For John Noble, known on Instagram as @scalydesigns, fly fishing is more than just a hobby—it’s the heart of his artistic journey. Growing up in Flagstaff, Arizona, John’s early adventures on the waters of Colorado sparked a lifelong love for both fishing and art. His passion has evolved from casting a line into pristine streams to capturing the vibrant essence of fish through his unique and colorful creations. Join us as we explore how John’s experiences on the water have shaped his path as a fly fisherman and an artist, blending the beauty of nature with the precision of his craft.

1. How did you get started with fly fishing?

Answer: When I was 9 years old, on the way to baseball camp in Telluride, Colorado, my dad and I took a guided trip. We hiked down like 4k feet to this tiny creek loaded with brook trout. I think my first or second flip with an elk hair caddis, this brook trout came rocketing out of the shadows and smashed it. We were completely wiped out from the down-and-up hike, but we were both hooked...I never put the fly rod down from that moment on.

2. What inspired you to start creating fish art?

Answer: As a kid, I was always into hunting and fishing (now just fishing). I was always drawing wildlife—elk, mule deer, antelope, and big horn sheep. I think in my 30s, I saw a Derek DeYoung painting in a fly shop or restaurant. It was the most fantastic painting I had ever seen! That was the thing that sent me in the fish direction for sure!

3. Where are you from, and what waters did you fish growing up?

Answer: So I was born and raised in Flagstaff, Arizona. Oak Creek, Lee's Ferry, and southern Colorado were where we fished the most. Oak Creek was the absolute best as a kid! 25 minutes to water, we could park wherever we wanted, fish a mile or two up, and walk right back down the highway without even seeing a car. Nowadays, you have to pay for parking, and the creek is like Disneyland! I think it's not necessarily the locations that inspired me, but the fish themselves.

4. What is your favorite fish to target?

Answer: My favorite fish to target is literally ANY! Nowadays, with kids, business, and life in general, I think I appreciate every fish even more. For quick "get out of the house" fishing, I go after carp.

5. Where do you go when you have time for a fishing trip?

Answer: If I have time now for a fishing trip, I'm hauling butt for Colorado! I love all the water around Dolores, Rico, Telluride, and Ridgway. Everything up there looks about the same as when I started fly fishing. I guess it is fishing old memories that keeps me coming back up there.

6. What is the most challenging piece of art you've worked on?

Answer: The most challenging piece of art I would say is every painting I do of an actual fish. I do everything with an airbrush and automotive paint. I push 40-50 psi of air through an airbrush, so that is completely different from a paintbrush. The airbrush, to me, has been the most challenging medium to work with, and that is why I love it!

7. What is your favorite type of art to create?

Answer: My favorite art to do is probably the wood cutouts. I love doing the goofy stuff like that! A giant German Brown with a mouse butt hanging out of its mouth is fantastic to me! I can't stand "realistic" paintings. Even in my more realistic paintings, I will exaggerate the colors that I'm liking—it is all about COLOR! Throw some color at it!!!

8. What draws you to paint trout and other fish?

Answer: I think fly fishing for trout and the trout themselves—the colors and reflections—just seem like a perfect match for airbrushing. The automotive pearl paints and candy paints were made for painting fish!

9. Do you have any new projects or plans on the horizon?

Answer: I don't really have anything new on the horizon. I paint every morning, keep moving, and keep my head down. I've been painting trout stuff now for customers for 13+ years, and it still doesn't seem like work...so I must be doing alright!