Yes! That was our favourite part too, and for that reason, in the patched version (https://yanwittmann.de/game/GMTK2024/gmtk2024), there is a keyboard cheatcode "giveall" that gives you 7 of each scale when you enter it, essentially allowing you to make any armor your want. That version also makes the fishing more enjoyable!
(that guy with the round face, I don't know how my teammate came up with him though, but he's a pretty fun character though)