Testimonials about our Fiberglass Fish Replica Art Sculptures

This is my 21lb. Steelhead caught in the Hoh River several seasons ago. The fish was released unharmed and I was fortunate enough to call Luke with my measurements and shared the picture, which has made my memory part of my living room. The mount is wonderful and the detail is amazing. The fish changes appearance as you move around the room or go upstairs and look down on it. The detail of the paint job really makes it look alive as if it were swimming by. I was very pleased with Luke's work and his professionalism I'm currently having him recreate a 40 lb. Dorado I caught this spring in Mexico and am looking forward to the final product Thanks for the great work Luke and wish you the best.

Roger R.   ~ Port Angeles, WA

Brothers David and Peter Tarabochia have fished the Kenai River twice, having landed big Kings over 60 lbs. However, when they caught a 72 lb (51") monster, it just had to be memorialized. The family searched for an artist and found one consistent recommendation: Luke Filmer of Blackwater Fish Replicas. "Luke is the consummate artist, which is the critical element", said their father, "and to recapture this prize fish we wanted to go with the best. Luke has brought this wonderful memory back to life for us to enjoy forever."

Don, David & Peter T. ~ Tacoma, WA

My wife and I would like to thank Mr. and Mrs. Filmer for recreating the memory of my "Catch of a lifetime!". It was a bass that weighed 6.5lbs and was 21-1/2 inches long. I caught it out of my farm pond on 12/31/2006. The memory of this was starting to fade due to time, when without my knowledge my wife contacted Mr. and Mrs. Filmer to create a replica for my birthday. Thanks to the god given talent of Mr. Filmer he retrieved my vague memory of the experience and refreshed it forever, a gift that can't be given by everyone. Mr. Filmer made this a birthday and a memory that will not be forgotten.

Mike H. ~ Woodsfiled, Ohio

Every mount that Mr. Filmer prepares for me is a work of art. Aside from its amazing natural likeness, each salmon or trout possesses a uniqueness like any fine sculpture and painting that's worthy of a museum or gallery.

David T.  ~ Long Beach, CA

Thanks Luke and Blackwater for recreating my"Fish of a lifetime".  Your attention to detail makes the mount very realistic.  Most of our friends can't believe it’s not the real fish!  The background captures the river where it was caught extremely well.  The entire process from placing my order until delivery went without a hitch.  Thanks again, it's the centerpiece of our gameroom.

Guy T.  ~ Escondido, CA

Congressman Norm Dicks could not have been more delighted with the quality and painstaking accuracy of the replica of his big king salmon that greets visitors to his Washington D.C. office. In all of my experience as a biologist and angler I have never seen a more accurate and artistic replica of a Pacific salmon.

Frank H., Senior Fish Biologist, Northwest Marine Technology, Inc.

Amazing…that’s what I thought when I first saw the results of Luke’s work. I looked at several replicas by other artists, but never found one that looked lifelike until I saw Luke’s. So when I landed the fish of a lifetime, I new immediately who I wanted to reproduce it.

Being used to traditional taxidermists, I was caught off guard by Luke’s artistic approach to designing the replica. He took time to get to know me and what I was looking for rather than simply focusing on the shape of the fish. The result was unbelievable. Luke’s use of color, attention to detail, and unique mount bring the replica to life. There’s no comparison between the replica Luke made me, and a fish I had traditionally mounted a few years prior. It’s truly an amazing piece of art that I’m proud to display in my home.

Neil M.  ~ North Bend, WA

The fish is now hanging on the wall in our River Room and looks great. Next time you are in Montana stop by and I'll show you the lodge. Thanks for the good job.

John S. ~ Alder, MT

This is my 32 1/2 lb. 44 inch Steelhead caught in 2004, on the Green River in King Co. I took the dimensions with a soft tape, scale sampled, and took a few pictures. The fish was released unharmed. The scale sample should this was a five salt fish. I gave Luke Filmer a call hearing he was the best fish taxidermist. I sent him the pictures and dimensions. When people come into my log home, they just stand and stare at the quality of Luke's lifelike work. Thank you Luke for making this a lifetime memory.

Steve (Smurf) S. ~ Buckley, WA

Luke, I received the mount today. I couldn't be happier. The pictures you sent did not do it justice. Incredible!! Thank You. I'll be getting a salmon later.

Bill P ~ Dyer, Indiana

I have quite a few fish mounts in my home, collected over the years, but none compare with my Chinook Salmon (57 lbs.) I caught in the Dean River in Northern BC, Canada. I had Luke do for me. It is incredible. The iridescent colors are so realistic that the fish looks like it is fresh out of the ocean. From every angle the colors change. The driftwood background is also a work of art. Beautiful job Luke!

B. Cutler ~ Naramata, B.C. Canada

Four years ago, our daughter (age 11 at the time), hooked a once-in-a-lifetime king salmon during our first trip on the Kenai River in Alaska. Try as she might to catch it by herself, she finally relented and asked her Dad for help. After about 15 minutes, he succeeded in landing the 72 lb (54-3/4") salmon.

We realized we didn't have a choice; a catch of this magnitude needed to be memorialized. But we couldn't trust just anyone; thus the delay in getting our replica done. The wait was well worth it. We cannot express how elated we are with Luke Filmer's artistic abilities and his attention to detail. The dedication to perfection that he demonstrated to assure every miniscule characteristic was captured is phenomenal. From the intricate painting, down to choosing the perfect colored sand to blend in with our bricks, Luke did an astonishing job! The artwork appears as if it just might swim right off the fireplace.

Russ and Kathy K., Maple Valley, WA

MY DREAM.........was etched into my mind many years ago when my Dad would take me to the local lake for a day of trout fishing. As I grew older it was clear that this was not a dream, but my passion. Specifically, fishing for CnR native Steelhead. As many of us Steelheader's know the elusive 20 lb bench mark is a once in a life time feat. I have been fortunate to have achieved this dream more than once. My dream and my memories are kept alive by the realistic and incredibly artistic replica that Luke Filmer of Blackwater Fish Replicas created. He worked closely with me to make sure that I have the perfect re-creation of this memory. I want to give Luke his prop's by saying he is really a stand up person and one heck of an artist. We went to Luke with pictures and a story, and left with a beautiful piece of art, which we will look at every day and remember that amazing day on the
river.

P.S. My wife loves it. Thanks again Luke. We really love it.

Jeff F., Auburn, WA