You’ll find more than just fishing celebrities in this list. One can make a significant impact
on the lives of many without ever being well known. It is important to honor all of
those who had a great influence on the great sport of fishing, whether famous or not.
Corporate advances tend to be much more visible to us. For it’s their products that
shape the evolution of the sport of fishing.

The Gapen Tackle Company (Gapen) got its main start when Don Gapen, created the Muddler Fly in 1936. This fly has become the largest-­‐selling Trout fly in the world. Don created this bait at Virgin Falls on the world-­‐famous Nipigon River, Ontario in 1936 for Brook Trout.
Don was the son of Sue and Jesse Gapen who owned Hungry Jack Lodge on the Gunflint Trail out of Grand Marais, MN. The Hungry Jack Lodge was famous for guests such as the Pillsbury Family who spent a great deal of their summers there, and also the Vanderbilt Family. The Lodge is where Pillsbury got its name for their pancake, potato and syrup mixes.
Gapen got its start at Nipigon, Ontario, where Don bought a lodge. The Chalet Bungalow was famous in the early 1900s for the Royalty that came from Europe. Don’s son, Dan Gapen began tying flies at this time, at the age of 6, then commercially at age 8, at the lodge in winter. This is was the beginning of Gapen Tackle Co. this happened in 1956; there was a demand for Muddler flies. The company is noted as one of first fly-­‐tying company.
Since then, Gapen’s created the first bottom-­‐walking sinker in 1965. Prior to that Don Gapen had created the first inline weight-­‐forward spinner rig he called the NEPAG® (Gapen spelled backwards!) John Hodak brought out the second inline rig in the late 50s, after asking Don’s permission to copy it in the U.S.
1965 Gapen’s received the Gold Lure Award from the Industry for its Min O Mate Lure In.
1967 Gapen’s created the first rock-­‐walking, self-­‐balanced jig called the Ugly Bug™. The lure still has an immense fan base and they continue to sell about ten of thousands per year.
Gapen’s created the first willow-­‐leaf spinner bait in the early 1970, called the Weedcutter®.
Also in the ‘70s came the Hairy Worm, the first original Pig n Jig lure; a hair jig with a worm tail. this style lure is big in the Bass market. Then came the Hairy Worm™ Plus.
Gapen’s added to the fishing world the Flicker™, an ice jig.
The Walk-­‐N-­‐Lizard; originated for Peacock Bass and now used for pike and muskie.
The Flub Dub, a crankbait with a spinner under the body, was created to go through brush and to be used as a jerk bait or submerged minnow.
The Freshwater Shrimp; phenomenal on panfish and can be used under a bobber.
In the early 90s they acquired the Slip-­‐N-­‐Lock™ Float, which continues to be one their top sellers.
All of the items Gapen makes are tested for many years. Example: the Spin Bee® Jig, went thru four years of testing before bringing it out in 2013.