Permanent Fly-Fishing Art by Tattooist AJ McGuire

Cutthroat, brook trout, and brown trout tattoos by AJ McGuire. Pictures: AJ McGuire

By: Rick Mikesell, MidCurrent Gear Guru

Fly fishing is a sport outlined by ardour. Anglers dive in deep and never solely immerse themselves in water in pursuit of fish, but in addition within the tradition and way of life that encompass the game. We will spot a fellow angler by the Howler Brothers cap or the trout sticker on their again window, however for some, the fervour runs pores and skin deep . . . actually. They have fun their love for fish and the game by having them completely tattooed. Since opening Dead Drift Tattoo in Denver, Colorado in 2015, AJ McGuire has turn into the go-to artist for anglers who need their ardour inked into pores and skin. His popularity rests on unmatched accuracy, vivid shade, and an obsession with the craft and cult of fly fishing that reveals in each trout and fly that leaves his store.

AJ reveals off a tailwater brown trout.

AJ started tattooing in 2008, and in 2013 he discovered the subject material that will outline his profession. A single trout piece sparked his pivot into fly-fishing themed tattoos, particularly trout, and inside two years Useless Drift Tattoo was born. During the last 5 years, he has transitioned to nearly solely doing fly-fishing tattoos, with purchasers touring from throughout the nation to take a seat in his chair. His specialties are trout and fishing flies, the place his intimate data as each an angler and a fly tier comes by way of. His trout work is acknowledged for lifelike accuracy, proper right down to the delicate shades and recognizing patterns that make every fish distinctive. AJ can be a genuinely good man, and after a number of time getting poked by a needle at his command, I can say that the ache is much less noticeable once you get to speak fishing with somebody as passionate as you’re.

AJ tattoos a carp on the writer.

When requested about his favourite species to tattoo, AJ doesn’t hesitate. Brown trout are his favourite topic, with their wealthy golden flanks and crimson spots. Essentially the most difficult fish to tattoo is the brook trout, with its advanced vermiculation and expansive palette, however he enjoys the problem. Over time he has tattooed all the things from tarpon and bonefish to bluegill and carp. One species he nonetheless hopes to deal with is the sturgeon. The strangest request he has ever accepted was an outline of internet personality Hasbulla holding a tiger muskie.

Hasbulla Magomedov with a tiger musky, amongst different designs.

AJ doesn’t simply draw and tattoo fish; he’s additionally a devoted fly angler and an obsessive fly tier. The identical consideration to element that drives his fly patterns informs the accuracy of his tattoos. Each Tuesday, he disappears into the Colorado excessive nation, usually mountaineering above treeline to chase his favourite goal, native cutthroat trout. That zeal for water and fish is what units his work aside.

AJ’s specialties are trout and different sport fish.

Due to his rising popularity it may be troublesome to safe a reserving. His appointment books open solely briefly home windows and fill shortly. For these keen to take an opportunity, his flash occasions on First Friday artwork walks and on Friday the thirteenth, in his present residence within the Denver Arts District on Santa Fe Drive, are first come, first served, and sometimes function one-of-a-kind fish tattoos. If AJ shouldn’t be out there, his crew at Useless Drift is made up of artists who can all create fishing tattoos with ability, even when they don’t seem to be as fanatical about angling as their boss.

T-shirt artwork from the store.

Useless Drift has shifted areas thrice through the years, a mirrored image of the altering economics of Denver’s neighborhoods. This fall, the store will settle right into a everlasting residence inside a constructing AJ not too long ago bought, aptly named The Seam, a brand new multi-use house that will even home coworking areas and an occasion corridor. For anglers who need to carry their ardour past the river and into artwork that lasts a lifetime, AJ McGuire and Useless Drift Tattoo have turn into the usual.

Check out AJ’s Work and Dead Drift Tattoo Here