Hey Joe! Martin from Forager Provisions here — for those in our community meeting you for the first time, could you introduce yourself? And I’ve got to ask… what first inspired you to start embroidering fish onto vintage jumpers?
I am Joe Hall, an artist and avid fly fisherman based in Tucson, Arizona. Inspired by time spent on rivers and in wild landscapes, I create hand-felted fish that reinterpret native species through texture, form, and craftsmanship. Blending heritage sporting culture with traditional fiber art, my pieces serve as modern keepsakes and tangible reminders of days on the water.
I had been making three-dimensional felted sculptures of native trout as personal mementos. One day, while looking at an old jumper with numerous holes, I realized I could repair it using those same fish designs. What started as a simple repair became a wat to make my work wearable-combining restoration, storytelling, and my time on the water.
All image rights remain the property of Joe Hall (@lowtidejoe).
Do you design each fish specifically for the garment, or do you work from a set pattern?
I work from foundational patterns to ensure consistency, but every fish is individually needle-felted and adjusted for the specific garment. Color, proportion, and detailing are tailored to each piece, so no two are ever identical.
What then draws you to fish as your main subject—is it personal, cultural, environmental? And is there a particular fish you love stitching more than others?
It is a blend of all three, though mostly personal. I have always been fascinated by native trout—their patterns, coloration, and how they vary between watersheds. They carry strong ties to fly-fishing tradition and conservation, serving as powerful symbols of a healthy landscape. I am especially drawn to cutthroat trout; their markings and subtle variations make them endlessly interesting to reinterpret in wool.
How long does one embroidered piece typically take from start to finish?
Each piece generally takes two to four hours to complete, depending on the complexity. Every fish is built up by hand through layered needle-felting, which provides depth and individuality.
What's your stitching process like—hand-embroidered entirely, or a mix of techniques?
The process is actually 100% needle-felted wool; there is no traditional embroidery or stitching involved. I build each fish directly into the garment using barbed felting needles to interlock the wool fibers with the existing fabric. The process is slow and tactile—layering, compressing, and shaping the wool until the form and pattern emerge organically.
All image rights remain the property of Joe Hall (@lowtidejoe).
Be honest... what's your current favourite Forager Provisions product, and how would you naturally work it into your world?
I'm also a ceramic artist, so the Soola Studio Artist Stationery Pouch in Sedona would be my pick. I can easily imagine using it to organize my favorite throwing and trimming tools.
Which brand matches your ethos and you'd love to collaborate with?
I'd love to collaborate with Filson. Their commitment to heritage craftsmanship, quality woolen pieces, and the outdoors — especially fly fishing — aligns perfectly with my own approach. Their emphasis on durability, tradition, and connection to wild landscapes resonates deeply with the ethos behind my work.
A huge thank you to the incredibly talented Joe for taking the time to chat with us about his work. If you’d like to keep up with his very cool, fish-inspired creations, head over to Instagram @lowtidejoe and show him some support.
If you’re a maker creating nature-inspired work and would like to take part in a future Q&A, we’d love to hear from you. Drop us an email at sales@forager-provisions.com with the subject line Forager Provisions Q&A. If it’s a good fit, we’ll be in touch.
