Merging Fly Fishing and Tattoo Art | Interview with AJ McGuire
AJ McGuire is a tattoo artist whose passion for fly fishing deeply influences his artwork. Known for his nature and fish-themed tattoos, particularly his trout designs, AJ's work reflects his love for the outdoors and his experiences on the water. In this interview, AJ shares how fly fishing has shaped his artistic style and some memorable moments that inspire his tattoo creations.
1. How did your passion for fly fishing develop and how has it influenced your artistic style?
I fished a lot as a kid and was always very curious about fly fishing. After living in Colorado for a few years, I finally got some gear and decided I was going to figure it out. After I caught my first trout on the fly, I knew immediately that fly fishing was going to be a big part of my life. I started spending all my free time in the mountains fishing rivers, hiking into alpine lakes, and camping a ton—all just to catch as many fish as I could. It really heightened my love for the outdoors.
I started wanting to tattoo what I love and where I love to be, so my designs are now mostly nature and fish-themed. Over the years my main focus has become tattooing trout. I strive to represent their colors and patterns in a somewhat realistic, but still stylized way.
2. Can you share a memorable experience or story from your fly fishing adventures that has inspired your tattoo designs?
My good friend Will and I go on a fall stillwater trip every year to catch big browns right before the lakes ice over. He caught a mammoth brown this year, with maroon spots and blue cheeks. We’re working on a tattoo to commemorate that epic catch. It’s a big brown jumping out of the water with fall leaves, and there’s even a blood moon in the background. It’s a big one on his whole shin! I’m excited to finish it up soon.
3. Can you describe a particularly meaningful or significant tattoo you’ve created for a client, specifically related to fly fishing?
My client Pauline went to Japan last spring to visit family and attend her nephew’s wedding. While she was there, she hired a guide and was able to catch a “Yamame,” aka a Japanese cherry salmon. This was a huge goal and something she always wanted to do, so she came in and got it tattooed. It was a color tattoo on her forearm of the fish and some cherry blossoms, since it was the height of cherry blossom season while she was there. She was pumped on the tattoo and I really enjoyed hearing the story and chatting with her about fishing!
4. What specific elements of fly fishing do you incorporate into your tattoos, and how do you ensure they accurately represent the sport?
I incorporate whatever the client wants: fish, bugs, flies, fly rods, water, rocks, plants, and even whole river or lake scenes. I always look up reference photos to make sure my tattoos are as accurate as possible. Sometimes my clients bring in their own references too, either of the fish they’re getting tattooed, the mountain peak they climbed over to get to a lake loaded with cutties, or their first reel. I’ve even had clients bring in flies they’ve caught a trophy fish on or flies they’ve invented, so I can see them in person and accurately draw up the tattoo.
5. As a fly fishing enthusiast, what aspects of the sport do you hope to capture and convey through your tattoo art?
It’s really the fish patterns for me. I love when the tattoo is finished and my client is stoked because the tattoo looks just like the fish in the picture they gave me. I don’t think any two fish are exactly alike, so it’s cool to notice what makes each one unique and then include that in the tattoo.
6. How do you stay updated on the latest trends and techniques in tattoo artistry, and how do you infuse these into your fly fishing-inspired tattoos?
I learn the most from the other artists at my shop. We discuss what everyone is using and share info with each other a lot. I also find out about some new stuff on Instagram. I’m the most interested in ink and tattoo machines, and I’m always on the lookout for solid colors that look fishy and hold well. I also firmly believe a tattoo should be done cleanly and efficiently, which requires the right machine. It’s definitely important to have the right tools—I use the best inks to make sure all my fishing tattoos are bright and bold!
About AJ McGuire
Location: Denver, CO
Originally from: Buffalo, NY
Education: BFA in Drawing
Owner of: Dead Drift Tattoo, which I started in 2015
Shop Details: It’s an 8-artist, custom tattoo shop, specializing in a variety of styles
Personal Interests: I love fly fishing (obviously), camping, tying flies, painting, playing guitar, and spending as much time as possible with my wife Robbi and daughter Josie
@ajmcguiretattoos @deaddrifttattoodenverco