about the 21″ and 23″ Brook Trout Lili and I caught from the God’s River, in Manitoba. – Joe A. Lake Havasu City, AZ.