Gapen Catalog | Fly Fishing | Jigs | Most Sensitive Rods | Wilderness Reels | Ugly Bug | Muddler |

GAPEN

“Yup, I still have

Anne beat - for

biggest fish”

The Ol’ Man

QUALITY

FISHING

TACKLE

- since -

1935

‘Bobber’ Anne’s

Lake Sturgeon

caught on

1 1 /2 oz. Bait-

Walker

and night

crawlers

THE GAPEN COMPANY

Debbie Gapen’s

30 lb. Pike

17910 - 87th Street, Becker, MN 55308

(PH) 763.263.3558 • (FAX) 763.263.3891

WWW.GAPEN.COM

This catalog is dedicated to

my favorite ladies

GAPEN’S

Family History

The tranquil solitudes

of pine clad hills,

enfold the little road that winds its way into that

hushed expectancy which fills the purple valleys

at the close of day.

Contributed by our good friend and poet

Walter S. Johnson

There are silent valleys of brooding pines,

and a little road that the fairies take,

on a summer’s eve when the full moon shines

‘cross quiet waters of a lonely lake.

Debbie Gapen

My daughter who has

gained the strength

to manage

The Gapen Co.

in our recent years.

‘Bobber’ Anne Orth

For so many years

of support and

strength as I

struggle through

my later years.

“I CAN NEVER THANK

YOU ENOUGH!”

THE GAPEN STORY . . . “OUR HISTORY”

It all began in the far northeastern region of Minnesota with the building of

Minnesota’s largest log structure, Hungry Jack Lodge in 1916. Jesse & Sue Gapen and

their two sons Don and Bob hand built a fishing resort like no other in Minnesota.

The Gunflint Trail on which this log resort and its 14 cabins rested were at this time

a paradise for lake trout, landlocked salmon (believed to be the modern day splake) and

northern pike.

Tourists from all over the country flocked north by whatever means available. Some

came by bus, others by ancient automobile. Famous names such as the Pillsburys,

Vanderbilts, and men from the nation’s top outdoor writers associations came to test

these famous waters.

It was Jesse Gapen who planted the first smallmouth bass in these northern lakes.

This species soon flourished and today the border waters from Ely to Grand Marias,

MN see modern anglers coming by the thousands to seek out this acrobatic species.

In 1936 Don Gapen moved north to Nipigon, Ontario, Canada, at the end of

Highway 61, where the road was gravel. Here the Gapens purchased Chalet Bungalow

Lodge, a 65 capacity American plan resort once owned by the Canadian Railway. At

Nipigon, famous for its world record brook trout, Don and his family spent their

summers and winters creating a resort for fishermen who flocked there to catch the

record size brook trout, lake trout, northern pike, whitefish, sturgeon and the

bountiful supply of walleye.

It was here that Don Gapen created the world famous Original “Muddler Fly” and

it was here that his son Dan Gapen began an outdoor career and education. Dan began

as a minnow/worm boy and then as a fishing guide at the age of 14. From the age of

six young Dan began tying flies and at the age of eight, began tying flies commercially

for his father’s tackle operation. Payment was a half-cent for each fly. It was during this

winter tackle operation the first ever weight-forward spinner lure was invented. It was

called the “Nepag”. From that lure came the Paul Bunyan 66, and the modern Lake

Erie weight-forward spinner.

w w w. g a p e n . c o m

2

F i s h G a p e n ’ s

GAPEN’S

Family History

The Gapens had numerous tent camps on places such ass

Lake Superior’s St. Ignace Island and Lake Nipigon’ss

Shakespeare Island. Tent camps would be the basee

camps for many anglers seeking out their northernn

wilderness adventure.

Gapen’s had the first floatplane fly - in operationn

in their section of northern Ontario. For planes, ann

ancient gullwing Stinson and a cloth coveredd

Norseman were used. Anglers were whisked off northh

into the northern forest where enormous numbers off

game fish awaited their arrival.

In those years the Gapen’s float planes were restricted from traveling beyond thee

Albany River system. If the plane were to go down, there would be no search and rescuee

operation beyond this point.

Dan Gapen, who now has become President & CEO of The Gapen Company, greww

up in the companionship of the native Ojibwa Indian guides who had a great deal to doo

with Dan’s education in this northern wilderness. Rivers abounded in this region off

Ontario and it was here that young Dan gained a true love for river fishing and itss

rewards. The numerous books, videos, TV shows and stories written and hosted byy

Dan are evidence to this rich river wilderness heritage.

It may be of interest to some of you that Jesse Gapen, Dan’s Grandfather, gained hiss

fly tying ability from his father who came from England. This talent has been passed onn

down through four generations of Gapens. Numerous patterns now existing in thee

market were first tied by one of these Gapen men.

It was Dan who broke the mold and came out with other fishing lures such as thee

snag-free, rock walking “Ugly Bug” jig in 1968, and the first bottom-walking wiree

sinker called the “Bait Walker” in 1964. Today, the

Gapen Company specializes in many lures which

other companies haven’t had the foresight to

invent or the willingness to manufacture.

✩ ✩ ✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩ ✩

MADE

USA

IN

THE GAPEN CO. IS A FAMILY

OWNED COMPANY, IN

BUSINESS SINCE 1936.

PRIDE IN ITS ABILITY TO

MANUFACTURE IN THE

U.S.A. IS THE VERY

FIBER WHICH RUNS

THROUGHOUT THE FIRM.

RESISTING THE ALLURE OF PROFITS

WHICH COULD BE MADE BY IMPORTING

PRODUCTS FROM CHINA AND THE FAR

EAST, LIKE MOST OF OUR COMPETITION,

IS NOT A WAY OF BUSINESS FOR THIS

NORTH AMERICAN MANUFACTURER.

✯ IT’S “MADE IN THE U.S.A.”

✯ BY AMERICAN LABOR

✯ FOR AMERICAN ANGLERS!

www.gapen.com

3

Don Gapen, creatorr

of the Original

Muddler fly in

1936 shows off a

10 lb., 4 oz.

brook trout caughtt

on his beloved fly

in the river he

treasured, the

Nipigon.

Fish Gapen’s

If water is really riled up and muddy, switch to a chartreuse-colored bait. This is an

4



GAPEN’S

Philosophy of Fishing

Dan Gapen, Sr.

The Ol’ River Rat

with one of his favorite species.

“THINK LIKE A FISH”

SIMPLE ANSWERS:

Often the pros tend to make fishing too

complicated . . .

Relax, lay back, enjoy your surroundings and

think. Why aren’t the fish biting? Ask yourself

some questions, simple ones like ‘How are the fish

feeling?’

• What about water conditions?

• What time of the year is it?

• Are you working waters that appear to hold no

fish?

• Is the bait you’re using too big or too small to

represent the natural fish food?

• Does the color of the lure you’re using

match the natural food fish?

• Are you personally too hot or too cold as you

work the water?

If it’s a bright sunny day maybe you should slow down your retrieve and go deeper

into shaded cooler water conditions.

If the water you fish is clearly visible all the way to bottom in 10 feet, go for a lighter

colored lure.

If it’s spring, a time for spawn, go shallower with your presentation.

If you’re able to see the bottom in the water you work, and you’ve not flushed a

single fish, maybe you should change location.

Often, many anglers use too large a lure in their attempt to catch a large trophy fish.

Maybe your answer is to go to a much smaller one, food which the local fish are

actually feeding on.

Attempt to match the color of the food the fish you’re after are feeding on. If water

is dirty use dark colors such as black – brown – crawfish – pumpkin or blue; all colors

that match the current fish food and are easily seen because of the sharp silhouette

they give off.

GAPEN’S

Philosophy of Fishing

“THINK LIKE A FISH”

(continued)

ideal time to use the color chartreuse because of the glow given off by this color under

such water conditions. Like headlights on a dark highway, chartreuse becomes visible

under muddy water conditions.

If you are overheated because of a high hot sun, the fish may have fallen victim to the

same conditions. If you can’t react fast because of this maybe the fish perform in a similar

manner. Slow your retrieve down, go deeper and darker with your lure color.

If the fish fail to respond to your lure offering and you see them do so, go to a much

smaller lure in a brighter color.

Example: If you’re fishing bass in 2 to 5 feet of water, and you can see them as they

move away from your 3/8 oz. jig as it’s presented, go to a 1/16 or 1/32 oz. jig in a white

or pink color.

I have a saying, “If I’ve just eaten a heavy hot meal of meat, potatoes and gravy and it

was 95 degrees out all I may want is a cold, small portion of ice cream to satisfy me.”

Yup – ‘THINK LIKE A FISH’ – it’s as simple as that.

So, fishing isn’t as difficult as some pros make it out to be. It’s simply a matter of

asking yourself a few questions.“Where would I be if I

were a fish and what would I like to eat?” should be the

first one.

Relax – SavoR – enJoy and most of all Have

FUn the next time

you’re on the water.

Originator

of the

Muddler

Fly

QUALITY & RELIABILITY

in FISHING

since 1935!

TELEVISION SHOW

“Fishing The World”

with the Ol’ Man & ‘Bobber’ Anne

Not just a fishing show - its an adventure

Don Gapen

with a

10 lb. 6 oz.

brook trout

WORLD

RECORD

Gapen’s TV show hosts:

The Ol’ Man &

‘Bobber’ Anne

Dan Gapen, Sr. & Anne Orth

WORLD

RECORD

“ Fishing The World”

with

Dan Gapen, Sr.

AFTERTHOUGHT:

maybe as I pass into my 80s I’ve just become set in my ways and can be considered oldfashioned

by the youth of today. Maybe so, but I enjoy my sport and continue to catch

and release my share of fish.

the Ol’ Man and ‘Bobber’ Anne

Television show

To find our shows click onto our website:

www.gapen.com

for show and network

information


5 F i s h G a p e n ’ s

w w w. g a p e n . c o m 6


Gapen’s Family History 2 - 3

Philosophy of Fishing 4 - 5

Television Show 6

Wood Lures 8-9

Fishing Tips “from Dan Gapen, Sr.” 11

Fishing Tips “Walleye” 12

NEW Lure “Flub Dub ” 13 - 15

Nepag 16 - 18, 168 - 169

Lures “Big Jig ” 19 - 20

Lures “Weedcutter 21

Lures “Helpful Tips” 22 - 23

Fishing Tips “Flicker ” 24

Lures “Flicker ” 25

Lures “Flicker BT ” & “Red Balls” 26

Fishing Tips “Flicker Plus ” 27

Lures “Flicker Plus ” 28

Super Saver Offer

“Panfish/Flicker & Float” 29 - 31

Jigs “Crappie Vixen ” 32 - 33

Jigs “Walk-N-Lizard ” 34

Jigs “Freshwater Shrimp ” 35 - 36

Lures / Tips “Ugly Bug ” 37 - 38, 40 - 44

Fishing Tips “Undercut” 39

Fishing Tips “Summer Sunfish” 45

“Special” Panfish Jigs 46 - 50

Bobber/Floats 51 - 53

Rigs “Poorman’s Downrigger ” 54 - 55

Rigs “Bait-Walker” 56 - 59

Fishing Tips “Catfish” 60 - 66

Reels “Spinning” & Rod Bags 67

Wilderness Rods “Spinning/Casting” 68

Wilderness Rods “Fly/Steelhead” 69

Rod Warranty 70

Jigs “Crawfish” 71

NEW Lure “Fish Fry ” 72 - 74

Fishing Tips “1-2-3-4” 75 - 76

Flies/Jigs “Muddler” 77 - 82, 104

Flies 83 - 101

Fly Kits 102 - 103


Table of Contents

TO BE EDITED AFTER REVIEW

7

Jig “Muddler” 104

Fishing Tips “Heavy Winds” 105

About ‘Bobber’ Anne 106

‘Bobber’ Anne Items 107

Fishing Tips “Rocks/Drops & Lifts” 108

Fishing Tips “Fly Fishing” 109 - 113

Fishing Tips “Big Bait = Big Fish” 114 - 115

Super Saver Offer

“Panfish/Walleye/Bass & Ugly Bugs ” 116 - 117

Fishing Tips “River Wingdams” 118 - 119

Fishing Tips “Body Fishing” 120 - 121

Fishing Tips

“Where Rivers Come Together” 122 - 123

Super Saver Offer “Flub Dub” 124 - 127

Fishing Tips “Exposed River Rocks” 128 - 129

Fishing Tips “Casting Performance” 130 - 132

Fishing Tips “Thumb Placement” 133

Fishing Tips “5-6-7-8-9-10” 134 - 136

Fishing Tips

“Locks/ Swivels & Leaders” 137 - 138

Fishing Tips “Perch” 139

Ice - Red Ball 140 - 142

Ice Jigs 143 - 148

Lure Kits 149 - 150

Fishing Tips “Fly Presentation” 151

Books 152- 157

Educational DVDs & Specials 158 - 159

Fishing Bass Tips “Nasty Wacker” 160 - 164

Fishing Tips “11-12-13” 165

Fishing Tips “Channel Edge” 166

Fishing Tips “Special Advice” 167

Fishing Tips “Nepag” 168 - 169

Fishing Tips “Wading” 170

Super Saver & Tips “Crappie” 171 - 172

Fishing Tips “Advice/Marker Buoys” 173

Fishing Tips “August Lake Trout” 174

Jigs “Hellgrammite” & Fishing Tips 175

Order Forms 176 - 179

Thank You “The Ol’ Man & ‘Bobber’ Anne” 180


✩ ✩ ✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩ ✩

MADE

USA

IN

BEST when

Twitched

ACROSS

the

Surface!

‘CuSTOm mAdE’

WOOD LURES

made in the uSA

Walkin’ 2-Pop

UPC &

Order # Size Color

40220 7 inch Red/White

40221 7 inch Clown

40222 7 inch Blue Runner

40223 7 inch Perch

40224 7 inch Fire Tiger

40225 7 inch Brown Sucker

40226 7 inch Frog

40227 7 inch Chrome

BEAVER

CUT

JUST

$24 95

EACH

51 inch

Muskie

caught by

The Ol’ Man

on a 2-Pop

NOTE: TO DESIGNATE SALTWATER TYPE, JUST ADD

AN “S” BEHIND THE COLOR ON YOUR ORDER FORM AND

YOUR 2-POP WILL ARRIVE WITH CADMIUM-PLATED

SALTWATER HOOKS.

___________________________________________________________________

GAPEN’S AMERICAN BEAVER-CUT

HANDMADE WOOD LURES ARE

MANUFACTURED IN THE U.S.A.

BY PROUD AMERICAN CRAFTERS

___________________________________________________________________

INSTRUCTIONS FOR USING

THE BEAVER CUT WALKIN’ 2-POP

The Walkin 2-Pop has a sloped, cupped nose which allows the angler to

skitter it across the surface like a walking crankbait. But, when worked like

any other popper the 2nd popper lip, at mid lure, creates a greater enticing

surface disturbance. For maximum results, the Walkin’ 2-Pop is best

walked, twitched, popped and ripped across the surface. It works on all

fresh and saltwater fish which strike on surface baits.

www.gapen.com

40238 7 inch White

40239 7 inch Orange

8

Fish Gapen’s

✩ ✩ ✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩ ✩

MADE

USA

IN

E

A

C $24.95 H

ONLY

BEAVER

UPC &

Order # Size Color

94600 6- 1 /2 inch Cisco

94601 6- 1 /2 inch Perch

94602 6- 1 /2 inch Rainbow Runner

94603 6- 1 /2 inch Sucker (Bunker)

94604 6- 1 /2 inch Red & White

94605 6- 1 /2 inch Pinfish

94606 6- 1 /2 inch Black muskie

CUT

NOTE:

The FLAT SHAD has become a terrific producer of trophy

muskie, largemouth bass, northern pike and stripers in freshwater.

In saltwater, it is a killer on striped bass, bluefish, tuna, tarpon, and

many other species which prey on fat, minnow-styled baitfish.

___________________________________________________________________





___________________________________________________________________


THE FLAT SHAD

Armed with cadmium-plated treble hooks, Gapen’s Flat Shad is

suitable for all gamefish, both fresh and saltwater. Holographic

sides highlight this ashwood lure’s ability to entice fish. Fitted with

a tough Lexan lip, the Flat Shad stands up under heavy trolling,

crushing hits, and when striking rock bottom.


‘CuSTOm mAdE’

WOOD LURES

the

Flat Shad

9

Holds

up to

Trolling!

Heavy


✩ ✩ ✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩ ✩

MADE

A

USA

IN

JOINTED

www.gapen.com

‘CuSTOm mAdE’

WOOD LURES

made in the uSA

by old world craftsmen

Waggle Minnow

WOOdEN

LURE

UPC &

Order # Size Color

40250 7 inch Red & White

40251 7 inch Pike

40252 7 inch Perch

40253 7 inch Blue Runner

40254 7 inch Walleye

40255 7 inch Sucker

40256 7 inch Muskie Black

10

BEAVER

CUT

ONLY

$21 95

EACH

Waggle Salty

Same wild waggle only we add cadmium-plated

saltwater hooks for a smashing saltwater bait.

40250s 7 inch Red & White

40251s 7 inch Pike

40252s 7 inch Perch

40253s 7 inch Blue Runner

40254s 7 inch Walleye

40255s 7 inch Sucker

40256s 7 inch Muskie Black

40258s 7 inch White

40259s 7 inch Orange





________________________________________________________________


THE WAGGLE MINNOW

ONLY

$21 95

Custom made in a small wood shop in northern Wisconsin, the

Waggle Minnow is made to special specifications of the Gapen

Company. It hosts a heavy Lexan lip which allows this lure to run

between 5 and 10 feet deep. The Waggle Minnows targeted fish

are trophy muskie, pike, stripers and all saltwater species.

Purchase the "S-Series" for Saltwater hardware and cadmium-plated

hooks.

Fish Gapen’s

EACH

“FISHING THE WORLD”

with the Ol’ man & ‘Bobber’ Anne


ATTENTION ALL

Anglers

MALE & FEMALE,

YOUNG & OLD,

BEGINNERS & EXPERIENCED

Throughout this catalog, you will find numerous informational tips on “How-To”

fish using our lures as well as others.

There will be special pages that are dedicated to “How-To” fish lake and river structures

along with which lures and presentations work best.

Dan Gapen, Sr. and 'Bobber' Anne have fished the world for hundreds of fish species.

They've worked with some of the most famous guides who are willing to pass their

expertise on to you, our customer.

From Argentina to Alaska to the Central Pacific, the hosts of:

test their skills against some of the largest trophy fish to the smallest hard-to-entice

species.

Local panfish such as perch, crappie, bluegill and rock bass are targeted as well as

giant pike, muskie, stripers and catfish. Along with these, bass, walleye and saltwater

species secrets are given up.

Gapen's “NEW” catalog is like no other buying guide you'll find

on the market. Though Dan Gapen, Sr. grew up in a true flytying

family with his father, the creator of the Original Muddler ✩ ✩

✩ ✩ ✩ USA

IN

Fly, Dan loves to angle for just

✩ ✩

about any species with fins.

✩ ✩

Hopefully, with the information ✩ ✩ ✩

contained in this catalog, it will help

you, our valued customer, catch many

more fish.

Remember, our great outdoors is yours to:

CREATE

YOUR

!

memorable

Adventure

RELAX

11

SAVOR

MADE

ENJOY!

Fish F i s h Gapen’sG a p e n ’ s

Holding

Area

F

15’

15’

Southwest

D

10’

Wind

Direction

10’

5’

5’

C

15’

5’

G

Island

5’

10’

15’

Holding

Area

N

W E

S

During those windy days of

June, all of July, and early

August, lake walleye often hold

in deepwater sanctuaries. The

one time they come up to feed,

during any hour of the day, is

when a strong southwest wind is

blowing. They do so to feed on

the baitfish which have been hiding

along the shallow edges of

an island’s south and western

edges.

Here the minnows have to

seek deeper water because of the

wind-beaten shore. Walleye

instinctively know this and

immediately migrate up to meet

the baitfish. The meeting will occur most of the time at the 5 to 8 foot depth level.

Reviewing the map, you’ll note some walleye migrate long distances to get at the floundering

baitfish. See holding area ‘e’ and the ‘feed’ point at area ‘a’. The holding area ‘F’ shows

these fish have less distance to travel, but do so in uniformity.

A red & white Flub Dub caught this

nice walleye for ‘Bobber’ Anne

www.gapen.com

B

FANTASTIC

Fishing Tips:

FROm

HImSELF!

WORKING WALLEYE

ON WINDBLOWN ISLANDS

10’

15’

5’

a

10’

10’

Holding

Area

15’ e 15’

12

Walleye

Baitfish

The same is true of those holding in area

‘G’. They migrate up to areas ‘C’ - ‘B’ and

near ‘a’, then travel along the drop circling

back into the holding area at ‘G’ once again

after feeding.

WORKING THIS

STRUCTURE:

Is best done with deep-diving

crankbaits, spinner rigged jigs,

and meat tipped jigs.

Work lighter colored lures early

in the year . . .

darker colored ones

later in the season.

Fish Gapen’s

Flub Dub

Crankbait

COMBINATION

CRANKBAIT-

SPINNERBAIT!

new

IDEAS

THAT WORK

!

Deep-Diver

Flub Dub

Trout

Perch

Red & White

Golden Roach

Pike

Herring

Fire Tiger

Green Bass

Darter

Shiner

REAL LIFE BODY FINISH

Sucker Glow

UPC &

Price

Order # Color Size Each

90643 Trout 2 1 /2 inch $6.50

90645 Trout 3 1 /2 inch $8.50

90646 Trout 4 1 /2 inch $9.50

___________________________________________________________

90647 Trout 6 1 /2 inch $12.50

90650 Perch 2 1 /2 inch $6.50

90652 Perch 3 1 /2 inch $8.50

90653 Perch 4 1 /2 inch $9.50

___________________________________________________________

90682 Perch 6 1 /2 inch $12.50

90654 Red & White 2 1 /2 inch $6.50

90656 Red & White 3 1 /2 inch $8.50

90657 Red & White 4 1 /2 inch $9.50

___________________________________________________________

90658 Red & White 6 1 /2 inch $12.50

90659 Golden Roach 2 1 /2 inch $6.50



___________________________________________________________


90663 Pike 2 1 /2 inch $6.50

90665 Pike 3 1 /2 inch $8.50

90666 Pike 4 1 /2 inch $9.50

___________________________________________________________

90667 Pike 6 1 /2 inch $12.50

90668 Herring 2 1 /2 inch $6.50

90670 Herring 3 1 /2 inch $8.50

90671 Herring 4 1 /2 inch $9.50

___________________________________________________________

90684 Herring 6 1 /2 inch $12.50

90672 Fire Tiger 2 1 /2 inch $6.50

90674 Fire Tiger 3 1 /2 inch $8.50

90675 Fire Tiger 4 1 /2 inch $9.50

___________________________________________________________

90676 Fire Tiger 6 1 /2 inch $12.50

90677 Green Bass 2 1 /2 inch $6.50

90679 Green Bass 3 1 /2 inch $8.50

90680 Green Bass 4 1 /2 inch $9.50

___________________________________________________________

90681 Green Bass 6 1 /2 inch $12.50

90685 darter 2 1 /2 inch $6.50

90687 darter 3 1 /2 inch $8.50

90688 darter 4 1 /2 inch $9.50

___________________________________________________________

90689 darter 6 1 /2 inch $12.50

90690 Shiner 2 1 /2 inch $6.50

90692 Shiner 3 1 /2 inch $8.50

90693 Shiner 4 1 /2 inch $9.50

___________________________________________________________

90694 Shiner 6 1 /2 inch $12.50

90695 Sucker (glow) 2 1 /2 inch $6.50

90696 Sucker (glow) 3 1 /2 inch $8.50

90697 Sucker (glow) 4 1 /2 inch $9.50

90698 Sucker (glow) 6 1 /2 inch $12.50

This “NEW” crankbait incorporates

the attractive flash of a

spinnerbait added to the enticing

wobble of a plug. The Flub

Dub Plug is the newest innovation

in crankbaits to hit the

fishing market in 30 years. Another Gapen original created in 2001 to enhance the

angler’s take on all species. Tested and proven by leading tournament anglers, and the

Gapen test team. all Flub Dubs are thru-wire constructed.


13


Use DARK COLORS on

Smallmouth Bass

The deep-diver Flub Dubs

were added to the Gapen line of

plugs to accommodate the angler

who searches deep water for fish

such as walleye, trout, muskie,

pike, salmon and all bass species.

Working depth range is marked

on every package.


COMBINATION

CRANKBAIT-

SPINNERBAIT!

Real lIFe

BoDy FInISH

UPC &

Price

Order # Color Size Each

91643 Trout 2 1 /2 inch $7.50

91645 Trout 3 1 /2 inch $9.50

91646 Trout 4 1 /2 inch $10.50

91647 ___________________________________________________________

Trout 6 1 /2 inch $13.50

91650 Perch 2 1 /2 inch $7.50

91652 Perch 3 1 /2 inch $9.50

91653 Perch 4 1 /2 inch $10.50

91682 ___________________________________________________________

Perch 6 1 /2 inch $13.50

91654 Red & White 2 1 /2 inch $7.50

91656 Red & White 3 1 /2 inch $9.50

91657 Red & White 4 1 /2 inch $10.50

91658 ___________________________________________________________

Red & White 6 1 /2 inch $13.50




91683 ___________________________________________________________

Golden Roach 6 1 /2 inch $13.50

91663 Pike 2 1 /2 inch $7.50

91665 Pike 3 1 /2 inch $9.50

91666 Pike 4 1 /2 inch $10.50

91667 ___________________________________________________________

Pike 6 1 /2 inch $13.50

91668 Herring 2 1 /2 inch $7.50

91670 Herring 3 1 /2 inch $9.50

91671 Herring 4 1 /2 inch $10.50

91684 ___________________________________________________________

Herring 6 1 /2 inch $13.50

91672 Fire Tiger 2 1 /2 inch $7.50

91674 Fire Tiger 3 1 /2 inch $9.50

91675 Fire Tiger 4 1 /2 inch $10.50

91676 ___________________________________________________________

Fire Tiger 6 1 /2 inch $13.50

91677 Green Bass 2 1 /2 inch $7.50

91679 Green Bass 3 1 /2 inch $9.50

91680 Green Bass 4 1 /2 inch $10.50

91681 ___________________________________________________________

Green Bass 6 1 /2 inch $13.5

91685 darter 2 1 /2 inch $7.50

91687 darter 3 1 /2 inch $9.50

91688 darter 4 1 /2 inch $10.50

91689 ___________________________________________________________

darter 6 1 /2 inch $13.50

91690 Shiner 2 1 /2 inch $7.50

91692 Shiner 3 1 /2 inch $9.50

91693 Shiner 4 1 /2 inch $10.50

91694 ___________________________________________________________

Shiner 6 1 /2 inch $13.50

91695 Sucker (glow) 2 1 /2 inch $7.50

91696 Sucker (glow) 3 1 /2 inch $9.50

91697 Sucker (glow) 4 1 /2 inch $10.50

91698 Sucker (glow) 6 1 /2 inch $13.50

14


LOOK


The Flub Dub

HOW IT WORKS

A ‘NEW’

CONCEPT IN

CRANKBAITS

Unlike other crankbaits the Flub Dub hosts the flash

of a spinner bait and the attractive wobble of a crankbait.

For those who worry that the single treble at this lure's tail end isn't enough to hold fish,

you needn't worry. Field tests proved that all species, which include bass, walleye, pike,

muskie, stripers, trout, crappie and even whitefish, as well as dozens of saltwater species

are readily caught on Gapen's Flub Dub.

The Flub Dub can be worked in several methods. A straight cast and retrieve or troll

in the normal manner works extremely well. However, it's the special methods that attract

the hard-to-catch fish.

Presentation #1: By casting to your targeted area, allow it to settle on surface, then

twitch every five seconds or so to entice a strike. Spinner flashing below the bait is the

attractant. By using such a surface presentation you represent the action of a dying fish.

Presentation #2: By stopping your retrieve every 10 feet or so and allowing the Flub

Dub to rise towards surface you activate the spinner to flutter as it rises. Thus, a tantalizing

enticement to the following fish represents the actions of a wounded baitfish.

Because of the lure's forward-mounted spinner, which replaces the front treble, the bait

is 85% snag-free when run over bottom rock and timber.

What

THE

NO

MATTER

SPECIES

NEPAGs

!

15

T H I S

LURE!

IS

Excellent

“HOW-TO” FISH THE

Nepag

The Nepag, during 14 months of testing proved to

do it

improve on the original lure by taking whitebass, muskie and

striper plus a number of saltwater species such as weakfish,

redfish, halibut, cod and flounder.

Jigging the Nepag works well in field-tests on halibut, summer flounder and rock fish

species in saltwater. In freshwater, this jigging technique is deadly on freshwater gamefish

such as walleye and the bass species.

A straight rolling retrieve will entice species such as brook, brown and rainbow trout.

Bass, pike, muskie, striper, hybrids and white bass will also succumb to the slow rolling

retrieve.

When selecting colors for the species you seek, go to the color that works best for you

in crankbaits and jigs. Orange, natural and black are “HOT” smallmouth bass and trout

colors while green works well on largemouth bass. Northern pike prefer the bright colors

while walleye color picks would be yellow and chartreuse.


✩ ✩ ✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩ ✩

MADE

USA

IN

‘REINVENTION’

OF THE ORIGINAL

Nepag

WHERE IT CAME FROM AND HOW IT WORKS

The Nepag is the angling world’s original in-line

spinner lure. Created in Nipigon, Ontario, Canada by

Don Gapen, Dan’s father in 1941. This NEW lure has

been recreated by his son, Dan. Nepags were originally

made to encourage the world famous brook trout of

the Nipigon River. It was then copied by John Hodack

of the Paul Bunyan Bait Company in St. Paul,

Minnesota, thus the Paul Bunyan 66 was born. Next the

66 was copied when the Erie Dearie weight-forward

spinner came to be. Casting and retrieving this lure

requires a slow lifting and lowering

of rod tip for best results. A

similar method is used when

trolling. Jigging bottom with a

slow lift and lower will produce all

bottom hugging game fish such as

bass and walleye. The Nepag

hosts a “glow” head made of tin, a

light flashing holographic spinner,

and upriding snagfree hook

and a deerhair body which holds

scenting 10 times longer than

plastic.

Cast Direction

Surface

Presentation: No. 2.

Vertically jig the Nepag.

Allow it to settle to the

bottom, then raise it a foot

or so, lower and repeat. This

presentation is enhanced by

tipping the Nepag with live

or cut bait.


16

new

IDEAS

THAT WORK

FOR YOU

Presentation: No. 1

Cast, allow it to settle to the

bottom, then lift and lower

as the Nepag rolls up off the

bottom, then settles once again.

The Nepag can be worked

through weed growth due to its

snagfree hook position.

Wind

Direction Drift Direction


!

✩ ✩ ✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩ ✩

MADE

USA

IN

UPC &

Order # Color

Size

11550 Natural 1 /8 oz.

11551 Yellow 1/8 oz.

11552 Orange 1/8 oz.

11553 Chartreuse 1/8 oz.

11554 Black 1/8 oz.

11555 Green 1 /8 oz.

‘NEW LINE’

OF LuRES

the

Nepag

EACH

_________________________________________________________

11570 Natural 3 /8 oz.

11571 Yellow 3 THE

/8 oz.

11572 Orange 3 ORIGINAL

/8 oz.

11573 Chartreuse 3 /8 oz.

11574 Black 3 /8 oz. EACH

11575 _________________________________________________________

Green 3/8 oz.

11580 Natural 5/8 oz.

11581 Yellow 5 /8 oz.

11582 Orange 5 /8 oz.

11583 Chartreuse 5 /8 oz.

11584 Black 5 /8 oz.

11585 Green 5 /8 oz.


11533 Chartreuse (glow) 3 /8 oz.

11534 Black 3/8 oz.

11535 Green 3/8 oz.

THE

ORIGINAL

$5 95

$6 95

THE

ORIGINAL

$7 95

EACH

_________________________________________________________

LIVEBAIT

RIG

$4 95

EACH

The Nepag

In freshwater the Nepag is a killer!!!

– BUT WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW –

is that in saltwater the 5.8 oz. and 1 1 /2 oz. Nepags

are equally deadly as the Gapen group photo

below reveals.

Though the Nepag was designed to attract

freshwater species . . . this multi-facet design is equivalently

deadly on saltwater fish. With its glow head and holographic

flashing spinner combined with supreme scent holding deer hair

and feathers,

this design

seduces all

saltwater

species.

speci al

NEW

LURE

FROm

GAPEN’S

Livebait Rig

✩ ✩ ✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩ ✩

MADE

USA

IN

UPC &

Order # Color

Size

11587 White 5/8 oz.

11588 Pink & White 5/8 oz.

11589 Blue & White 5 /8 oz.

11590 Chrt. & White 5 /8 oz.

11591 Black & White 5 /8 oz.

UPC &

Order # Color

Size

11793 Natural 1 1 /2 oz.

11794 Yellow 1 1 /2 oz.

11795 Orange 1 1 /2 oz.

11796 Chartreuse 1 1 /2 oz.

11797 Black 1 1 /2 oz.

11798 Green 1 1 /2 oz.

UPC &

Order # Color

Size

11593 White 1 1 /2 oz.

11594 Blue & White 1 1 /2 oz.

11595 Chrt. & White 1 1 /2 oz.

11596 Pink & White 1 1 /2 oz.

11597 Black & White 1 1 /2 oz

UPC &

Order # Color

Size

11780 Natural 1 oz.

11781 Yellow 1 oz.

11782 Orange 1 oz.

11783 Chartreuse 1 oz.

11784 Black 1 oz.

11785 Green 1 oz

‘NEW LINE’

OF LuRES

the

Nepag

BIG GAME

“FEATHERED”

SALT

WATER

$8 95

“HAIR”

FRESH

WATER

$10 95

“FEATHERED”

SALT

WATER

$10 95

“HAIR”

FRESH

WATER

Cod caught on 1 1 /2 oz.

pink Nepag

EACH

EACH

EACH

$8 95

EACH

Deadly

in-line

SPINNER

FOR BIG

Gamefish

It is a

Freshwater

proven

fact that

feathers

and mylar

are far

more productive

on

saltwater

species

such as

grouper,

redfish,

and flat

fishes

than

deer

hair.

Thus,

Gapen’s

produce

this

saltwater

Nepag

Saltwater

as a

special lure for the anglers who work

shallow or deep

saltwater.

King Mackerel

caught on a

1 1 /2 oz.white

Nepag

Alaska assortment on the Nepag


17



Snook caught

on a 5 /8 oz.

black

Nepag

18

Bluefish

caught on

1 1 /2 oz.

chartreuse

colored

Nepag


GAPEN’S ALWAYS RELIABLE

Lure

THE BIG JIG

The Gapen crew has fished the saltwaters of Alaska

with fantastic results on all bottom fish using the 1 1 /2 oz.

and 3 oz. Big Jigs. Ask any of them when you call in your order (toll-free number: 877-623-

2099) about the successes they achieved when the Big Jigs were worked in water from 70’ to

170’ deep. They’ll tell you that this jig need only be dropped to the bottom, then jigged repeatedly

as its reeled in for great results on all saltwater bottom fish.

THE GIRLS PUT A HURT ON

ALASKA’S BOTTOM FISH

WITH BIG JIGS

Jen

with a

Halibut

UPC &

Order # Color Size

18148 White 1 1 /2 oz.

18141 Yellow 1 1 /2 oz.

18142 Black 1 1 /2 oz.

18143 Chartreuse 1 1 /2 oz.

18144 Silver Glitter 1 1 /2 oz.

18145 Gold Glitter 1 1 /2 oz.

18146 Purple Glitter 1 1 /2 oz.

________________________________________________________

18147 Orange 1 1 /2 oz.

NOTE: NEW SIZE

18250 White 3 oz.

18251 Yellow 3 oz.

18252 Black 3 oz.

18253 Chartreuse 3 oz.

18254 Silver Glitter 3 oz.

18255 Gold Glitter 3 oz.

18256 Purple Glitter 3 oz.

18257 Orange 3 oz

$ 6 95

Debbie

with a

Black

Seabass

EACH

with an

extra tail

$

7 95

EACH

with an

extra tail

COLd WATER ‘JumBO’

Flathead Cats

ON THE ‘BIG JIG’

Each winter season, when water temperature falls

beneath 45˚ there comes a migration of huge flathead cats to

the structure below the large lock & dam systems of North

America. They force in on any deepwater structure, (a pocket

or hole) directly downriver from the dam. Though water

temps are extremely cold, these huge fish continue to feed.

This is where the BIG JIG comes in play. By vertically

working the Big Jig slowly among these tightly schooled

fish the knowing angler will take more than his share of

trophies. Look for water depth from 18’ to 24’ in an area

directly behind a structure such as a wingdam or lift in

river bottom. Choose days which are sunny, after a

warmup in air temperature. If you are hearty enough

there’s huge flatheads there for the taking.

This 9” twist style jig works on all large gamefish

which normally can be caught with a jig style lure. The

hooks are heavy duty and can be used in salt water as well

as fresh. Excellent jig on striper, lake trout, northern

pike, muskie, and even large trophy walleye and largemouth

bass. Saltwater species such as tarpon, amberjack, tuna

and yellow tailed jack find this lure attractive.

HUGE FISH = 3 OZ. BIG JIGS

3 OZ. BIG JIGS = 150 FT. OF dEPTH

WHICH EQuALS 50 FEET PER ONE OuNCE

‘THE MONSTER FISH FORMULA’

65 years ago when I guided northern Ontario we were always asked what lures tourists should

bring to catch trophy pike and lake trout . . . our consistent & continual answer was: “BIG BAITS

CATCH BIG FISH”!

It was a truth which my guests proved out day after day. Small lures, for the most part, catch

average-sized or small fish. Think about it!!! A 30 lb. pike’s stomach often contains a 3 lb. pike or walleye.

A 30 lb. lake trout, when stomach contents are examined will give up a 3 lb. - 4 lb. whitefish.

If you need further proof . . . monster lake trout, halibut, grouper or striper come out of water

depths from 60 ft. - 150 ft. Try getting a 1/2 oz. - 1 oz. lure down to these trophies. It can be done but

usually the line, rod and reel are too light to land such a fish from these depths. It takes 20 - 50 lb. test

line to horse these brutes to the surface. And, it takes

a large, heavy lure to get down and attract an edible

target. So, the 3 oz. Big Jig is ideal to do the job.

‘Bobber’ Anne

with a

Rockfish

Debbie

with a

Yellow eye

Rockfish

TIP: To add enticement to your Big Jig try placing

a narrow strip of belly fat (8” - 10”) cut from

a previously caught fish. Hook it by one end, let

it dangle out behind or beside the large twist tail

on the Big Jig. Now you’ve added a scent to the

already attractive lure.


19

F i s h

G a p e n ’ s


20


✩ ✩ ✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩ ✩

MADE

Buy any 3

Weedcutters

for only:

USA

IN


White/Red Blade

‘HOT’ LuRES

Weedcutter

Spinnerbait

FOR PIKE, MUSKIE

& ALL GAMEFISH

Yellow/Orange Blade

$9 95

EACH

Black/Red Blade

40090 White 9 inch

Chartreuse/Char. Blade

3-PACK

40091 Yellow 9 inch

40092 Black 9 inch

40093 Chartreuse 9 inch

$5 95

40094 Orange 9 inch

EACH

Orange/Orange Blade

40095 Silver Glitter 9 inch

40096 Gold Glitter 9 inch

40097 Purple 9 inch

Silver/Silver Blade

The 1.5 oz. “Weedcutter ” spinnerbait isn’t new to

the Gapen line of tackle, but this size is. Years ago, Dan

Gapen, Sr. created the first willow leaf spinner bait for

the fishing industry in smaller bass sizes. It was an

Gold/Gold Blade instant success. Unlike all the other spinner baits, the

Weedcutter

has a unique ability to travel through

weeds, brush, stumps and willow without hanging up.

It’s deadly on northern pike, muskie, largemouth bass

Purple/Red Blade

and even giant striper.

WORKING Black/Copper Muskie

THE WEEDCUTTER

Special

The Weedcutter was field tested during the

summers of 1996 and 1997.

This “NEW” lure proved to be lethal

on trophy gamefish.

The Weedcutter SPECIAL

was especially deadly

on muskie and giant northern pike.

Attracting these two species was best

pricing! done by retrieving in a slow rolling manner

$24 95 through and over dense cover.

21

HOT

UPC &

Order # Color

40080 White/Red Blade

40081 Yellow/Orange Blade

40082 Black/Red Blade

40083 Chartreuse/Char. Blade

40084 Orange/Orange Blade

40085 Silver Glitter/Silver Blade

40086 Gold Glitter/Copper Blade

40087 Purple/Red Blade

40088 Black/Copper (muskie Special)

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

3 PACK OF EXTRA TAILS

item!

1.5 oz.

WITH AN

EXTRA

TAIL

$9 95


FANTASTIC

Fishing Tips:

FROm

HImSELF!

NORTHERN PIKE ON SPINNER BAITS

It was a long time ago when I caught my first northern pike on an ancient spinner

bait. It was one made by the Gapen company called the WEEDCUTTER . The

year was 1966. The place was a small lake in northern Ontario called Frazer Lake, near

the town of Nipigon. It was near Nipigon that I was raised, and was on this lake that

I spent many days guiding as a 15-year-old youth ... I’d come back, along with a fishing

companion to try once again to catch the mighty pike that this lake was so noted for.

Gapen’s Weedcutter Spinner Bait was the first on the market to incorporate a

willow leaf blade instead of the normally used round Colorado style.

Gapen’s had placed a willow leaf blade on the Weedcutter so the lure could be

retrieved through the water without the normal heavy pulsating pull created by the

round bladed baits.

Not only did the willow blade retrieve easier but Gapen had discovered by replacing

the round blade with the slimmer long blade, his new spinner bait traversed weed

beds without becoming entangled in most kinds of weeds. Thus was founded the

lure’s name, The Weedcutter .

_________________________________________________________________________________________

During the previous hour, my fishing buddy Dave Conn and I had worked the

western edge of the ten mile long lake. So far, our reward had been limited to four pike

between 2.5 and 4 pounds. Not good considering Frazer was noted for holding countless

numbers of trophy pike. During my early

years while guiding Frazer, I’d taken hundreds of

fish over 15 pounds.

“David, we used to use a trick to get pike to

strike when they were just following and not hitting,

as they are today,” I commented as David

moaned a complaint as another 10 to 12 pounder

turned away at the boat.

That’s the way it had been going for the

past hour ... follow, after follow, after follow,

but no strikes.

“We’re going to troll a long-line right

along this area where we’ve had all these follows.

And, David, we are going to troll fast,” I

laid out the plan while turning the boat parallel

to shoreline.

Placing the boat right on top of the area

where light water turned to dark I began to

speed up. The exact point was where water

depth dropped from 5 feet of depth to 8 feet.

Pushing the old ten horse Johnson motor

The Ol’ Man with a 29 lb. pike

on a yellow Weedcutter


to half throttle, our boat began to rapidly run

shoreline. Line was let out and my bright

yellow Weedcutter disappeared beneath

22


FANTASTIC

Fishing Tips:

FROm

HImSELF!

NORTHERN PIKE ON SPINNER BAITS

(continued)

water 125 feet behind us. Dave did the same with a red-bladed, white-bodied

Weedcutter . Both baits traversed beneath water 125 and 150 feet behind us.

Estimated speed was 6 to 8 miles an hour.

Dave indicated he thought the speed was excessive

and that ‘NO Pike’ in Frazer Lake would be capable of

catching up with a lure trolled this fast.

No sooner had the words escaped Dave’s mouth,

his rod tip slammed down hard and line began to peel

away as the reel screamed protest. There was no need to

set the hook, there never is when speed trolling; boat

speed had done that.

With the motor stopped, Dave fought the first

decent fish to boat. Upon lifting it over the gunnel the

pike weighed-in slightly over 10 pounds. After a picture

was taken, the pike was released.

“That’s more like it, Gapen. You said this lake had

good sized pike in it. But, I can’t believe it took trolling

a spinner bait to entice one,” my fishing buddy commented

as he readied to cast back behind the boat for

another go at trolling up northern pike.

During the next three hours on Frazer Lake, David

and I boated and released 34 pike ranging in weight

from 4.5 to 18.5 pounds. All were taken via the fast

trolling presentation. Whenever we attempted to cast,

to check out our theory, the same ‘follow to boat’ reaction

came from the Frazer Lake pike.

I’d first used speed trolling while guiding the water

near my parents’ fishing resort on the Nipigon River

“Beat this one, Ol’ Man!”

Caught on your favorite

yellow Weedcutter

watershed. Then it was a devil spoon used as the fast troll bait. Today, it had been

a modern bass bait called the spinner bait. Today’s bait had cut the water with

greater ease and less resistance than the old reliable devil spoon. There was another

factor which impressed Dave and I. The spinner bait could be trolled faster and

seemed to hold beneath surface better. At one point, we trolled the 10 horse motor

at 3/4 throttle, reaching a speed of near ten miles an hour. Even so, the pike were

able to smash the bait with ease.

Today, speed trolling has become a proven technique used by many hardcore

pike fisherman. Most of these use a spinner bait as their key lure. The reason for

this lure being the best, is that crankbaits and spoons fail to hold beneath surface at

high speeds.

When applying the speed trolling technique for northern pike, it seems to

work best at a point along the shoreline where water depth drops off from 5 feet of

depth. A reason for this is that northern pike are found to stage off shoreline, during

summer days, in the six to eight foot water depth mark.


23


The Flicker

“HOW-TO” WORK IT

Gapen’s FLICKER is used in a similar fashion

to a lead head jig. Action given the lure is to lift

Wind Direction

and lower the lure in irate movements with a

‘twitch’ and ‘roll’ in between lifting and lowering.

Because the lure is made of a light tinput

material, an environmentally safe metal, and has

a slight bend to its body, the Flicker has a natural

side to side motion when lifted and lowered.

By reviewing the diagram on the right, we’ll

take the angler through ‘How-To’ use the Flicker

in deeper waters.

‘a’ and ‘C’ represent the lure as it is dropped

towards the bottom. Once this has been obtained

the angler should lift the Flicker off the bottom -

twitch it a couple of times - then retrieve a turn or

two on your reel handle. After the flick or twitch,

allow the lure to settle once again, but not quite

all the way to the bottom (leave a foot or two). At

this point, flick the lure once again and lift

upwards. Depending on where the targeted fish

are in the water column, this same action is

repeated all the way to the surface.

If such action does not produce a strike the

entire process is repeated once again at the point

marked ‘B’. Points ‘B’ and ‘D’ represent the

retrieved track of the Flicker as it is brought

back to the surface. This erratic action of the

Flicker represents the movement of an escaping

baitfish or a wounded minnow.

To increase the attractiveness of a Flicker the

angler may elect to tip one of the treble hooks

barbs with the head (only the head) of the areas

most used minnow. This maneuver will add a

desired scent to the bait.

When working trout and bluegill add a maggot

a B C D

to a 1/32 oz. size. For crappie and perch add a minnow head to a 1/16 oz. size, For

smallmouth bass add a tiny piece of crawler to a 1/8 oz. size. And, for walleye, striper,

lake trout and largemouth bass, add a minnow head to a 1/4 oz. and 1 oz. size. The

Flicker can also be just as fatal on northern pike.

Surprisingly, this is an extremely effective lure on all salmons, brown trout and lake

trout in the 1/4 oz. and 1 oz. size. It can be casted, allowed to sink, lifted and retrieved,

then allowed to settle once again. Such a retrieve represents a wounded baitfish

attempting to revive itself in the water column.


24


✩ ✩ ✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩ ✩

MADE

LOOK

UPC

USA

IN

In Europe they call

this lure a pilker.

We call it a

FLICKER. In

Europe they fish

this lure like a jig. A

Flicker is considered

the number one lure in all

of Europe and most of Russia and its

satellite countries. The name Pilker

means minnow in German.

Gapen’s first introduced the

Flicker in a testing program in the

year 2001. Added to its European

style cousin look alike, Gapen’s introduced

the Flickers in GLOW paint

and a holographic finish. These fish

luring qualities were then topped off

with a bright red treble hook, a feature

incorporated in many US manufactured

lures. Anglers claim red

hooks represent a bloodied bait, making

it far more attractive to gamefish.

Use the 1/32 oz. and

1/16 oz. size for all

panfish the 1/8

oz. and 1/4 oz.

size for larger

gamefish, such

as bass, walleye

and trout.

www.gapen.com

PILKER

means

MINNOW

IN

German

1/16 oz.

1/4 oz.

1 oz.

!

A ‘NEW’ CONCEPT

IN JIGGING

The Flicker

UPC &

Order #

Color

90340 Shad

1/64 oz.

90341 mud minnow

1 inch

90343 Perch

90344 Purple darter

90345 Chartreuse (glow)

90346 Pink

EACH EACH

90347 Sucker

90348 Gold

90349 Chrome

90339 _______________________________________________________________________

Red / White

90440 Shad

90441 Sucker

1/32 oz.

90442 mud minnow

1 inch

90443 Perch

90444 Purple darter


EACH

90446 Blue / White (glow)

EACH

90447 Pink / White (glow)

90435 _______________________________________________________________________

Red ____/ / White (glow)

90450 Shad

90451 Sucker

1/16 oz.

90452 mud minnow

90453 Perch

1 1 /2 inch

90454 Purple darter


EACH


EACH


90436 _______________________________________________________________________

Red / White (glow)

90460 Shad

90461 Sucker

1/8 oz.

90462 mud minnow

2 inch

90463 Perch

90464 Purple darter


EACH

EACH



90437 _______________________________________________________________________

Red / White (glow)

90470 Shad

90471 Sucker

1/4 oz.

90472 mud minnow

90473 Perch

2 1 /2 inch

90474 Purple darter


EACH



EACH

90438 _______________________________________________________________________

Red / White (glow)

90480 Shad

90481 Sucker

1/2 oz.

90482 mud minnow

3 inch

90483 Perch

90484 Purple darter


EACH


EACH


90439 _______________________________________________________________________

Red / White (glow)

90490 Shad

2 oz.



6 inch


90498 Chrome

EACH

EACH

25

$2 95

$2 35

$2 95

$2 35

$3 25

$2 65

$3 50

$2 95

$3 $3 95 95

$4 $4 95 95

$7 95

Fish Gapen’s

STOP

UPC &

Order # Color

93200 Shad

93201 Sucker

93202 Perch


93204 Pink (glow)

93205

93206

Blue / White

Chrome

(glow)

93207 Gold

93220 Shad

93221 Sucker

93222 Perch


93224 Pink (glow)

93225

93226

Blue / White

Chrome

(glow)

93227 Gold

93240 Shad

93241 Sucker

93242 Perch


93244 Pink (glow)


93246 Chrome

93247 Gold

93260 Shad

93261 Sucker

93262 Perch


93264 Pink (glow)


93266 Chrome

93267 Gold

EA.

_________________________________________________________

EA.

_________________________________________________________

EA.

_________________________________________________________

Whether you fish ice or

open water, this NEW

lure will capture any fish

you seek.

The Flicker BT

LOAdEd WITH GAPEN’S NEW ANISE-SCENTEd REd BALL(see below),

A mINNOW OR A GRuB, THE FLICKER BT dOES THE TRICK ON ALL GAmEFISH.

93260

93261

93262

93263

93264

93265

93266

93267

93268

Chrome

Sucker

Perch

Chartreuse

Pink

Blue

Chrome

Gold

Red/White (glow)

www.gapen.com

#12

1 inch

1/32 oz.

$3 95

#10

1 1 /2 inch

1/16 oz.

$4 25

#4

2 1 /2 inch

1/8 oz.

$4 95

#2

3 inch

1/4 oz.

$5 95

#2

EA.

$5 95

4

(glow)

1/2 inch

oz.

(glow)

$ 95

EA.

(glow)

_______4__________

26

ANGLERS - Pick up an underwater

DVD (see page 158)

which will show you how well this

BT works on panfish!!!

Fish Gapen’s

SUPER SAVER BUYS

For our panfish customers!

THE KIT INCLUDES

PLUS

PLUS


PANFISH/PERCH FLOAT

& FLICKER ‘ALL SEASON’ KIT

INTRODUCING A

NEW FISHING

PRESENTATION

ATTENTION - ALL ANGLERS:

This is ‘one-heck-of-a-deal’ !!!

If you want the hottest and newest panfish weapon to add to

your arsenal, you must buy this all-inclusive panfish/perch

kit. Complete instructions are included within each kit.

This “SUPER SAVER” kit provides all the items an angler

will need to fish. These are the hottest jigging spoons that

Gapen’s have created in 20 years. The kit comes with all the

necessary float and slipknots for you to use in conjunction

with the NEW Flickers and Flicker BTs for open water and

over a targeted panfish structure. It can also to be used under

the ice during the winter season.

For added success a 24-pack of the NEWLY ‘Anise-scented’

Red Balls is included. As shown on the enclosed instructional

DVD, these Red Balls are especially deadly on panfish such

as perch. Scented with the fish-attracting liquid anise oil, the

Red Ball eggs attract all species of fish from perch to walleye

to salmon and all sorts of bottom feeders.

NO TACKLE BOX IS FULLY COMPLETE

UNLESS YOU HAVE THESE!

HavInG TRoUBle CaTCHInG JUMBo PeRCH?

Learn a new way to attract the jumbos

you’ve always wanted

TURn WInTeR InTo SUMMeR WITH GaPen’S

‘neW’ PeRCH CaTCHInG SySTeM

It all began with a gang of boys fishing off the pier in

downtown Chicago. This new system has now migrated to

boat harbors such as Milwaukee, Wisconsin and to piers and

boat harbors all over the U.S.

29


GAPEN’S

Catch Jumbo Perch Kit

(continued)

The group of Mexican youth, who Dan Gapen, Sr.

fondly nicknamed the ‘Border Jumpers’ began this newstyle

of perch fishing due to all the open water the

Chicago waterfront was experiencing the late fall of 2011

and winter of 2012.

Being fans of Gapen’s Flicker jigs, Carlos, the head

angler wasn’t able to find the NEW Red Balls in the

Chicago market but he had obtained a pack from a friend

in late October to try out. These had been purchased

directly from Gapen’s due to a writer’s article in a local

paper. The Red Balls were deadly on big perch. Carlos

soon found out these Red Balls were just what he

needed when worked on a 1/16 oz. Flicker directly off

the pier.

One problem existed. HOW WOULD HE GET

THEM OUT TO THE TRAVELING SCHOOLS,

which traveled yards off the pier?

The idea of using one of Gapen’s perch floats

came to mind.

a neW ConCePT In PeRCH FISHInG

Soon CaMe To Be.

CARLOS now rigged the Red Ball on an eight

inch Slip-N-Lock Float – set a bobber stop at 18

feet – tied on a NEW FLICKER BT with a single

Red Ball implanted on one of the barbs –

cast the rigging 25 feet off the pier and waited.

It didn’t take long before the first perch bit.

Thus the landing of the first jumbo perch in

November birthed a new system of perch

angling.

“YOU HAVE A QUESTION???”

How did Carlos get action to his lure?

That was simple. By twitching his rod tip every so

often the Flicker – Red Ball loaded bait was given all

the movement needed to attract perch. Remember, the

Red Ball scent, its red color and its egg shape does much

to attract the fish. Thus, much of the movement needed

on other baits isn’t required. Actually, the lack of movement

is preferred while allowing the big perch time to

engage the bait.

Now, Carlos had a vehicle which enabled him and his

buddies to reach out off the piers and docks to get at the

schools of fish they normally miss by casting a lure out


30

PLUS

Equals

PLUS

Two nice perch caught

with the ‘New System’ in

Lake Michigan


GAPEN’S

Catch Jumbo Perch Kit

(continued)

schools of fish they normally miss by casting a lure out

and estimating how deep to run it and retrieving it in.

Using this new way of presenting the jigging presentation

of Flicker and Red Balls he was able to hold in

the fish strike zone as long as it took. And, proper

action could be given the deadly combo anytime it was

necessary.

Carlos and his friends now became the

“talk-of-the-town”.

We put the ‘NEW SYSTEM’ together in a convenient kit.

A $44.29 value – all for the trial price of only $29.95

EACH KIT INCLUDES

(1 of each)

2 - 1 /32 oz. Flicker BTs $7.90

2 - 1 /16 oz. Flicker BTs $8.50

1 - 8” Bream Slip-N-Lock Float $3.35

1 - Pack of Bobber Stops $3.00

1 - (24-pk.) of Anise Red Ball Eggs $4.25

2 - 1 /16 oz. Flickers $5.30

1 - Instructional DVD $9.95

1 - Plastic Fishing Box $2.00

_______________

Gently move

rod tip to

bounce the

slip float

which

creates lure

action to

flicker

below.

(Repeat every

15 seconds)

(plus shipping and handling)

If you have the spirit of

adventure fishing in mind

and enjoy trying out NEW

ways to catch big fish, here’s

your chance.

All the gear enclosed in

the special PERCH KIT can

be used in the winter as well.

TOTAL RETAIL COST $44.29

SUPER

SAVER $

29 95

I N S T R U C T I O N S

ARE SIMPLE!!!

Estimate the depth the

COST:

targeted fish are at, set your

slip knot accordingly. Rig your

float to match that depth.

Select a Flicker of your choice - insert one Red Ball egg on one of the lure’s treble barbs -

then cast out.

To add action to your Flicker offering, twitch your rod tip slightly every 10 seconds or so.

If you prefer, a live minnow can be used on the Flicker BT or a grub on the Flicker.

(See the enclosed instructional DVD for directions).

To order go to our website or tear out this page and mail directly to:

The Gapen Company • 17910 - 87th Street • Becker, MN 55308

Ph: (763) 263-3558 • Fax: (763) 263-3891 • Toll Free: 877-623-2099 (orders only)

E-mail: gapen@gapen.com • www.gapen.com

Have your credit card ready when ordering by phone!


31


FANTASTIC

Fishing Tips:

FROm

HImSELF!

Crappie Vixen

– SPECIAL FEATURES –

It’s all in the hair used on the Crappie Vixen that makes this jig lure so

incredibly special.

No matter what color the arctic fox hair which dresses this jig, it’s the unique

texture of the hair that creates this one-of-a-kind pulsation.

The arctic fox is protected by a pure white coat of hair during winter which is

constructed with two distinct textures. The outer hair is a bit coarser than the

undercoat hair but both are much finer than any other animal with the exception

of an arctic rabbit. However, it is the near feather-like underhair that causes this

jig to pulsate, or work, even when the jig has come completely to a stop.

This stopping of the Crappie Vixen becomes twice as effective than its

competitors when suspended beneath a bobber.

Like any other jig it can be cast to the target, allowed to sink to the desired

depth, then worked upwards in short spurts of six

inches, then twitched and the process repeated

over and over until it has covered the area you

search out.

It also can be dropped directly down in a vertical

manner, on the targeted species, then

allowed to hold a moment, and jigged in short

steps towards the surface.

In both presentations it is advised to hold your

hesitation slightly longer than you normally

would.

REMEMBER:

The inner hair of the

arctic fox will continue

to pulsate much longer

than 99% of other hair

used in fishing jigs,

thus drawing the fish

to you more frequently.

A SLOW PRESENTATION

IS EVEN MORE IMPORTANT

WHEN WORKING

THE CRAPPIE VIXEN

THAN USING ANY

OTHER JIG LURE.

F i s h G a p e n ’ s w w w. g a p e n . c o m

32

White Arctic Fox hair is limited in

supply which may create a delay in your order

reaching you. Even so, this tantalizing fishenticing

material captures the attention of

panfish like none other before it. Every panfish

and trout angler must have an

assortment in

his/her tackle

box.

Buy 12 (one dozen)

for only:

And you pick the

colors!!!

Made with Arctic fox hair

SPECIAL

pricing!

$15 99


✩ ✩ ✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩ ✩

MADE

USA

IN

www.gapen.com

A ‘MUST HAVE’ JIG

IN ALL TACKLE

BOXES

Crappie Vixen Jig

GaPen’S CRaPPIe vIxen JIG IS MaDe FRoM

WHITe aRCTIC Fox HaIR TIeD on a non-leaD

HeaD. THIS neW JIG HoSTS THe FISH aPPeal

anD PUlSaTIon oF MaRaBoU anD THe

STRenGTH oF PolaR BeaR HaIR. THe JIG’S

InTRIGUInG aCTIon enTICeS all SPeCIeS BUT

IS eSPeCIally PoTenT on PanFISH anD

TRoUT.

UPC & Head Body

Or. No. Color Color

18000 Yellow Yellow

18001 Orange Black

18002 ChartreuseChartreuse

18003 White White

1/32 oz.

18004 Pink White

18005 Black Chartreuse

18006 Black Black

18007 ChartreuseWhite

18008 Pink Pink

18009 Pink Purple

18010 Orange Yellow EA.

18011 White Blue

18012 ChartreuseBlack

_______________________________________________________________________

18013 Orange White

18014 Yellow Yellow

18015 Orange Black


18017 White White

1/16 oz.

18018 Pink White


18020 Black Black


18022 Pink Pink

18023 Pink Purple

18024 Orange Yellow EA.

18025 White Blue


_______________________________________________________________________

18027 Orange White

18030 Yellow Yellow

18031 Orange Black


18033 White White

1/8 oz.

18034 Pink White


18036 Black Black


18038 Pink Pink

18039 Pink Purple

18040 Orange Yellow

18041 White Blue

EA.


18043 Orange White

33

APPEALS

to

ALL !

panfish

$

1 69

$

1 79

$

2 09

Fish Gapen’sa p e n ’ s

✩ ✩ ✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩ ✩

MADE

USA

IN

www.gapen.comw w. g a p e n . c o m

‘CuSTOm mAdE’

WOOd LuRES

Walk- N -Lizard

BEAVER

Signature surface lure for trophy fish!

Red & White

Blue Mackerel

Chartreuse Dot

Yellow Perch

Black Dot

Bluegill

Whitefish

Fire Tiger

“SIGNATURE”

SURFACE LURES

are made with the finest

ashwood available which,

in turn, is impregnated with

special modern preservatives

which create a nearly

destroy-proof lure.

UPC &

Order # Color

Size

40140 Sucker 6 inch

40141 Red & White 6 inch

40142 Blue mackerel 6 inch

____________________________________

40150 Red & White 9 inch

40151 Blue mackerel 9 inch

40152 Chartreuse dot 9 inch

40153 Yellow Perch 9 inch

40154 Black dot 9 inch

40155 Green mackerel 9 inch

40156 Whitefish 9 inch

40157 Bluegill 9 inch

40158 Fire Tiger 9 inch

40159 Sucker 9 inch

40169 Shad 9 inch

CUT

2 sizes

available

$24 95

EACH

SPECIALLY

CARVED

BY

USA

CRAFTSMEN

Dan Gapen’s Walk-N-Lizard is constructed

of ashwood, the hardest of the floating

hardwoods, has a stainless thru-wire core and

hosts extra strong Mustad treble hooks. It is

impregnated with space age resins to prevent

wood rot, then covered with three coats of

epoxy and dipped in a crystal clear heavy-duty

acrylic. Gapen’s Walk-N-Lizard is nearly

impossible to break. Originally designed to

work peacock bass in South America this lure

has worked equally well on northern pike, large

bass and trophy muskie.

Presentation #1: This 6” smaller size lizard

works on largemouth bass, as well as trophy

muskie, pike and stripers. The main thing an

angler must remember is to work the lizard

slower, ever so slow.

Presentation #2: For best results rip these

lizards fast for 6 feet . . . stop . . . twitch gently

. . . then rip once again and repeat.

34


A dEAdLY

mARABOu TAILEd WEAPON

Freshwater Shrimp

UPC &

Order # Color Size


17221 Brown 1/64 oz.

1/64 ounce

17224 Pink 1/64 oz.

17240 Orange 1/64 oz.

$2 00

17241 White 1/64 oz.

17222

17223

Grey

Olive

1/64 oz.

1/64 oz.

17367 Grey 1/16 oz.

M 17368 Olive 1/16 oz.

17369 Pink 1/16 oz.

ILLION

17370 Orange 1/16 oz. $2 50

17371 White 1/16 oz.

17372 Blue 1/16 oz. EACH

17373 Chartreuse 1/16 oz. with glitter

17374 Purple 1/16 oz. and

17375 Yellow 1/16 oz. marabou tail

17376 _____________________________________________________________________

Black 1/16 oz.

S

OLD


17243 Chartreuse 1/64 oz. with silver

17244 Purple 1/64 oz. glitter tail

17245 Yellow 1/64 oz.

1/64 oz. Shrimp 17246 _____________________________________________________________________

Black 1/64 oz.

Highly on bluegill, 17350 Natural 1/32 oz.

17351 Brown 1/32 oz.

1/32 ounce

effective crappie,

tinsel -

17352 Grey 1/32 oz.

perch,

tailed

17353 Olive 1/32 oz.

bass,

17354 Pink 1/32 oz.

trout,

17355 Orange 1/32 oz.

KILLER whitefish, 17356 White 1/32 oz.

& walleye

$2 25


OVER

17358 Chartreuse 1/32 oz. with gold

17359 Purple 1/32 oz. glitter tail

17360 Yellow 1/32 oz.

17361 _____________________________________________________________________

Black 1/32 oz.


5 17366 Brown 1/16 oz. 1/16 ounce



17381 Brown 1/8 oz.

17382 Grey 1/8 oz.

17383 Olive 1/8 oz.

17384 Pink 1/8 oz.


17386 White 1/8 oz.

17387 Blue 1/8 oz.


17389 Purple 1/8 oz.


17391 Black 1/8 oz.

1/8 ounce

$2 75

EACH

with glitter

and

marabou tail

✩ ✩ ✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩ ✩

MADE

USA

IN

HANd-TIEd

‘SPECIAL’ JIGS

Freshwater

Shrimp

UPC &

Order # Color Size


17396 Brown 1/4 oz.

17397 Grey 1/4 oz.

17398 Olive 1/4 oz.

17399 Pink 1/4 oz.


17401 White 1/4 oz.

17402 Blue 1/4 oz.


17404 Purple 1/4 oz.


17406 Black 1/4 oz.

35 F i s h

G a p e n ’ s

w w w. g a p e n . c o m F i s h G a p e n ’ s

36

‘Bobber’ Anne with a 6 lb.

brook trout, caught

on a grey

Freshwater Shrimp

Individually

hand

TIED

Made with a tantalizing tail of marabou and glitter

flash, then combined with a body structure similar to a

Wooly Bugger fly to make Gapen’s freshwater shrimp in

1/16 oz., 1/8 oz., and 1/4 oz. such a

!

MADE

I N

deadly fish enticer. All heads are

nickel plated and can be used in

both freshwater and saltwater.

Over 5 million of the smaller

1/64 oz. and 1/32 oz. sizes were

sold the first 5 years they came

out for panfish.

1/4 ounce

$3 00

EACH

with glitter

and

marabou tail

Dan with a good sized walleye

taken on a 3/4 oz. orange

Freshwater Shrimp

‘Bobber’ Anne and Dan Gapen Sr.,

show you some of the diversity in

species that the freshwater shrimp is

capable of tempting. All warm and

cold water fish species feed on freshwater

shrimp.

AmERICA

With

Q u a l i t y

& P r i d e

HELPFuL TIPS ON “HOW-TO” FISH THE

Ugly Bug

– WHY IT WORKS SO WELL –

Wider Front Edge (Pivot Point)

Point of Pull

Point of Pivot

Along with its 85% (approximate) ability to work out of rocky bottom structure, the

Ugly Bug is graced with 2 other features. Because of its wide forward head design, the

jig balances level when vertically jigged. Suspended presentation is always level, a feature

which increases your strikes from fish such as crappie, walleye and lake trout.

The other added feature is the Ugly Bug’s ability to stand up at a 45˚ angle when resting

on the bottom. When working bottom feeding fish such as walleye and many saltwater

species, this position allows the jig to be scooped up easily off bottom by the fish’s

lower jaw. This bottom resting presentation is even more enticing when the Ugly Bug

is tipped with livebait.

(See diagram above.)

How the Ugly Bug Jig works.

Self Balance

COLOR SELECTION:

Use brown, crawfish, black or orange for smallmouth bass.

When lake trout fishing, select white, yellow and chartreuse

first. For walleye, the white, yellow, orange and crawfish must be selected

first. Bluegill prefer the black and green in small sizes while crappie tend to like the

white and chartreuse.

The wedge shaped pivoting head performs best when worked with 8 pound line.

Enough pressure can be applied on 8 pound line to cause a snagged Ugly Bug head to

pivot up on itself and dislodge from the snagging rock crevice. In

rivers, visibility of 8 pound line is defused by current movement.

Where you had a need to use 4 or 6 pound test, you can now

switch to 8 pound and save as much as 75% of your hangups.

Rolling Action

Stand Up

For effective lake presentation, retrieve in a slow rolling action along

bottom which allows the lure to just touch bottom as shown here.


37


✩ ✩ ✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩ ✩

MADE

USA

IN

The Ugly Bug Jig was created in 1969 by Dan Gapen, Sr. to fill a gap in lure selection

available which imitated the aquatic crawfish and hellgrammite. Dan, a riverman by

choice, also needed a lure which could be retrieved downstream, natural presentation in

river systems, and do so without being constantly snagged on bottom rock.

With this in mind, a soft plastic body was constructed, rubber legs added, and a head

design similar to that of a crawdad’s tail was created. The head, after a number of

design switches, was created that was wide in front, narrow in back, with slopes underneath.

It took a couple of summers to work out the glitches, and finally in 1969 the new

little lure was ready for the market.

Crawfish run backwards when pursued and are often carried downstream with river

currents while in flight. Most of the time this flight

takes place in bottom rocks. The Ugly Bug makes an

ideal imitator. With its wide wedge head front it may

hang up in bottom rock when retrieved downstream,

but will generally pivot up and out of the snag immediately.

The reason for this is the fact that Dan’s

design allows for the point of pull, the hook eye, to

protrude from the jighead back beyond the forward

wide part of the Ugly Bug head. Mechanically, with

the narrow back end, this creates a pivot form when

pressure is applied.

Anglers heading into the rock-infested

lakes of Canada prefer the snag-free, bottom-walking

Ugly Bug jig 3-to-1 over any

other jig. The Ugly Bugs ability to walk

rock gets it down on the bottom and keeps

it there. In Canada use 1/4 oz., 3/8 oz. and

5/8 oz. in bright colors for walleye.

No. 20265

WORKING THE

WORLd FAmOuS

Ugly Bug

– WHY IT WORKS SO WELL –

Dan Gapen, Sr. with a “better-than-average” sized

walleye taken on a 3/8 oz. Ugly Bug jig.

Rock-hopping jig head

pivots up and down

Huge

Results!

!

Before you buy your selection of Gapen’s Ugly Bug jigs let us give you a suggestion

- go to page 158 and order/pick up a copy of the underwater DVD in our

educational series No. 20265 called “Pike Attack” on Ugly Bug- caught walleye!

This DVD shows you exactly how walleye react and strike on certain actions given

the Ugly Bug by the angler. You will also see why walleye that have been set upon

by pike, a vicious predator of the walleye, stop their feeding as the predator engages

the school of walleye. Also noted will be the northern pike’s lack of interest

in the Ugly Bug, normally a deadly lure on pike, when hooked walleye

in panic are available.


THIS SPECIAL DVD WAS CREATED BY

FILMING UNDERWATER IN LIVE ACTION,

NATURAL SETTINGS.

NONE OF THIS ACTION IS FILMED IN TANKS!

38


FANTASTIC

Fishing Tips:

FROm

HImSELF!

WORKING UNDERCUT BANKS

One of the seldom-fished structures on smaller rivers are the many undercut banks they

hold.

One

It’s

of

a

the

structure

seldom-fished

found mainly

structures

along

on

soft-banked

smaller rivers

farm

are

country

the many

creeks

undercut

and rivers.

banks

If you’ve

they

suspected

hold. It’s the

structure

stream

found

you fish

mainly

has such

along

structures

soft-banked

the

farm

following

country

is a

creeks

tip on

and

how

rivers.

to effectively

If you’ve

work

suspected

such

the

a structure.

stream you fish has such structures the following is tip on how to effectively

work such structure.

WHERE TO FIND AN UNDERCUT: Most undercut

structures

WHERE

are

TO

created

FIND

along

AN

the

UNDERCUT:

outside bend in

Most

a river

undercut

where

structures

bank texture

are

is

created

made up

along

of black

the outside

loam or

bend

clay.

in

Here river

the downstream

where

bank texture

pressure

is made

of the

up

river

of black

water

loam

is able

or clay.

to carve

Here

out

the downstream

a hole

beneath

pressure

the bank.

of

In

the

many

river water

cases the

is able

bank

to

being

carve out

cut out

hole

is

beneath

overgrown

the

with

bank.

willow,

In many

a hardy

cases

plant

the bank

whose

being

root structures

cut out is

overgrown

entangle mosses

with willow,

of webbing hardy

which

plant

holds

whose

the

root

above

structures

water

entangle

material in

mosses

place.

of

Often

webbing

the overhang

which holds

currents

the

have

above

exposed

water

material

old oak or

in

elm

place.

tree

Often

roots to

the

weaken

overhang

the

currents

tree & it has

have

fallen

exposed

into

the

old oak

waterway

or elm

as

tree

sketched

roots to

in

weaken

my drawing.

the tree The

it has

below

fallen

water

into

the

portion

waterway

of tree

as

then

sketched

becomes

in my

an

drawing.

excellent structure

The below

to

water

hold

portion

catfish (as

of

shown

tree then

below).

becomes an excellent structure to hold

catfish (as shown below).

WHERE TO EXPECT FISH TO HOLD: If the

stream

WHERE

you fish

TO

contains

EXPECT

northern

FISH

pike

TO

or

HOLD:

muskie you’ll

If the

stream

likely engage

you fish

this

contains

species at

northern

the top

pike

of the

or

undercut,

muskie you’ll

(see

likely

drawing).

engage

Here

this

the

species

use of

at

live

the

bait

top

such

of the

as a

undercut, 7” sucker

(see

or

drawing).

redtail chub

Here

rigged

the use

behind

of live

a sinker

bait such

such

as

as 7”

a 1

sucker

oz. Bait

or

Walker

redtail chub

will work.

rigged

Make

behind

your sinker

presentation

such as

from the

oz.

position

marked

Bait

Walker will work. Make your presentation from the

‘B’.

position

This

fish is

marked

also susceptible

‘B’. This

to striking an artificial crank

Current

fish is also susceptible to striking an artificial crank

Flow

such as a 31

such as 31 /2” shiner-colored Flub Dub. Use a deepdiver

model

/2”

to

shiner-colored

make sure you

Flub

gain

Dub.

depth

Use

to maneu-

deepdivever

under

model

the

to

overhanging

make sure you

bank.

gain

Jigs

depth

such

to

as

maneuver

under the overhanging bank. Jigs such as 1 1 /4 oz. a

undercut

/4 oz.

bank

yellow Ugly Bug will work as well. Pike love the color

yellow Ugly Bug will work as well. Pike love the color

muskie or

B

yellow.

yellow.

Pike

As stated before the underwater portion of the fallen

As

tree

stated

will hold

before

catfish.

the underwater

These can

portion

be fished

of

from

the fallen

the

Fallen

same

tree

position,

will hold

‘B’,

catfish.

with the

These

same

can

sinker

be fished

rig. This

from

time

the

tree

same position, ‘B’, with the same sinker rig. This time

Catfish chicken liver or crawlers are the cutbait of choice.

chicken liver or crawlers are the cutbait of choice.

Catfish

Once you are past the fallen tree, I’ve indicated the

Bank

Once you are past the fallen tree, I’ve indicated the

Walleye

overhang

other species holding under this structure. First, come

other species holding under this structure. First, come

a

more catfish, mainly channel cats, then the structures

more catfish, mainly channel cats, then the structures

undercut

walleye & finally, where rocks begin to force the end

bank

walleye

to the undercut finally,

smallmouth

where rocks

bass

begin

will

to

stage.

force the end

to the undercut smallmouth bass will stage.

Bass

By referring to point ‘a’ I’ve indicated your position

By

to

referring

work the

to

rest

point

of the

‘a’

structure.

I’ve indicated

The small

your

short

position

to work

arrow on ‘a’ & ‘B’ indicate casting presentation direction.

the rest of the structure. The small short

arrow on ‘a’ ‘B’ indicate casting presentation direction.

Using an

Using an 1 1 /8 oz. Ugly Bug jig in a crawfish-color, cast up as close as you can to the fallen

/8

tree by the bank.

oz.

Allow

Ugly Bug

the jig

jig

which

in crawfish-color,

you’ve tipped

cast

with

up

a bit

as close

of crawler

as you

or

can

a Red

to the

Ball

fallen

to

tree

float

by

under

the bank.

the overhang

Allow the

and

jig

slip

which

down

you’ve

to the

tipped

walleye

with

& bass

bit of

positioned

crawler or

where Red

they

Ball

are

to

sketched

float under

in.

the

Don’t

overhang

be too anxious

and slip

to

down

begin

to

your

the walleye

retrieve. Allow

bass positioned

the jig to float

where

freely

they

along

are

sketched

under the

in.

overhang.

Don’t be

When

too anxious

it stops

to

its

begin

float

your

set

retrieve.

the hook.

Allow

The

the

probability

jig to float

that

freely

a fish

along

has

under

struck

the

is highly

overhang.

likely.

When

One of

it

the

stops

reasons

its float

for

set

tipping

the hook.

the

The

jig with

probability

scent is

that

utilized fish

at this

has

struck

point. Because

is highly

of

likely.

the ‘tip’

One

the

of

targeted

the reasons

fish will

for

hold

tipping

the

the

lure presentation

jig with scent

until

is utilized

you feel

at

him.

this

point. Because of the ‘tip’ the targeted fish will hold the lure presentation until you feel him.


39

The Ol’ Man with a decent

sized smallie taken on an

Ugly Bug from below an

undercut in an Iowa creek



✩ ✩ ✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩ ✩

MADE

USA

IN



UPC &

Order #

LuRES

Ugly Bug

Color

14110 White

14111 Yellow

14112 Black

14113 Purple

14114 Crawfish

14115 Orange

14116 Brown

14117 Green

14118 minnow Blue

14119 Shrimp Pink

14120 ___________________________________________

Chartreuse

14125 Clear/Slvr/Fleck

14126 Chrtrse/Slvr/Fleck

14127 Blue/Slvr/Fleck

14128 White

14129 Yellow

14130 Black

14131 Purple

14132 Crawfish

14133 Orange

14134 Green

14135 minnow Blue

14136 Shrimp Pink

14137 Chartreuse

14138 ___________________________________________

Brown

14150 Clear/Slvr/Fleck

14151 Chrtrse/Slvr/Fleck

14152 Blue/Slvr/Fleck

14153 White

14154 Yellow

14155 Black

14156 Purple

14157 Crawfish

14158 Orange

14159 Green

14160 minnow Blue

14161 Shrimp Pink

14162 Chartreuse

14163 Brown

1/32 oz.

$2 35

EA.

1/16 oz.

$2 50

EA.

UPC &

Order # Color

14173 White

14174 Yellow

14175 Black

14176 Purple

14177 Crawfish

14178 Orange

14180 Brown

14181 minnow Blue

14182 Shrimp Pink

14183 Chartreuse

14184 ___________________________________________

Green

14200 White

14201 Yellow

14202 Black

14203 Purple

14204 Crawfish

14205 Orange

14206 Brown

14207 minnow Blue

14208 Shrimp Pink

14209 Chartreuse

14210 Green

___________________________________________

14188 White

14189 Yellow

14190 Black

14191 Purple

1/8 oz.

$4

$2 00

75

EA.

EA.

40

14192 Crawfish

14193 minnow Blue

14194 Shrimp Pink

14195 Green

14196 Chartreuse

14197 Orange

1/4 oz.

$2 95

EA.

3/8 oz.

$3 50

EA.

5/8 oz.

awesome

RESULTS

!


LuRES

Ugly Bug

FOR BIG GAME FISH

UPC &

Order # Color

14220 White

1 oz.

14221 Yellow

14222 Black

14224 Crawfish

$4 25

EA.

14225 Orange

14229 ____________________________________________

Chartreuse

14230 White

14231 Yellow 1 1/2 oz.

14232 Black

14234 Crawfish $4 35

14235 Orange EA.

14239 ____________________________________________

Chartreuse

14240 White

14241 Yellow 2 oz.

14242 Black

14244 Crawfish $4 75

14245 Orange

14249 Chartreuse

Ugly Bug

EA.

UPC &

Order # Size Price for 6

14524 1/32 oz. $5.25

14525 1/16 oz. $6.00

14545 1/8 oz. $7.25

14565 1/4 oz. & 3/8 oz. $8.25

14585 5/8 oz. $10.75

Colors Available: • White • Yellow • Orange

• Brown • Blue

• Green

Like smaller Ugly Bugs , these larger and

heavier models walk rock bottom virtually

snag-free. However, these larger models do it

in water depths for 30-100 feet deep. The new

heavier Ugly Bugs are ideal for working deepwater

bass, stripers, walleye, lake trout and

salmon species. When vertically jigged, these

heavy jigs always hold a horizontal position

enabling the fish better strike engagement. In

fast rivers, these new heavy Ugly Bugs work

great below dams and deep channels. Buy

white, yellow, orange and chartreuse

for lake trout, salmon and

stripers. Buy the darker

colors for bass. Use

both light and

dark colors for

walleye.

EXTRA BODIES AVAILABLE

6 PACK OF EACH COLOR

“EXTRA BODIES”

Orange • Black • Purple

• Chartreuse

Big Game

UPC &

Order # Size Price for 6

14586 1 oz. $12.25

14587 1- 1 /2 oz. $14.95

14588 2 oz. & 3 oz. $16.25

Proper

Minnow

Tipping

HELPFuL TIPS:

Ugly Bug

Proper

Worm

Tipping

BLUEGILLS: Anglers seeking out trophy size bluegill (pounders) along flooded

hedgerows, or deepwater weedlines, find the 1/16 oz. black Ugly Bug does the trick. By

casting in along structure, allowing the jig to drop straight down, then lifting high with a

sweeping action, and allowing the jig to once again drop, bluegill are tempted to hit each

time the jig descends. Watching line on surface tells when a strike occurs. A small bit of

worm tipped on the jig helps.

SMALLMOUTH: The Ugly Bug is deadly on smallmouth bass. The 1/8 oz. size is

perfect. The preferred color is crawfish or brown. Casting this lure up into the current, in

those shallow rocky areas, is deadly on Mr. Smallmouth.

WALLEYE: Lake fishing, over rocky areas, is best accomplished by the use of 1/4 oz.

Ugly Bug. If it’s walleye you’re after, buy the light colors such as white, yellow, pink and

chartreuse. These lighter colors should be tipped with minnows. Darker colors such as

orange, purple, black and crawfish should be used during the hot months of summer and

must be tipped with nightcrawlers.

HOW TO SELECT YOUR UGLY BUG JIG: There is a basic rule to purchasing

the Ugly Bug jig. In spring, buy light colors. In the heat of the summer, buy dark colors.

In fall, go back to the light colors of spring. In spring and fall, tip with minnows. In

the hot months, tip with crawlers or leeches.

Deep lake water and spawning areas downstream from huge river dams require the use

of the larger 5/8 oz. Ugly Bugs. Many of these areas are fished best by vertically jigging

this size and tipping it with walleye size sucker minnows.

✩ ✩ ✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩ ✩

MADE

USA

IN

When ordering Ugly Bug

bodies, please state your

selected color along with the

order number for size!

Thank You.

SPECIAL

Money

saving

COUPON

BONuS COuPON FOR OuR

MAIL ORDER CUSTOMERS

Buy any 10 Ugly Bug Jigs and get

2 Bugs of your choice

ABSOLUTELY

FREE!


41

F i s h

G a p e n ’ s


42


LuRES

Saltwater Ugly Bug Jigs

Two years of research proved this new jig, with its

tin plated, forged hook was a killer on saltwater species

such as tarpon, snapper, grouper, roosterfish, halibut

and snook. Extra strong saltwater cadmium plated

hooks are used in Gapen’s Saltwater Ugly Bugs .

If you fish snook, try the color black first. If its

snapper or grouper you’re after, try the yellow, white

and orange in 1 1 ⁄2 to 3 oz. size. Many a trophy

Dorado has been caught while jigging for yellowtail

and black-fin tuna . . .

but try white first.

129 lb. Goliath Grouper

taken on a 3 oz.

Ugly Bug

✩ ✩ ✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩ ✩

MADE

USA

IN


Extremely

EFFECTIVE

43

UPC &

Order # Color

15000 White

1 oz.

15001 Yellow

15002 Black $

15003 Orange 4 35

15004 Crawfish

EACH

15009 ___________________________________________

Chartreuse

_

15010 White 1 1 /2 oz.

15011 Yellow

15012 Black

15013 Orange

$

4 85

15014 Crawfish EACH

15019 ___________________________________________

Chartreuse

_

2 oz.

15020 White

15021 Yellow

15022 Black

15023 Orange

$

5 10

15024 Crawfish EACH

15029 ___________________________________________

Chartreuse

_

3 oz.

15030 White

15031 Yellow

15032 Black

15033 Orange

$

5 95

15034 Crawfish

15039 Chartreuse EACH

Dale Rothstein and

‘Bobber’ Anne with her

34 lb. Permit caught on

a 2 oz. Ugly Bug

The Ol’ Man, Dan Gapen Sr.,

and ‘Bobber’ Anne with a pair

of Halibut taken on a 3 oz.

Saltwater Ugly Bug

F i s h

G a p e n ’ s

UPC &

6 - Pack

Order # Color Price

14880 White

14881 Yellow

1/32 oz.

14882 Black

14883 Purple

14884 Orange

6-Pack

14885 Chartreuse

14886 ___________________________________________

Brown

1/16 oz.

14900 White

14901 Yellow

14902 Black

14903 Purple

14905 Orange

14906 Chartreuse

14907 Brown

___________________________________________

14920 White

14921 Yellow

14922 Black

14923 Purple

14925 Orange

14926 Chartreuse

14927 Brown

___________________________________________

14940 White

14941 Yellow

14942 Black

14943 Purple

14945 Orange

14946 Chartreuse

14947 Brown

___________________________________________

14960 White

14961 Yellow

14962 Black

14963 Purple

14965 Orange

14966 Chartreuse

14967 Brown

Gapen’s wedgeshaped,

self balancing

jig heads are

found on the Ugly

Bug and crawfish

jigs. Painted with

non-cracking epoxy paint, these jig heads are the only

SNAG-FREE jig head on the market. They are also the

original standup jig head.


$

3 75

for Each

$

4 00

for Each

6-Pack

1/8 oz.

$

4 50 for

Each

6-Pack

1/4 oz.

$

5 35 for

LuRES

Ugly Bug

JIG HEADS

Each

6-Pack

3/8

$

6 00

oz.

for

Each

6-Pack

UPC &

6 - Pack

Order # Color Price

14980 White 5/8 oz.

14981 Yellow

14982 Black

14983 Purple

14985 Orange

14986 ___________________________________________

Chartreuse

1oz.

14950 White

14951 Yellow

14952 Black

14955 Orange

14956 Chartreuse

6-Pack

___________________________________________

14970 White 1

14971 Yellow

14972 Black $

8 1 /2 95

oz.

14975 Orange for Each

6-Pack

14976 ___________________________________________

Chartreuse

14990 White

14991 Yellow

14992 Black

14995 Orange

14996 Chartreuse

for Each

6-Pack

___________________________________________

14910 White

14911 Yellow 3 oz.

14912 Black

14915 Orange

14916 Chartreuse

44

$

6 75

for Each

6-Pack

$

7 95

for Each

2 oz.

$

10 75

$

12 75 for

Each

6-Pack

PAC K A G E D

6TO !

A

pack

✔

✔SELF

✔

SNAG FREE

BALANCING

✩ ✩ ✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩ ✩

MADE

STAND UP

USA

IN



FANTASTIC

Fishing Tips:

FROm

45

HImSELF!

“FAT” SUMMER

SUNFISH

Call them what you want, the Bluegill is a member

of the Sunfish family. Pumpkin-seed, redbreast,

stumpknocker, green sunfish or longear sunfish,

they are all members of the Lepomis species. It is the

one species which inhabits as much acreage as any

other species found in North America. (See the map

below).

All members of the sunfish family spawn during

spring when shallow shore water warms to 60˚ to

74˚. Males build the nests, some reaching a diameter

of 24” to 40”, with a depth of 6” to 10”. With the

eggs laid, the female departs leaving the male to

guard the nest against marauding minnows and

other small fish.

Catching sunfish in spring is easy. Its a simple matter of dropping a

tiny jig - dead center on the nest and waiting for the fat male to remove it.

However, the question now raised is: where to the fat females go? Most will go into suspension

a fair distance into open lake in front of the spawning grounds. Look to the 12’

to 16’ water depths. It is here they set up suspension 3’ to 4’ off the bottom. If the angler

can read the screen of a fish locator, he will find them reading as individual dots scattered

above the bottom. A slip float and 1/64 oz. freshwater shrimp becomes an ideal tool with

which to extract them.

The most difficult season to locate sunfish

comes when day temperatures hit 85˚ to 100˚.

At this time the fat sunfish sink deep into the

lake, seeking out the deeper water weed growth.

It is here they find cooler water and hatching

insect larva, small vertebrates and a minnow

population to feed on. Look for water depths

from 20’ to 35’ for such structures. A small 1/16

oz. freshwater shrimp tipped with a bit of

worm, worked slowly becomes the anglers best

weapon.

High temperatures of summer also produces

fat sunfish at the base of deep water cabbage

weeds, weeds which grow far out into the lake

in as much as 20’ of depth.

North American

Distribution of Sunfish

‘Bobber’ Anne holding a

near record pumpkinseed

F i s h

G a p e n ’ s

1/64 oz.

Gapen’s produce MILLIONS

of panfish jigs

You name the species and our family owned company has a jig to catch it - sunfish,

crappie, red ear, rock bass, pumpkin seed, silver bass, perch, calico, bachelor shad,

warmouth, white perch or sac-a-lait, no matter where you fish or what you call the

panfish species you seek, we can help you fill your fish bucket.

Many of the natural looking jigs made by Gapen’s are scented. Scented with anise

oil, the number one scent that all fish scents must contain to attract fish.

Often, Dan Gapen, Sr. laughs at all the fancy scents tackle manufacturers have

placed on the market. When asked about them, The Ol’ Man chuckles and replies that

his grandfather, nearly one hundred years ago, used to go to the Rexall Drug Store

and buy a three cent bottle of anise oil to dip his artificial flies in. “Granddad swore

by that oil. Said it doubled his catches on trout. Used it on his wet flies as well as his

dry flies.”

And I have to say: “If it was good enough for Granddad, it’s good enough for me.”

In conclusion, scents which don’t contain anise aren’t nearly as effective as the ones

that do have it.

Now lets display some of Gapen’s HOT small jigs starting with the smallest.

$ Ea.

1 35 Pk.

UPC &

Order # Color

18100 White

18101 Yellow

18102 Black

18103 Purple

18104 Brown

18105 Orange

18106 Chartreuse

18107 Clear Chartreuse

18108 Red

18109 Blue

18110 Smoke


TINY JIGS

Jigets

PACKAGED ONE JIG &

ONE BODY TO A BAG

$

1 45

1/32 oz.

Ea.

Pk.

UPC &

Order # Color

18130 White

18131 Yellow

18132 Black

18133 Purple

18134 Brown

18135 Orange

18136 Chartreuse


18138 Red

18139 Blue

18140 Smoke

Jigets are extremely effective on panfish and trout. Lure construction is of plated

sharp hooks, nickel plated jig head and supple twist-style tails. They are a lure which can

be used on fly fishing equipment or spinning gear. They are effective when fish are feeding

on small minnows or hatching insect life. Proper presentation of Jigets is accomplished

when retrieve is done slowly in short rolling action or in short jerking motions.

Such action best represents the movement of a tiny minnow as it attempts to escape

towards the cover of bottom debris. Light line, 2 to 6 pound test, should be used to allow

best lure action. When working a fly rod, do so by retrieving in short 8 to 12 inch retrieve

strokes. This action best represents the motion of hatching insects as they dart about near

surface. Select colors as you normally do to represent the food fish are feeding on.

46


To the Angler,

I’ve a suggestion, buddy. Before you order any of Gapen’s panfish jigs

turn to page 157 and pick up a copy of The Ol’ Man’s ‘NEW’ CRAPPIE and

Other Panfish. It’s a 176 page softcover book. If you are a reader and like

to gain the knowledge available from the Old Timer who has prowled the

backwaters, swamps and waterways of North America this

book will make a great read for you. It’s filled with

special tips, how-to fish, where-to fish and what to

use. It includes all the new techniques to help fill

your fish basket with the No. 1 fish for table fare in the US.

If you’re not a reader then go to page 158 and buy Gapen’s Panfish

Bonanza DVD # 20267. In this DVD the viewer is able to learn and

watch as panfish attack the angler’s presentations in a number of structures

using top Gapen lures enticing decent-sized panfish into striking.

In either case the purchase of either book or DVD will better educate our customers and

make them more productive the next time out.


TINY JIGS

Mouseys

Gapen’s mouseys were the original imitation grub to be used by ice fishermen in the 1960s.

It was made to duplicate milkweed grubs, a favorite of panfish such as crappie and bluegill.

Today, anglers use mouseys for all game fish species sought with fly and spinning gear. Though

they come as a 1/64 oz. size, they are constructed on a small # 10 hook.

One

extra

BODY

with

each

JIG

47

UPC &

Order #

Color

13500 White

13501 Yellow

13502 Black

13503 Purple

13504 Orange

13505 Brown

13506 Blue

13507 Pink

13508 Green

13509 Chartreuse

13510 Chart. Glitter

13511 Silver Glitter

1/64 oz.

––– SPECIAL COUPON –––

EA.

4 Jigets (1/32 oz.) (your choice of color) . . . . $5.80

4 Mouseys (your choice of color) . . . . . . . . . $5.56

1 Crappie Book (or) 1 Panfish DVD . . . . . . . $9.95

Plus shipping & handling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ._________

. $6.95

Total Value: $28.26

• Check • money Order

• Cash • Credit Card

ALL FOR ONLY

$ 1 39

Bait-In-A-Bottle jigs are

scented and come in four

fish attracting patterns.

The angler may assort a

selection from all four

styles when ordering

jigs in

quantity

buys.

THESE

Really

Scents

do

ATTRACT

SCENTED

“Soft” Jigs

SPECIAL

FISH

SPECIAL

UPC &

Order #

Money

saving

COUPON

TAIL

DANCER

$19 99 F i s h

G a p e n ’ s


!

48

Color

HEAD COLOR BODY COLOR

16515 Pink Pearl White

16516 Orange Yellow

16517 Chartreuse Black

16518 Pink Purple

16519 Orange Chartreuse Glitter

16520 Chartreuse Clear Chartreuse

16521 Pink Pearl Pink

16522 Orange Clear Glitter

16523 Chartreuse Pearl White

16524 Pink Clear Chartreuse

16525 Orange Pearl White

16526 Chartreuse Pearl Pink

16527 Orange Black

CRAPPIE

MONKEY

UPC &

Order #

BONuS COuPON FOR

Bulk Orders

Buy 100 scented

FOR

ONLY

“Bait-in-a-Bottle” Jigs

Color

1/32 oz.

$

1 39

EACH

SCENTED

F I S H

Attractant

$

98 88

YOUR CHOICE OF

COLORS & STYLES



16531 Orange Yellow


16533 Pink Purple









16542 Orange Black

1/32

$

1 39

oz.

EACH

Gapen’s 1/32 oz. Bait-In-A-Bottle jigs are scented with the basic fish attractant ANISE

which all fish scents are made with. These deadly mini-jigs work on all panfish, trout and

game fish found in freshwater.

SCENTED

“Soft” Jigs

SPECIAL

SCENTED

- and -

“Soft”

RESULTS ON THESE BAITS

CRAPPIE BAIT

UPC &

Order #



16546 Orange Yellow


16548 Pink Purple









16557 Orange Black

16558 Orange Orange

UPC &

Order #



16501 Orange Yellow


16503 Pink Purple







16510 Orange Black


LOOK

at this

Money

saving

OFFER


Color

SUNNY

SWEETS

Color

49

1/32

$

1 39

oz.

EACH

Heads

m de a of

TIN

1/32 oz.

$

1 39

EACH

TWO dOZEN (24)

BAIT-N- BOTTLE JIGS

Personally selected by dan Gapen Sr, for the fish of your choice

BLUEGILL

CRAPPIE

TROUT

for only

$27 88



THE QuESTION IS:

DO FISH SMELL FOOD?

Yes - some more than others. In the cases of bottom feeders,

such as catfish, there are three ways they can smell food: whiskers, lateral lines and nostrils. In

the case of bass, walleye, perch, whitebass and the trout species, a similar three smelling

devices can be used. However, in each of these species these senses work in lessening or

greater degrees.

ANOTHER QuESTION:

WHAT SMELL WORKS BETTER THAN OTHERS?

This question has always confused me. I’m a great believer in using natural bait, such as

minnows and crawlers to enhance the smell of artificial lures such as a jig. There are other

anglers who believe they can do the same by spraying a man-made solution and have equally

as good a result. My experience has not been such.

However, there is a liquid scenting device which is a natural fish attractor - that is

ANISE OIL!!! My Grandfather, Jesse Gapen, a gifted fly fisherman, used anise on his

flies beginning in 1916. He purchased the anise oil in small bottles from the local Rexall

Drug Store in Monroe, Wisconsin. Though Grandad was a purist when it came to fly

fishing it wasn’t beyond him not to use this added attractant. Today, anise oil remains

the key attractant in 90% of the fish attractors which are sprayed on.

Gapen’s soft jigs are manufactured with the anise as part of the soft plastic

extrusion process.

WANT

Results?

50

C A L L

dAN GAPEN, SR.


3

2

GAPEN’S Slip-N-Lock

Bobbers & Floats

“Bream Float” helped

capture this trophy

largemouth bass.

1

This is Gapen’s Hungarian import. We do so because

they are the WORLD’S FINEST in quality and performance.

Constructed of South American balsawood, quality

epoxy paint, and finished with premium clear varnish.

Slip-N-Lock fishing floats are fitted with newly patented

snaplock attach/release devices.

Florescent red float tips, set high above float, create

easy visual contact for the angler who works live bait

such as chubs, fatheads, sucker minnows, shad, worms,

crickets and dead bait, for species such as bluegill, crappie,

bass, walleye, catfish and big game species.

How the Slip-N-Lock Float works:

Slip-N-Lock balsa floats hosts a ‘NEW’ attaching

devise which allows the angler to easily attach, or

detach the float from his line. By simply slipping the

line through the slot on the side of the lock-device and

pulling the rubber sleeve down. All the way to lock . . . part

way for slip floating.

Slip-N-Lock floats can be used as either a slip float or a stationary float as shown here.

… insert line through slot in side of locking

device.

… to rig float as a slip float-pull sleeve down just

covering slot opening.

… to rig float as a permanent float-pull sleeve all the way

down to the end of locking device.


BALSA WOOd

Bobbers & Floats

There is no better

float made anywhere THERE

in the world than no

these BIG GAME better

is

FLOATS. They are perfect

for working giant catfish, trophy

muskie, prize northern pike,

FLOAT!

walleye or striped bass. They contain the equivalent

buoyancy given once to the ‘old’ 5” cork

or wooden floats used on the nation’s waters

for working giant suckers and shad minnows.

The 12” model will hold up a 1 pound live

sucker and its equalizer sinker weight.

BIG GAME

FLOAT

Order # Color Size

13100 Natural 12 in.


WALLEYE

FLOAT

Order # Color Size

13160 mahogany 6 in.



ONLY

$ 600 EACH

ONLY

$

3 50

EACH

Gapen’s Slip-N - Lock floats are ideal for any game species of fish you seek. When

choosing size, use these tips as a guideline: panfish, crappie and bluegill, are best taken

on float sizes 4”, 5”, 6” or 7” in the crappie & bream float styles. For walleye and bass,

select sizes 5”, 6”, 7”, 8”, 9” or 10” in the walleye, bream, and big game floats. For larger

fish, such as muskie, northern pike, catfish and strippers, use a 10” or 12” size in the big

gamefish style.

The

WORLD’S

Finest

FLOAT


GUARANTEE:

Gapen’s Slip-N-Lock floats are constructed with a fiberglass core,

high impact finish, durable balsa and durable locking device. They

are GUARANTEED against breakage for

ONE year from the time of purchase when used under

normal fishing conditions. Return to:

The Gapen Co., 17910 - 87th Street, Becker, MN 55308

for replacement.

51


Trophy cats are often taken by using big

game floats and cut bait.

Throughout this book, the pages

containing Fishing “Tips” are taken

from Dan Gapen’s books and from his

writings over the years.

All these tips have proved to enhance the

angler’s catch and provide easier means

of presenting lures to the fish.

To obtain more detailed information

you - the angler - can purchase

Dan Gapen’s books and videos

at special offer prices.

Starting on page 152.

www.gapen.comw w w. g a p e n . c o m

52

Order # Color

PENCIL

FLOAT

Size

13172 Clear Wood 7 in.

13175 Clear Wood 5 in.

CRAPPIE

FLOAT

Order # Color Size

ONLY

$

3 25

EACH

13150 Clear Wood 12 in. $4.00Ea.




Fish Gapen’s

‘Bobber’ Anne with

a largemouth taken

on a 5 inch

‘Bobber’ Anne

Balsa Float – and

a Crappie Vixen

UPC &

Order # Color Size


BALSA WOOd

Bobbers & Floats

Constructed

with South

American balsa

wood, a

“SPeCIal”

SlIP-n-loCK

line-attaching

device, and a

through-glass

stem Gapen floats

are the strongest,

most sensitive

balsa floats on the

market today.

GLOW

FLOATS

13330 GLOW 6 in.

13331 GLOW 7 in.

13332 GLOW 8 in.

13333 GLOW 9 in.

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ONLY

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EACH

5

STOPS

ALL PANFISH

FLOAT

UPC &

Order # Color Size

13203 Natural 8 in.

13202 Natural 9 1 /2 in.


BREAM

FLOAT

UPC &

Order # Color Size

13193 Natural 6 in.

13192 Natural 7 in.

13191 Natural 8 in.

13190 Natural 9 in.

‘BOBBER’

ANNE FLOAT

UPC &

Order # Color Size

13220 Natural 3 in.

13221 Natural 5 in.

FLOAT/BEAD

STOPS

UPC &

Order # Color Size

13300 White 2-4 lb. Line

13301 White 6-9 lb. Line

13302 White 10 -15 lb. Line

13320 CLOTH All Sizes (5) $1.75

13321 & 13322

13300 & 13301

JuST

3 50

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ONLY

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MADE

USA

IN

“WARNING”

This product contains lead, a

chemical known to the State of

California to cause cancer and

birth defects and other

reproductive harm.

RIGS

Poorman’s

Downrigger

UPC &

Price

Order # Size Each

14301 1 oz. $ 2.75

14302 2 oz. $ 2.95

14303 3 oz. $ 3.75

14304 5 oz. $ 4.55

14306 9 oz. $ 5.25

14307 12 oz. $ 6.50

WATER DEPTH

FOOTAGE CHART

Size

Footage

Scale

1 oz. 10-30 Ft.

3 oz. 30-45 Ft.

5 oz. 45-60 Ft.

Size

Footage

Scale

9 oz. 75-90 Ft.

12 oz. 85-110 Ft.

Planning depths which are indicated for each Poorman’s Downrigger are just an

approximate depth range in which the rig will run best. Exact depth is governed

by amount of line drop back, trolling speed and line diameter.

Use this chart as an example

Size Line Length Depth

1 oz. 8 lb. 130 Out 29 Ft.

1 oz. 10 lb. 100 Out 23 Ft.

3 oz. 8 lb. 150 Out 43 Ft.

3 oz. 10 lb. 100 Out 34 Ft.

5 oz. 14 lb. 125 Out 52 Ft.

9 oz. 15 lb. 125 Out 62 Ft.

9 oz. 20 lb. 125 Out 72 Ft.

9 oz. 25 lb. 125 Out 82 Ft.

*12 oz. 10 lb. 150 Out 102 Ft.

12 oz. 20 lb. 150 Out 92 Ft.

12 oz. 30 lb. 150 Out 82 Ft.

Deep

WATER

RIG

FLUORESCENT GREEN

This is a deepwater trolling rig which suspends the angler’s spoon, plug or bait.

* The 10 lb. rating in 12 oz. is not

practical due to the angler’s inability to

set a hook with 10 pound test line at that

depth. ALL rating figures established

while trolling at 2.5 miles an hour.

www.gapen.com

53

Fish Gapen’sa p e n ’ s

www.gapen.comw w. g a p e n . c o m

54


RIGS

Poorman’s Downrigger Sinker


Designed by Dan Gapen, Sr., the Poorman’s

Downrigger could be called a close cousin to Gapen’s

now famous original Bait-Walker Sinker. Most of the

patented features of the Bait-Walker apply to this new

trolling rig. Besides having the composition of a Bait-

Walker , the Poorman’s Downrigger has several additional

designs which make it even more effective as a

trolling rig for light rods. Two years of depth testing via

trolling on four specific species: walleye, salmon,

striped bass and lake trout, proved this new rig nearly

invaluable to the small open boat angler. Poorman’s

Downriggers can be run behind nearly any type of

standard bait casting or trolling rods and reels.

The main purpose for Gapen’s new rig is the suspended

fishery which recently came to light when

working species such as walleye and striped bass.

The Poorman’s Downrigger is built to hold a level

plane once it reaches the proper depth. Thus, once

suspended and

noted on the graph, this rig will

maintain the proper depth each and every time it is lowered.

Even boat speed will have little effect on it. Line

weight and length, however, must remain the same.

Like Gapen’s Bait-Walker , this new rig creates forward

thrust on its patented flat back, causing a lessening of pressure

at rod tip. But, unlike the Bait-Walker’s rounded snagfree

design, this new rig is thin in nature, a design feature

which allows it to slip even more softly through deep

trolling waters. Imagine, this sinker rig, for the first time in

fishing history, allows an angler using casting equipment to

work sixteen ounces of lead at depths reaching 140 feet or

more.

The Poorman’s Downrigger’s twin side plates, or fins, work as stabilizers in holding this

rig at a given depth. Boat trolling speeds can vary by a mile to half mile an hour rate while the

outward protruding fins help maintain rig depth.

THROuGH

Trolling

DEEP

WATER

Charter boat captains prefer this rig when flat lining

due to the Poorman’s ability to hold depth and run

easily through water. The Poorman’s Downrigger

will hold the ‘snag-free’ ability of its cousin the Bait-

Walker sinker within 85% of performance. It is an

excellent rig to use flashy spoons on for salmon. It is

a rig that can be used behind an outrigger without

tangling on the turn.

55


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MADE

USA

IN

Money

saving

COUPON


RIGS

Bait-Walker Sinker

When trolling

a Bait-Walker ,

the user should

use a lighter dropback line than rod

line. Example: if you troll live bait

with 10 lb. reel line attached to the

sinker … use a 6 lb. or 8 lb. line

between swivel on the Bait-Walker

and the hooked live bait. Though

this snag-free sinker tends to walk

without hanging up, hooks tend to

snag in rocks and timber. If something

is to give, let it be the 6 lb. line

behind the Bait-Walker .

U.S. Pat. 4-161-838

Can. Pat. 306401

Offers YOU

this

SPECIAL

FLUORESCENT ORANGE

UPC &

Order # Size Price Each

14000 1/4 oz. $2.00

14001 3/8 oz. $2.30

14002 5/8 oz. $2.55

14003 1 oz. $3.00

14004 1 1 /2 oz. $3.30

14005 2 oz. $4.00

14006 3 1 /2 oz. $5.00

14007 6 oz. $6.00

14008 10 oz. $7.00

14020 1/4 oz. $2.00

14021 3/8 oz. $2.30

14022 5/8 oz. $2.55

14023 1 oz. $3.00

14024 1 1 /2 oz. $3.30

14025 2 oz. $4.00

14026 3 1 /2 oz. $5.00

14027 6 oz. $6.00

14028 10 oz. $7.00

56

CHARTREUSE

UPC &


“WARNING”

This product contains lead, a chemical known to the State of California to

cause cancer and birth defects and other reproductive harm.

BONUS COUPON

Just buy 5 assorted Bait Walkers (test kit)

(which includes one each: 1/4 - 3/8 - 5/8 - 1 - 11/2 oz.)

for a special price of $

11 95 and receive a 2 oz.

Bait Walker Plus

FREE!

Total savings with this coupon is $

5 90 over retail!

CuT ANd SENd COuPON IN WITH YOuR ORdER

SUSPENDS Softly www.gapen.com Fish Gapen’s

✩ ✩ ✩

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✩ ✩

✩

MADE

USA

IN

Long wired Bait-

✩

Walkers are being

✩ ✩ ✩ used by anglers working

stick plugs and

crank baits for any number of bottom-hugging

species such as largemouth bass, walleye,

smallmouth, stripers and certain

species of trout. The longer, higher wire system

elevates the lure enough off bottom to

allow proper action and helps prevent snagging.

Catfishermen find this rig helps when

straightlining down stream for finicky feeders.

The most popular sizes for both trolling

plugs and straightlining for

catfish are the 1 1 /2 oz. and 2

oz. sizes. To learn more about

straightlining, pick up a copy

of Dan Gapen’s Catfish book.

(See page 157).

The Long Wire Bait-

Walker sinker was added to

Keeps l

the Gapen line to give the

u

angler who works plugs over

the re

UP

mossy and stick-riddled bottom

an advantage. The higher arm holds the lure up just high enough to prevent moss from

fouling the hook. It likewise increases the sense of ‘fallback’ for the catfisherman when sensing

the catfish bite while straightlining.

www.gapen.com

RIGS

Bait-Walker

LONG WIRED

“WARNING”

This product contains lead, a chemical known to the State of California to

cause cancer and birth defects and other reproductive harm.

57

FLUORESCENT ORANGE

UPC &


14103 1 oz. $2.95 $3.00

$3.50

14104 1 1 /2 oz.

14105 2 oz. $3.95 $4.00

14106 3 1 /2 oz. $4.95 $5.00

“HOW-TO” USE THE BAIT-

WALKER AS A SLIP SINKER

Add

Swivels

By adding a swivel to the front eye of the walker you

have created a near perfect slip sinker rig. Unlike the

usual lead style slip sinkers which create drag when line is

pulled through them, eyelets of the stainless swivels allow

unrestricted movement. This application of the Bait-

Walker might best be described as a “Trolley-Tram”

effect. Suspended like a Trolley-tram on a cable this new

application of the Bait-Walker Sinker enables the

fisherman to double the uses this “NEW” fishing rig has

to offer for the live bait man.

14104 1 1 /2 oz. $3.45

Small split shot used

as a stopper

Fish Gapen’s

FLUORESCENT ORANGE

UPC &


14060 1/4 oz. $3.00

14061 3/8 oz. $3.30

14062 5/8 oz. $3.80

14063 1 oz. $4.00

14064 1 1 /2 oz. $4.30

14065 2 oz. $5.00

14066 3 1 /2 oz. $5.30

14070 1/4 oz. $3.00

14071 3/8 oz. $3.30

14072 5/8 oz. $3.80

14073 1 oz. $4.00

14074 1 1 /2 oz. $4.30

14075 2 oz. $5.00

14076 3 1 /2 oz. $5.30

www.gapen.com

RIGS

Bait-Walker

Plus Sinker

CHARTREUSE

UPC &


“WARNING”

This product contains lead, a chemical

known to the State of California to

cause cancer and birth defects and

other reproductive harm.

✩ ✩ ✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩

USA

IN

Gapen’s Bait-

Walker PLUS

✩ ✩ ✩

was added to Gapen’s

line to fill the gap for those anglers

who find using spinner snell rigs a

problem. With the addition of a spinner

blade on the Bait-Walkers upper

arm, the angler attains all the flash and

attractiveness of a snell rig without the

problems created by same. In the larger

1 1 /2, 2 and 3 1 /2 oz. sizes you now can

troll your favorite stick plugs or crank

bait and add the attractor used while

live baiting. The color chartreuse has

come of age in the last 15 years and

we’ve seen fit to add it to our entire

Bait-Walker line. This color is particularly

effective in the PLUS series of

Bait-Walkers . Dirty, muddy or dingy

water is the best target for chartreuse.

If you use live bait and troll, or drift

fish, the addition of a Bait-Walker

PLUS to your tackle box may be the

tool to help you fill your live well.

STRAIGHTLINING: for catfish is best done via

a Bait-Walker PLUS sinker. Cat picks up bait

(always in 70 degree water), then walks forward,

which causes the spinnered Bait-Walker rig to fulcrum forward and stop

vibrating. Angler waits to the count of three, then sets hook. This will hook 90% of the finicky

biting cats of summer. Straightlining is best done by casting directly down-stream with current

force. See Dan’s catfish book for

further details.

(Dan’s books can be found on

pages 151-155 of this catalog)

(Straightlining Tips on page 62).

58

Fish Gapen’s

MADE

RIGS

Bait-Walker Sinker


The Bait-Walker sinker was

created to walk rocky bottom

structure without becoming

snagged. It was designed in 1975 by

Dan Gapen, Sr. to work live bait and lures, such as

crank baits, spoons, trolling flies and stick plugs.

Research proved the Bait-Walker to be 85 to 90%

snag-free on natural rock bottom in both lake and

river. The Bait-Walker walks across bottom with

little resistance, because less than 5% of the sinker touches bottom. Built with a patented

flat back, the angler feels less than 50% of the sinkers actual weight. Example: a 2

oz. Bait-Walker pulls but 1 oz., or less, at rod tip. When engaged in a rock crevice, the

user only has to back over the snag, pull hard, and feel the sinker pivot back on itself

and out of the snag. When touching rough rock bottom, because the point of pull is up

and above the sinker weight, this rig will lift up off the bottom then settle back to

bottom inches later.

Besides all these features, the

Bait-Walker also acts as a keel

sinker, preventing line twist while

trolling. Nothing will get live bait or

your favorite stick plug down where fish

hold better than a Bait-Walker sinker.

Live

BAIT

WHICH BAIT-WALKER

FOR WHAT BAIT?

No matter which live bait you use, it is suggested

that smaller sizes such as 1/4, 3/8, 5/8, and

1 oz. be used. If you work heavy current or very

deep water (50 feet or more) the 1 1 /2 and 2 oz.

models may be required on livebait.

Never use Bait-Walkers less than 1 oz. on

your favorite minnow-style plug or crank

PLUGS

bait. When plugs are trolled or retrieved

below 20 feet of depth, water pressure tends

to force them upwards. Always use plugs with shallow lips

when working deep water. Bait-Walkers which work best

on plugs are 1 1 /2 , 2 and 3 1 /2 oz.

SPOONS

85%

Any size Bait-Walker sinker will work on a

spoon, much depends on how deep you

wish to troll or retrieve. However, if you

are working species such as stripers or lake

trout in water deeper than 50 feet, it is suggested that the 6

and 10 oz. model be used.

59

t o 95%

SNAG-free

in

✩ ✩ ✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩ ✩

MADE

USA

IN

R I V E R S

A N d Lakes!


FACTS EVERY CATmAN SHOuLd KNOW

‘ABOUT CATFISH’

– RIVERS –

It matters not how large a river

system is that you fish for catfish in,

certain facts remain constant.

FACT: Catfish are a scenter,

they always swim into current flow

to find food.

angler reaction: Al -

ways position yourself up s tream,

fishing downstream, from the suspected

holding area catfish inhabit.

FACT: Channel catfish, the

larger fish, prefer fresh cut bait with

a blood base or fish base scent.

angler reaction: Use a

blood base bait, preferably chicken

blood or liver, early in the morning, late at night, or during darkness hours for best

results. Use a fish cut bait, such as cut suckers, shad or river chubs during the heat of day

or during warm front periods.

FACT: Flathead catfish prefer live bait to cut or dead bait.

angler reaction: Use a large live bluegill hooked behind its back fin to entice

the largest flathead cat in the river system you work. Second choice would be a live sucker

or redtail chub.

FACT: Rock and gravel ripples, even though they seem too shallow to hold channel

catfish are the best place to start looking for the channel species of catfish in a river you’ve

never fished before.

angler reaction: Look for the fast water sections of the river you fish where

water is at its fastest and seemingly the hardest to fish. Begin working above the fast water area,

gradually working your way down through the fast water structure.

FACT: A technique called “straightlining” is the best method to catch those bait

stealing channel catfish when water temperature exceeds 70 degrees.

angler reaction: To properly straightline the angler must first acquire a Bait-

Walker Plus sinker rig. This style sinker will be the signaling devise for the angler as the

catfish takes bait.

Attach the Bait-Walker to lines end and add a 24 to 30 inch dropback line behind

the spinnered arm of the Bait-Walker . Attach and hook bait to the dropback line.

Diagram a


FANTASTIC

Fishing Tips:

FROm

HImSELF!

x

60

Current

Flow


Cast the rig downstream to the intended target area. STRAIGHTLINING must

always be done in a downstream manner. Pull line tight until you feel spinner vibration.

Hold as you feel spinner working. You now wait for a hit.

(See Diagram A)

Here you see the Bait-Walker and its bait as the catfish begins to scent your bait and

is about to inhale it... Note the spinner is rotating and the bait is being lifted slightly up

and down off the bottom for better scenting. This bait reaction is due to the wire arm

which keeps the bait up off bottom in current flow.

(See Diagram B)

The next action to occur is the channel catfish walks forward with the bait in his

mouth. This upstream maneuver can be 10 to 24 inches in length. As this happens that

Bait-Walker Plus rotates forward, the spinner slides down the shaft and stops rotating.

AT ROD TIP you cease to feel this rotation, THUS SIGNALING A CAT HAS TAKEN

YOUR BAIT. The line between rod tip and bait will slack off and droop.

It is at this point that the angler should COUNT TO THREE and SeT THe HooK!

The reason for this is the channel catfish is crushing your bait and is most vulnerable

to being hooked. What he does next will surprise the most ardent of catmen.

(See Diagram C)

So far you haven’t felt any tap-tap just the rotation of the spinner stopping. Next Mr.

Cat opens his mouth, swallows the bait, leaving the hook laying in his mouth. The hook

is a foreign object and will not be swallowed. With his mouth remaining open the cat

backs up with current to the point where he first engaged the bait. Here he turns one way

or the other and retreats back downstream to his original holding position. It is at the

point where he turns that the angler feels the first tap-tap. IT IS TOO LATE! Because his

mouth remains open any setting of the hook now sees the hook jerked out of the mouth.

WHY? Because, for reasons never explained, channel catfish keep their mouth open for

30 to 60 seconds after ingesting food during the heated water periods of the summer.

Diagram B

The key to hooking 95% of those tap-tapping catfish during summer heat is to set

the hook just after the rotating spinner stops and your line begins to slack off. Learning

the straightlining technique will see better than 70% of those summer tap-tapping

catfish on your line.

The spot marked x on the diagrams indicates the point of bait pickup.

Diagram C


Fishing Tips:

‘ABOUT CATFISH’ (Continued)

x

Crushing

x Mouth Open

61

Set

THE HOOK


– Brush Piles and Fallen Tree Structure –

FACT: to take the biggest catfish out of brush piles or fallen trees along rivers is best

done from the upstream side.

angler reaction:Most catfish anglers like to tie off to a fallen tree or the

downstream side of a brush pile. Such positioning will generally produce small cats. The

reason is the big cats which inhabit this structure prefer holding at the top (upstream)

side of the structure. The reason is simple! Food in rivers comes with the current. Thus it

is that bigger cats position themselves to gather in the food before the smaller fish have a

chance at it.

If you are a bank fisherman, instead of sitting on the fallen tree and fishing in the

eddy behind the structure, you are advised to walk up the bank 20 feet or so, and work

your bait in front of the brush pile or fallen tree structure. Such positioning will attract

the big cats which have stagged under the front side of your targeted structure, first.

If you fish from a boat, forget tying off to a limb on the structure itself. Instead anchor

your boat 25 to 35 feet above the targeted area and work your bait just in front of it.

–Straightlining–

Increase your

summertime catch

by 65% to 75 %.

FACT: Channel catfish,

even flatheads, tend to work into

shallow rocky areas when feeding.

When they are confined to a river

hole, such as the one on diagram

D, they will work into current out

of the hole to find the rocky flat

where food is abundant.

Fishing Tips:


Diagram D

Stagging area for catfish

Deep Hole

Migration path to food

Larger cats position

Fallen tree in water

Smaller cats position

angler reaction: No

matter what river you fish, north or south, channel catfish follow a given procedure when

looking for food. This is especially true when the angler works medium to small rivers.

With food on their minds these river cats always migrate upstream into the first

rocky flat they can find. If the deep hole they stag in is situated downstream, as much as

1/4 of a mile, they still will migrate up into the rocky area for food. See the migration

marked on the diagram.

In the north the migration can take place in daylight hours but as the summer wears

on the late day and night hours see migration occur during the darker times of the day.

In the south, other than the months of January and February, the migration to food

generally takes place after dark. In dirty water streams the southern catman may see food

migration occur during lighter hours but this seldom happens and generally will occur

in early spring or late fall days.

In rocky areas which provide food for catfish the STRAIGHTLINING technique not

only works best when water hovers in excess of 70 degrees but by using a snag-free Bait-

Walker rig the catman finds he can maneuver his bait offering in places that normal sinker

rigs would snag up.


62



Fishing Tips:


SPECIAL POND AND LAKE

“TIPS” FOR

HOT WEATHER CATFISH:

FACT: When water temperature reaches the near 80˚ range channel catfish in

small enclosed lakes will go into suspension. The reason this happens is their normal

bottom feeding structure has been invaded by weed growth. In many cases this growth

is mossy in nature and repugnant to even a catfish. Thus, channel catfish, as well as flatheads

adapt to a completely foreign method of gathering food. Suspension sees catfish

forage for food in a more normal manner used by other gamefish. This change is seen

by the cat fisherman as a complete lack of catfish caught during this period. The catman

who knows how to change his presentation will weather these periods, in many

cases with full stringers.

angler reaction: Knowing the catfish have gone into suspension is the key

to a new presentation for the catman. Instead of on-bottom presentation the angler

now adapts to a suspension presentation. Floats and slip bobbers will be the main tool.

When catfish in a pond, shallow bay or small lake are forced into suspension they

generally set up a pattern of migration within the structure. Once this is established,

the school of cats seldom venture off the pattern. Therefore, if an angler can determine

this migration path and at what depth they travel, be assured he can place food in front

of the migrating catfish by using a slip float to hold the bait at a proper level. The hard

part of this is to establish where the migration path is located.

There is one sure method which works every time. It’s not legal in many states but

if the pond you fish is private, there’s no law against it. Here’s how it works.

The first thing you do, and maybe the toughest, is to catch a single catfish from

the water you are about to fish. If you can’t obtain one, then import one

from another fishery. The fish should be lively and aggressively

active. I try to use a 1 1 /2 to 2 pounder.

With the live cat ready for use the angler must place a small

hook, size 6 or 8 will do, directly behind his dorsal fin. To do

this you tie more than enough 4 pound test line to accommodate

the depth of the water you fish.

– RIVERS –

If the pond you fish has no

more than 20 feet of water you’d

tie on 12 to 14 feet of line. To the

top of the line a small panfish float

is tied on. You have just created an

excellent Jonah fish.

Decoy fish rigging

Next the live cat is released to swim at will. It has been my experience that the

released fish swims directly to the migrating school, taking up a position at its rear.

The slight pull of the line and bobber doesn’t allow the released cat to forage ahead of

any active school of fish. As a matter of fact, the rigged cat may have a bit of a time

keeping up but whenever the school of cats hesitates on their migration path your

decoy fish will catch up.

63

Bobber

Decoy Line

4 Lb. test

#6 or #8 hook


Fishing Tips:


Now sit back and watch where the small float goes. Within a short time you will be

able to map out the migration path. To continue to chart the migration, one which may

vary at different times of the day, leave the Jonah fish out there. This Jonah cat now

becomes the ultimate fish finder.

The next thing you must determine is how deep the cats are running. I find that placing

my bait up off bottom, above the weed growth, about a foot works best. In other words,

if the water depth in the pond is 10 feet where the cats are migrating, weed growth should

be no higher than a foot. This summer scummy weed growth is more like a moss than a

true weed growth. Therefore, if you are using a slip bobber, the knot should be set at 8 feet

of depth.

Next, armed with the right gear, the angler begins to stalk the moving bobber.

Wherever the bobber goes, the angler goes. It matters not if you fish from a boat or if the

pond is small enough, you can fish from shore. The only criteria is that you must cast a

short distance ahead of the bobber in the direction it is moving. The Jonah fish and its

floating attachment will lead you to a full limit in short order.

When working a slip bobber, or just a bobber, under these conditions I prefer using a

couple of favorite baits. During the coldest times of summer, I prefer frozen chicken liver

on a 2/0 short shank hook beneath my slip bobber. During late day hours or at night during

the warmest summer conditions I prefer cut bait in the form of shad, sucker or horny

head chubs. Use about 1/3 of the minnow, cut with its guts hanging out, on a 2/0 short

shank hook. If the bait sinks on its own, or due to the weight of the hook, I prefer not using

a weight of any kind. Free floating the bait beneath the slip bobber seems to do a better job

than when you weigh it down.

I know what some of my readers are saying right now. Gapen, this doesn’t sound too

kosher to me. Hooking up a fish with a bobber to become

a fish locator isn’t right. That may be so, but if you spend

hours sitting on your favorite catfish pond and only reeling

in globs of messy green moss, you’ll soon see the reason

I developed this technique. I’d rather catch fish than

noT catch fish. Anyway, I’m not much of a purest.

When it comes to fishing I’ll do just about anything to

entice a fish. Plus, you must

consider the fact that my backwoods

blood

may have something

to do with this tip on

how

to

catch hot weather catfish.

As an after thought, if

you’re having trouble

catching crappie in your

favorite pond, this same

trick will soon fill your

wire basket. For crappie,

instead of cut bait or chicken liver, use two inch black

leeches to entice your favorite fish of spring time during hot summer hours.

J U S T

take a


LOOK A T THESE

64

Results

!



A FANTASTIC

Fishing Experience

SOuTH AmERICA’S WORLd OF

‘CATFISH’

Dan victoriously exhibiting

his 129 lb. Balenton Catfish

(fish released)

Countries such as Venezuela, Brazil and

Columbia are best known to the American

angler as a world where peacock bass and several

other game fish rule.

But for me, Dan Gapen, Sr., I head down

below the equator in search of one of the nine

distinct species of catfish these countries have

to offer. I learned this many years ago when

‘Bobber’ Anne and I, along with Larry

Dalberg, host of the TV Show “Hunt for Big

Fish”, landed on a jungle airstrip on the

Brazilian border in Southern Venezuela. We

came in search of trophy Peacock Bass. We ended up working late day and early morning

hours for the giant catfish the Ventuari River had to offer. On day two a local native

came to camp with a 95 pound redtail catfish he had caught on a hemp rope, a stone

sinker and a crudely hammered out over-sized fish hook. When asked where he had

taken his prize it was learned that a couple blocks below camp was a 60-foot deep hole

that constantly produced enormous catfish. That changed the whole purpose of our trip.

With Peacocks forgotten we began to rig for an evening of catfishing.

As I always do, I carried several 6 and 10 oz. Bait Walker sinker rigs with me. These

would be used as weight to hold down the cut bait which we were told the cats liked best.

Larry dug up some #12/0 and #14/0 saltwater hooks he always carries with him on his

adventures in search of giant fish.

Heavy 7-foot rods and reels loaded with 50-pound Dacron line-gear we would have

used on large peacock bass, would round out our tackle.

Local natives knew very little on where to fish for these monsters of the Ventuari River.

They only knew such fish hung out in the river’s deep holes. We would help by inserting

some of our cat fishing techniques. We would fish a block or so above the holes as evening

came on. As many cat men know, catfish migrate out of the deep holes upstream in search

of food as dark comes on.

Thus it was that the three of us and our native guide tied off on a sunken tree limb a

hundred yards above the same hole the local had produced the 95-pounder in.

It took only ten minutes before Larry and ‘Bobber’ Anne hit a pair of fish at the same

time. After a stubborn fight a pair of redtail cats in the 50-pound range came to boat.

Once landed and photos taken - the pair were released for the TV camera, much to the

bewilderment of our native guide. Such fish would feed his family and relatives for a week.

65


SOuTH AmERICA’S WORLd OF

‘CATFISH’

(Continued)

Next I hit a huge fish that ended up being a 129-pound Balenton Catfish. It had the

body of a sturgeon and the head of a catfish. We were told by our camp manager that

Balenton Catfish grow up to 300 pounds in this region.

By trip’s end we’d taken 50 catfish over 50 pounds, the largest, my 129-pound

Balenton which was released - for anglers such as you who may come after us.

TIP: Don’t bother fishing for these South American catfish during the day. Piranhas

will strip your cut bait offering as fast as you can present it. Begin your cat fishing one

hour before sundown until one hour after sunrise. If you can get

your outfitter to allow you to work these giant catfish at

night it can be a blast.

The jungles seem to close around you with hundreds

of strange and eerie sounds which can make your

South American adventure the trip of your lifetime.

‘Bobber’ Anne & her

79 lb. Redtail Cat

‘BAIT WALKER’

WITH CUT BAIT


66

Larry & Dan hold up a 99 lb. Redtail

Consistent

Enormous

Trophy

CATFISH

TIGER CAT


LOOK

LIMITED TIME

OFFER ON THIS

SPECIAL BUY

THESE DEALS ARE GOOD ONLY UNTIL INVENTORY SELLS OUT!

THESE DEALS ARE GOOD ONLY UNTIL INVENTORY SELLS OUT!

For rush orders call Toll-free: 1-877-623-2099

# 00020

holds rods

up to

6 foot

CLOTH ‘ROD’ BAGS

each

Gapen’s cloth

rod bags are

“CUSTOM

MADE”

of cotton and

decorated

with the

Gapen logo.

GAPEN’S “NEW” MULTI-

BEARING SPINNING REELS

WILD RIVER 2

SPINNING REEL

This reel hosts 10 bearings, is

extremely fast acting, carries a

teflon drag and an instant antireverse.

It holds a capacity of 120

yards of 8 pound line.

CRAFTSmANSHIP

you

can

Trust!

WILD RIVER 1

SPINNING REEL

UPC &

Order #

Price

85095 $39.88 Ea.

This reel hosts 6 bearings, is extremely

fast acting, carries a teflon drag and an instant

anti-reverse. It holds a capacity of 130 yards of

4 pound line.

UPC &

Order # Price

85096 $ 49.88 Ea.

# 00021

6 1 /2 foot

TO

7 1 /2 foot

$

4 95 $

5 95


each

CuSTOm-mAdE

Wilderness Rods

WITH IM6 GRAPHITE CLOTH

“Don’t be

fooled by

rod manufacturers

which

boast of

70 & 80

million

modulus

cloth in

their rods

- ask

them

what percentage

of 70 or

80 million

modulus

their

rods

contain.”

If they

are

honest,

most will

answer

that their

rods

contain

less than

20% of

the

claimed

material!

(ONE-PIECE) CASTING RODS

UPC &

Order # Style Length Action Price

10000 Casting 6 Foot Light $79.50 Ea.

10001 Casting 6 Foot medium $79.50 Ea.

10003 Casting 6 Foot medium/Heavy $79.50 Ea.

10010 Casting 6 1 /2 Foot medium/Heavy $79.50 Ea.

10011 Casting 6 1 /2 Foot medium $79.50 Ea.

10012 Casting 6 1 /2 Foot medium/Light $79.50 Ea.

10030 Casting 6 1 /2 Foot Heavy $89.50 Ea.

10019 Casting 7 Foot medium/Heavy $89.50 Ea.

10020 Casting 7 Foot Heavy $89.50 Ea.

10021 Casting 7 Foot medium $89.50 Ea.

10031 Casting 7 Foot Heavy $99.50 Ea.

10026 Casting 7 1 /2 Foot medium/Heavy $89.50 Ea.

10027 Casting 7 1 /2 Foot Heavy $89.50 Ea.

(ONE-PIECE) SPINNING RODS

10050 Spinning (open) 5 Foot ultra Light $69.50 Ea.

10051 Spinning (open) 5 Foot Light $69.50 Ea.

10053 Spinning (open) 5 Foot medium $69.50 Ea.

10054 Spinning (open) 5 1 /2 Foot ultra Light $69.50 Ea.

10055 Spinning (open) 5 1 /2 Foot medium $69.50 Ea.

10057 Spinning (open) 5 1 /2 Foot Light $69.50 Ea.

10058 Spinning (open) 6 Foot ultra Light $79.50 Ea.

10059 Spinning (open) 6 Foot medium/Light $79.50 Ea.

10060 Spinning (open) 6 Foot Light $79.50 Ea.


10062 Spinning (open) 6 Foot medium/Heavy $79.50 Ea.

10070 Spinning (open) 6 1 /2 Foot medium/Light $79.50 Ea.


10072 Spinning (open) 6 1 /2 Foot medium/Heavy $79.50 Ea.

10079 Spinning (open) 7 Foot medium/Heavy $89.50 Ea.

10080 Spinning (open) 7 Foot Heavy $89.50 Ea.


10082 Spinning (open) 7 Foot medium/Light $89.50 Ea.

10083 Spinning (open) 7 1 /2 Foot Heavy $89.50 Ea.

10084 Spinning (open) 7 1 /2 Foot medium/Heavy $89.50 Ea.




68

✩

USA

IN

✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩ ✩

MADE

✩ ✩✩

Gapen’s NEW Kevlar carbon laced graphite, along with the NEW hard wrap of the

graphite cloth has allowed these NEW Wilderness fishing rods to come to the angler

at a much lower retail price.

Similar in sensitivity and strength to graphite blanks of the past, these NEW rods

carry a friendly and fair lifetime warranty.

Your Gapen Wilderness rod will be replaced at half its retail price.

EXAMPLE:

5 and 5-1/2 foot rods retail at $69.50 - Replacement warranty is $34.75



(Plus shipping and handling)

STRENGTH & SENSITIVITY ARE WHAT WILDERNESS RODS ARE ALL ABOUT

CuSTOm-mAdE

Wilderness Rods

mAdE IN THE u.S.A. BY GAPEN’S

✩

✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩ ✩

USA

IN

MADE

✩ ✩✩

Gapen’s

WIlDeRneSS

RODS

are

EXTRA

SENSITIVE

UPC &


10091 Fly Rod 7 1 /2 Foot 3-4 Weight $199.95 Ea.

10092 Fly Rod 8 Foot 4-5 Weight $209.95 Ea.

10093 Fly Rod 8 1 /2 Foot 5-6 Weight $219.95 Ea.

10094 Fly Rod 8 1 /2 Foot 7-8 Weight Ex. Butt $229.95 Ea.

10095 Fly Rod 9 Foot 8-9 Weight Ex. Butt $249.95 Ea.

10087 Fly Rod 9 Foot-4 inch 9-10 Weight Ex. Butt $299.95 Ea.

STEELHEAD

STEELHEAD RODS RODS

If you’ve been looking for a quality steelhead rod this one may be just Ifwhat you’ve you’re beenafter.

looking for

Constructed on a special, “one-of-a-kind” light weight man-drill, a quality Gapen’s steelhead rods this (two one

piece) may be are just as sensitive, what you’re rugged after. and Constructed durable as rods on a that special, cost twice “one-of-a-kind” as much. Both light models weight are mandrill,

Gapen’s with steelhead extremely rods light, (two sensitive piece) are tips asand sensitive, rugged rugged butts which and durable host oversized as rodstitanium

that cost

constructed

guides, twice as guides much. which Bothallow models easy are flow constructed of both fly with line and extremely monofilament light, sensitive during cold tipsweather.

and rugged

Extra butts long which cork host is provided oversized on titanium both models guides, to guides provide which the angler allow with easya flow comfortable of both fly forearm line and

rest. monofilament Equally long during cork forward cold weather. handle Extra is provided long cork for those is provided using this onrod both with models a fly reel to provide and

line. the angler with a comfortable forearm rest. Equally long cork forward handle is provided for

those using this rod with a fly reel and line.

UPC &


10097 Standard (Fly) or Spin 9 Foot, 2 inch Light $169.95 Ea.

10099 Standard (Fly) or Spin 10 1 /2 Foot Light $189.95 Ea.

www.gapen.com

WILDERNESS

FLY RODS

Sensitive, strong and nearly indestructible, Gapen’s

Wilderness fly rods are the fly rod most ardent fly fishermen

have been waiting for. It’s always been known that

some fly rods work best when overloaded by one size of

line. This is especially true when an angler considers buying

a Gapen fly rod. EXAMPLE: If you were to purchase an

8 foot 4-5 weight rod the angler should load it with a WF

#6 line for best performance.

Gapen's Wilderness fly rods are built with the same

100% IM6 graphite cloth which make up the spinning and

casting rods. Like the spinning and casting rods, the cloth

is made in the U.S.A.

All fly rods come in a cloth rod bag, inserted into a

hard tube for protection.

WE MANUFACTURE

DAMN GOOD RODS!!!

– ROD WARRANTY –

If your Gapen rod breaks due to OUR construction, we will

replace the rod on a “NO CHARGE” basis - you only pay the

shipping. However, if your Gapen rod is broken due to customers

abuse, the rod will be replaced at 50% of the original cost you

paid for it, plus shipping.

69

Fish Gapen’s

CuSTOm-mAdE

Wilderness Rods

WITH IM6 GRAPHITE CLOTH

GAPEN’S HiGH moduluS SuPEr flow fly rodS

Gapen’s

WILDERNESS

FREE- - FLOW

RODS

are

EXTRA

SENSITIVE

– ROD WARRANTY –

If your Gapen rod breaks for any reason, we will replace

the rod on a “NO ASK” basis as follows: if your Gapen rod

is broken for any reason, the rod will be replaced at 50% of

the original cost you paid for it, plus shipping. Our customers

find that shipping a favorite broken rod back for replacement

and then ordering one extra saves on combined shipping.

www.gapen.com

WILDERNESS

FLY RODS

Sensitive, strong and nearly indestructible, Gapen’s Wilderness

fly rods are the fly rod most ardent fly fishermen have been waiting

for. It’s always been known that some fly rods work best when overloaded

by one size of line. This is especially true

when an angler considers buying a Gapen fly rod. EXAMPLE:

If you were to purchase an 8 foot 4-5 weight rod the angler

should load it with a WF #6 line for best performance.

Gapen's Wilderness fly rods are built with the same 100%

IM6 graphite cloth which make up the spinning and casting rods.

Like the spinning and casting rods, the cloth is made in the U.S.A.

All fly rods come in a cloth rod bag,

inserted into a hard cloth covered tube for

protection.

Super Flow rods are constructed with

three (3) starter titanium oxide guides

near the reel to prevent line chatter and it

allows the use of heavy-weight line.

70

Special

FREE - FLOW

design

gapen’s Super Flow fly

rods are capable of allowing the

fly rod angler to increase line by

two (2) weights to carry larger

flies and fight heavy winds.

!

Fish Gapen’s

CHECK

oUT

our

USeR-FRIenDly

WARRANTY

SPECIAL NATuRAL JIGS

Real Crawfish Jig

MADE IN THE U.S.A. BY GAPEN’S


UPC &

Order # Color

14400 White

1/16 oz.

14401 Yellow only

14402 Black

14403 Orange $

14404 Green 3 29

EACH

14405 Brown

____________________________________________

14406 Chartreuse

14410 White

1/8 oz.

14411 Yellow just

14412 Black

14413 Orange $

14414 Green 3 89

EACH

14415 Brown

____________________________________________

14416 Chartreuse

14420 White

14421 Yellow

14422 Black

14423 Orange

14424 Green

14425 Brown

14426 Chartreuse

71

1/4 oz.

only

$

4 29

EACH

✩ ✩ ✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩ ✩

USA

IN

This is a

“HOT”

smallmouth

lure

SPECIAL

buy

&

GET !

2

FREE

You pick the

colors and sizes!

Dan Gapen, Sr. spent 8 years tying, testing and retying this NEW lure.

It works on any gamefish which, feed on crawfish. Nothing attracts and

entices fish to strike better than natural deerhair and feathers.

Combined these features with the patented, SNAG-FREE wedge-head of this lures relative, the

UGLY BUG jig, and you’ve created a monster fish catcher.

Smallmouth bass fight over the “Real” crawfish jig, brook trout devour it, walleye can’t resist

it, and largemouth relish it. There isn’t a gamefish which can’t be caught on it; this includes

SALTWATER species such as bonefish, weakfish, snapper, spots and all the others which prowl

your favorite flat.

WORKING THE “REAL” CRAWFISH JIG:

Crawfish are a bottom dwelling critter. Any imitator must be worked down in the rocks

where crawfish live. Rocks provide protection and a place of ambush for

food and home for this bottom creature. The “Real” crawfish jig, due to

its rock walking snagless head, allows the angler a chance to imitate the

crawfish in looks and action.

Work the “Real” crawfish jig

with the current in rivers. Such

action best imitates the natural

action taken by crawfish as current

sweeps them downstream. If

your retrieve is upstream, do so in as slow of an action

as possible. This will keep the jig in contact with bottom

70% of the time. When working rocky lake reefs,

try working the “Real” crawfish jig from the deep into

the shallow areas. This best represents the actions

Caught on a black

taken by crawfish when pursued by feeding fish.

Crawfish jig

MADE

10


Unbelievably

“HOT”

LuRE

!

ANGLERS - IF YOU’VE BEEN LOOKING FOR THAT ONE-IN-A-MILLION

LURE - GAPEN’S NOW GIVES YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO BUY ONE!

The Fish Fry was birthed in 2008 when The Ol’ Man cut a 2” Flub Dub in half,

reshaped and rerigged it to immitate a huge school of newly hatched crappie fry that the

bass and walleye were feeding on, in a clear backwater bay in the lake he was fishing on.

Up until then, the only lure he’d been successful on was a tan-colored freshwater

shrimp.

Reaction of the walleye and bass, in 8’ of crystal-clear water, on the newly cut down

1” crankbait were easily tracked. The first cast with the new designed Fish

Fry produced a near 2 lb. walleye and nearly every

cast thereafter produced a fish to follow. Dan had

come upon a new “HOT” bait. Now it was back to

the workshop to produce a prototype.

That was the beginning and within a year the

new creation was filling stringers of panfish and

limits of gamefish!


“NEW LINE”

OF LuRES

Fish Fry

72

✩ ✩

USA

IN

✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩ ✩

IF IT SWIMS WITH FINS, GAPEN’S

FISH FRY WILL CATCH IT!

1 1 /2 inch

1 inch

Tiny crankbaits loaded with fishcatching

talent! Built with sturdy

“thru-wire” construction, hard

peafoam and razor-sharp treble

hooks which are as good as any treble

loaded crankbait in the world.

The Fish Fry hosts a holographic

natural life-like finish that will

attract all species from bluegill,

crappie, bass, walleye and even

carp. It will be your latest and

greatest SECRET

full

of

fish

catching

WEAPON!

TALENT

Mini Fish Fry

Order #

& UPC Size Weight Color

93100 1 inch 1/16 oz. Crappie

93101 1 inch 1/16 oz. Blue darter

93102 1 inch 1/16 oz. Trout

93103 1 inch 1/16 oz. Perch

93104 1 inch 1/16 oz. Red & White

93105 1 inch 1/16 oz. Shad

93106 1 inch 1/16 oz. Blue Runner

93107 1 inch 1/16 oz. Green Chub

93108 1 inch 1/16 oz. Bluegill

93109 1 inch 1/16 oz. Crawfish

93110 1 inch 1/16 oz. Fire Tiger

Fish Fry

Order #

& UPC Size Weight Color

93120 1 1 /2 inch 1/8 oz. Crappie

93121 1 1 /2 inch 1/8 oz. Blue darter

93122 1 1 /2 inch 1/8 oz. Trout

93123 1 1 /2 inch 1/8 oz. Perch

93124 1 1 /2 inch 1/8 oz. Red & White

93125 1 1 /2 inch 1/8 oz. Shad

93126 1 1 /2 inch 1/8 oz. Blue Runner

93127 1 1 /2 inch 1/8 oz. Green Chub

93128 1 1 /2 inch 1/8 oz. Bluegill

93129 1 1 /2 inch 1/8 oz. Crawfish

93130 1 1 /2 inch 1/8 oz. Fire Tiger

MADE

1/16 oz.

only

$

4 95

EACH

1/8 oz.

just

$

5 25

EACH



FANTASTIC

Fishing Tips:

FROm

HImSELF!

“HOW-TO” WORK THIS ‘HOT’ NEW LURE

(The Mini Fish Fry)

From the first field test of the Mini Fish Fry it proved its worth on multiple fish species

which succumbed to its charms. Testing began on a warm day in early September 2007.

Only a dozen prototype lures had been created for the original tests. Six of them in Shad

finish, six in a Perch pattern.

‘Bobber’ Anne and I decided to try this new lure on the upper Mississippi River which

is rather shallow, rocky and hosts both fast and slow waters. This part

!

of the Mississippi contains multiple species of fish. Walleye, small-

Notably

mouth bass, rock bass, catfish, bluegill, northern pike, muskie and

a wide variety of roughfish swim in its waters.

MADE

I N

Using a five-foot lite spinning rod loaded with four-pound

monofilament line we began to troll above a lift area where AmERICA

water depth reached five to six feet. Knowing this we’d added a

#8 shot a foot above where the line tied into the tiny lure. To

With

allow the lure freedom in its wobble we’d tied a #12 snap-swiv-

Quality

el, one with a round pin, to line’s end and snapped the Mini Fish

craftsmanship

Fry to it. The split shot would take the small lure down to about

& Pride

four feet of depth.

We’d traveled less than a hundred feet when the light rod snapped backwards by a hard

hit. After a tough fight the landing net swung under a 12 1 /2

pound channel catfish. It was the first fish the Mini Fish

Fry had captured.

Yes, a bit unusual but very understandable. All species

feed on tiny fish fry which crowd our fishing

waters especially those which have just emerged

from the egg yolk stage.

Our second fish ended up being a seven pound

carp. It was a battle I’ll never forget. What

pleased me was the fact that this new lure’s #14

treble hooks held so well. After months of testing

it became evident that these tiny trebles

held and never failed no matter how large the

fish.

Note: Have a needle-nose pliers handy

for easier hook removal.

Our testing was confirmed on that very first day

with literally dozens of fish landed. The oddest of

them were a pair of redhorse suckers that sucked the small

lure in as its nose kicked up silt off the bottom in a large

eddy. Other notable fish taken on day one of our field testing

was a 4 1 /2 pound smallmouth and dozens of its chil-

73



WORKING THIS

‘HOT’ NEW LURE

(The Mini Fish Fry Continued)

dren in the 9 to 14 inch size. A five pound walleye and numerous small walleye between

6 and 18 inches were also taken. Our bag included bluegill, rock

bass, a small pike and even a yellow bullhead.

At this point it was obvious Gapen’s had a winner.

Fourteen more months of testing the new Fish Fry line

of lures in two sizes, as well as a dozen colors further showed us we had a

winner. We’d gone from some of the largest lures in the world to the smallest

crankbait with great success.

WHAT’S THE BEST WAY?

As mentioned the Fish Fry series can be trolled. But many prefer to cast it on ultra-lite

style equipment. Four to six pound line is best used but with the regular 1 3 /8 inch Fish Fry,

8 or even 10 pound line will work. Small spinning reels are preferred.

This is a lure you can use in your local creek to entice

rock bass, bream or small bass. It’s a deadly lure when

used in small ponds where weed growth grows to within a

foot of the surface.

Because the Mini Fish Fry is a floater, the fisherman

can encourage a strike by twitching it along the surface to

represent a dying fry. OR, by retrieving in short one-turn-of-the-reelhandle

retrieves causes this lure to dart and dive only a couple inches

under surface. This is an excellent presentation to entice late evening crappie and bluegill

in ponds and small city lakes.

We extensively field test all new lures before releasing them to

the public. It makes good business and ethical sense to do so.

✩ ✩ ✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩ ✩

MADE

USA

IN

Therefore, if you, our customer

is looking for a

“HOT” new bait and you

enjoy using sporting gear,

our new Fish Fry and

Mini Fish Fry is the lure

you’re looking for.

Fish Fry are deadly on crappie

74

all

SPECIES feed

ON

TINY

Fish

Even catfish eat the Fish Fry


1

# Ever had problems getting fish to strike your lure while fishing winter ice?

TIP :

Try dropping your offering all the way to the bottom, jig it 3 - 4 times causing

it to bounce on the bottom. This action creates a dirt boil above bottom which causes

species such as panfish, walleye and perch to come to the disturbance.

Now lift your bait up off the bottom about a foot, hold it to the count of 15 and

twitch it a couple times.If this doesn’t do it, twitch it several more times in rapid fashion,

then hold it still for 15 more seconds. By now you should have been successful. If

not, slowly raise your bait upward. Normally, maybe because the fish believe the bait

is going to get away they’ll follow it and engage.

Your final act if no strike occurs, drop your bait all the

way to the bottom and have it thrash the bottom a couple

times and then repeat the process.

#

TIP 2:

If panfish, walleye, bass or any fish species

with a spiny dorsal fin, aren’t biting and you are

able to view them with a fish finder such as a

MarCum, look to see what position the dorsal fin is in,

up or down.

If the dorsal fin is down the fish isn’t in a feeding

mode. Pick up and go elsewhere.

HELPFuL

Fishing Tips:

FROm

HImSELF!

The Ol’ man

Dorsal fin

in upward position

If the dorsal fin is up and they continually bump your bait they are

ready to feed but you may not be offering the right bait.

To change this, try tipping your offering with an anise-scented Red Ball egg. No

matter what spiny dorsal finned species you’re after, the scent of anise will nearly

always create a strike action to occur.

#

As long as we’re talking scents let me suggest you use the same anise-scented

TIP 3:

Red Ball egg, only one of them, to tip a crankbait when you troll for all

freshwater species with crankbaits. Often it will enhance your catch by 3-4

fold. Take one egg and impale it on one of the plug’s rear treble barbs.

A tip to follow regarding hooking the egg on, allow rear treble on the plug to hang

free. Next hook the egg on the barb which sits at the top of the treble. This will see

your crankbait run true avoiding any side run or unbalancing. This tipping of a

HELPFuL

Fishing Tips:

FROm

HImSELF!

The Ol’ man (Continued)

crankbait will even attract catfish to a crankbait which happened to ‘Bobber’ Anne &

The Ol’ Man last spring when they were field testing the Red Ball-tipped Flub Dub

when after smallmouth bass.

With the smallmouth’s lips shut and off the bite, the two anglers re-rigged, one with

a Red Ball tipped 31 /2” shad-colored Flub Dub, the other without a Red Ball on the

same color Flub Dub. In an hour the Flub Dub with the Red Ball took 6 channel

cats and the lure without took none. To emphasize the effet a similar test was done in

July 2011 with similar results occurring. The Red Ball-tipped Flub Dub took 9 catfish

from 1 - 12 lbs. The Flub Dub without a tipped Red Ball didn’t produce a catfish

but did take a walleye and a bass.

A necessary part

of your fishing gear

CORRECT

SPINNING

ROD

thumb

placement

#

TIP 4:

During countless years of educating the

angling public, The Ol’ Man has maintained

that your thumb is, by far, the most important

piece of fishing gear you have.

WHY SUCH A CLAIM?

Simply put, how you hold your thumb and in what

position you place it on your rod determines accuracy,

punctuation of reel backlashes, and determination of

casting distance. While fly fishing, thumb placement

determines your ability to be an accomplished fly caster

or one who ends up with the line all over his head.

In using a spinning rod, the angler should always

hold the rod as the photo to the left shows. With this

done, the thumb is now extended straight out down

the rod. Unknowingly it has become your gun-sight

to casting accuracy.

INCORRECT

“thumb”

critical!

placement

is

for accuracy


75 F i s h G a p e n ’ s w w w. g a p e n . c o m F i s h G a p e n ’ s

76

The

WORLd

RECORD

BROOKIE

GAPEN’S

Fly Section

‘THE BROOKIE’

1

1 is

Nowhere else but in our nation’s creek systems

does the brilliant coloring of the

4 /2 brook trout show off its flair so well. From

their marbled, rich olive back to the scar-

pounds

let dotted sides and on to a black lined, red

belly with a cream white center, the brookie radiates

color. Creek brook trout probably are the prettiest fish to swim within the currents

of our small waterways.

Sometimes called the speckled trout, brook trout, squaretail, mountain trout, coaster,

aurora trout or eastern brookie, this fellow is generally believed to average between

6 to 12 inches. Most brook trout, which are caught by fishermen, do remain within

this size variation. However, the world record brookie weighed 14 1/2 pounds. It was

taken from the Nipigon River in northern Ontario within 12 miles of where Dan

Gapen, Sr. grew

up.

In some waterways,

the brook

trout is easily

caught in two to

five pound weights.

These areas, for the

most part, are

found in Canadian

waters.

Brook

trout

spawn from early

to late September and on into October in most of our nation’s creeks and streams. To

perform the spawning ritual, they prefer strong flowing areas where gravel beds

abound.

This fish is considered a table delicacy and when fried in hot butter, melts in the

mouth.

Sculpin Minnow

Muddler Minnow FLY

The flat headed sculpin minnow can be found from Alaska, to Quebec to

Tennessee and throughout the northern half of the United States. It is the favored food

of the northern brook trout. The muddler fly best represents the sculpin and was created

by Don Gapen (Dan Gapen’s father) in 1936 on the world famous Nipigon River

in Ontario, Canada. The sculpin is often called the flathead minnow, cockatush minnow,

rock darter, or muddler, as it is called in southern Wisconsin and northern

Illinois where Don Gapen grew up.


77


PICK 12 FLIES ON THIS PAGE - ONLY $17.00

Fly Department

Order # Size Price

11300 #14 $1.65 Ea.

11301 #12 $1.65 Ea.

11302 #10 $1.65 Ea.

11303 #8 $1.65 Ea.

11304 #6 $1.65 Ea.

11305 #4 $1.75 Ea.

11306 #2 $1.85 Ea.

11307 #1/0 $1.95 Ea.

ORIGINAL WHITE

MUDDLER

Gapen’s White muddlers are tied montana style.

Order # Size Price

11309 #12 $1.65 Ea.

11310 #10 $1.65 Ea.

11311 #8 $1.65 Ea.

11312 #6 $1.65 Ea.

11313 #4 $1.65 Ea.

11314 #2 $1.85 Ea.

ORIGINAL

WEIGHTED

MUDDLER

Order # Size Price

11450 #14 $1.65 Ea.

11451 #12 $1.65 Ea.

11452 #10 $1.65 Ea.

11453 #8 $1.65 Ea.

11454 #6 $1.65 Ea.

11455 #4 $1.75 Ea.

11456 #2 $1.85 Ea.

11457 #1/0 $1.95 Ea.

www.gapen.comw w w. g a p e n . c o m

GAPEN’S PROduCE ONLY 1 GRAdE OF FLIES: AAA!

Original

White

Weighted

Black

the ORIGINAL

MUDDLER

The Muddler fly was created in 1936 by Don

Gapen while fishing the world famous Nipigon

River in Ontario, Canada. Today it is the world’s

leading trout fly, sold in as many countries as

there are sporting fish which swim. It’s a fly

created to represent the sculpin minnow, but

imitates a large variety of fish food. Fish

feeding on grasshoppers, nymph’s, larvae,

surface floating flies, sculpins, crawfish and minnows

all fall victim to Gapen’s creation. It is a fly

which can be fished dry, wet, semi-sub-merged, or

keep as a darting minnow.

Selecting Muddler size for the fish you seek is

best done by using #12, #10 and #8 for insect and

larvae life, while bigger hook sizes better represent

minnows, crawfish, and grasshoppers. Weighted

Muddlers should be used to represent minnows.

They have a body wrapped with lead which sinks

the fly instantly, an action that best represents baitfish,

such as sculpins down near the bottom.

ORIGINAL BLACK

MUDDLER

Gapen’s Black muddlers are tied montana style.

Order # Size Price

11320 #14 $1.65 Ea.

11321 #12 $1.65 Ea.

11322 #10 $1.65 Ea.

11323 #8 $1.65 Ea.

Sculpin variy in color brown, grey to tan-orange.

Sculpin minnows are a favorite food big trout.

✩ ✩ ✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩ ✩

MADE

78

USA

IN

The Sculpin

Created

IN1936

Fish Gapen’s

BROOKTROuT

‘The Magus’

THE MAN

and the

MUDDLER

Don Gapen, born in 1906 in

Monroe, Wisconsin, began his fly fishing

career tromping the creek banks

near Orangeville, Illinois. Some of

these tiny spring-fed streams, no

wider than 6 feet, hosted brown trout,

a prize young Don loved to catch.

His father, Jesse Gapen, an immigrant

from England had begun to

pass on his fly tying skills to his son

Don at the early age of eight. Jesse had been taught by his uncle,

Harry Gapen, a half English & half Scotsman who resided in Glasgow, Scotland. Harry,

a true purist of the Scotch tradition of fly fishing

and fly tying was a man slight of build and

sharp of tongue. As he passed on the fly fishing

tradition to his nephew, Jesse, it was done with

the strictest of tradition. Fly fishing and tying

were an art to be carried on in a precise manner,

just like his father had done.

Once Don, Jesse’s oldest boy was of the age to begin fly tying lessons, Jesse on winter

evenings would pass along all he knew and had learned from Uncle Harry. Flies were

tied over and over again until every feather and every hair were put in place just like the

original Scottish patterns. Because the family lacked funds to buy hooks in quantity,

each time a fly was tied wrong it would be stripped and started over again. It took young

Don Gapen five years to become proficient at fly tying but by the age of 13 had gained

the skills necessary to be called a craftsman.

Though trout were scarce in the region around home, Don found pleasure in outwitting

other species such as bluegill, crappie and bass. The Scottish and English fly patterns

he’d learned to tie weren’t adept at attracting the local fish so young Don soon learned

to copy the local insect and numerous species the local fish fed on. It would be this learning

process which would see Don create the world’s most famous fly later on in his life.

When Don Gapen had reached the age of 14 his father Jesse took him along on a summer

fishing adventure all the way into northern Minnesota on the Gunflint Trail to fish

native brook trout. It was a trip which would change the young fly tier’s life. He fell in

love with the colorful 6 to 15 inch speckled trout. It would be a love that consumed Don

Gapen ‘til the day he passed on into the Great Spirit’s World.


Don Gapen with his 10 lb. 8 oz.

BROOK TROUT

79



THE MAN and the MUDDLER

(Continued)

It was a trip that changed all the Gapen family. Jesse and Sue Gapen would make a

commitment to build a tourist camp like no other camp in northern Minnesota. Filing

on government land on Hungry Jack Lake the Gapens came back two years later and

began to build a lodge made entirely out of

white and Norway pine. From Orangeville

they trailered two plow horses which

would be used to skid the huge 50 to 70

foot logs across the winter ice to the hill

which divided Hungry Jack Lake. When

there were enough logs the family, with the

help of an old shipwright from Duluth,

Minnesota named Jack Crowel, they began

to build in the spring.

By summer’s end Jesse, Jack and the two boys Don and

If you’d

like to see

The Original

Muddler tied,

as it was tied

by Don Gapen in

1936 turn to page

158 and buy the

EDUCATIONAL

DVD #20261

“How-to tie the

Original Muddler.”

On the same DVD

there is video of

Don Gapen and

his son Dan,

f i s h i n g o n

t h e i r l a s t

brook trout

adventure

together.

brother Bob had constructed Minnesota’s largest log

structure. It measured 160 feet by 60 feet, all made of

logs.

During the winter when log gathering occurred the

Gapens lived in two canvas tents. They cooked on an

ancient air-tight stove which also doubled as a heating

element. Food staples had to be backpacked in

on snowshoes from the town of Grand Marias, 30

miles away. Meat consisted of deer, grouse, ducks

and gill-netted whitefish, splake and lake trout.

Netting was done under the ice. Whitetail deer

were hunted near and on the lodge property.

In late 1935 Don Gapen, his wife Betsey and son

Dan, with the backing of Jesse and Sue, bought the

CNR Railway’s Chalet Bungalow Lodge at

Nipigon, Ontario, a region famous for its world

record brook trout. Chalet Bungalow was one of

three special resorts the Canadian National

Railway was famous for. Here the previous owners,

the CNR Railway, entertained the royalty of

Europe who would travel by steamship to

Montreal, Quebec where a fancy French resort

would begin their summer vacation. Next came

three weeks of fishing at Chalet Bungalow, then on

to Banff Resort where the royalty was exposed to the

mountainous beauty of the Rockies along with the

variety of wildlife the Rockies had to offer.

With the coming of Transatlantic Air Service there

was no need for the long ocean crossing by steamship.

Times were a-changing.

It was in August 1936 at a place called Virgin Falls on the

Nipigon River that Don Gapen created the Original Muddler

Fly. He was accompanied by two native Ojibwa guides, Don Bushard and John

Sheboyer. At the insistence of his guides Don hooked up a live cockatush minnow one

80



(Continued)


(Continued)

Don Gapen fly fishes the wild

Nipigon River rapids

guide had hand-caught. Moments after the live

bait hit the water’s surface it was consumed by a 7

pound brook trout, Don’s biggest to date.

It was at this point Don took out his fly tying

vise and kit, clamped the vice to the canoe’s

thwart and tied the first Muddler minnow.

Because of Dad’s father’s teachings, Don was able

to create a near perfect imitation of the cockatush

minnow.

Because Charlie Staff of the Prescott Spinner

Company, a guest at Don’s resort, had named

one of his spinners and fly lures the Cockatush,

Don chose the name Muddler, a name given to

the sculpin minnows so prevalent in the creeks

he fished as a boy near Orangeville, Illinois.

Hundreds of brook trout in the 6 to 9 pound

weight class fell victim to the guests at Chalet

Bungalow Lodge in the 1940s through the

1960s. Field and Stream Magazine records were

filled with the trophy trout caught on the Nipigon with the Muddler Fly and another

bait Don Gapen called the ‘NEPAG’.

Don Gapen has passed on to a world where big brook trout continue to swim. In all

his years Don never beat the 10 pound 8 ounce brookie he caught on the Nipigon in

1953. It was his desire to break the world record of 14 pounds, a fish taken in 1919 from

the world famous Nipigon River by a Doctor Cook.

Dad did take three fish over 10 pounds but never the

‘ONE’ he wanted most. Maybe where he now casts

his famous fly my father may achieve his goal.

Reaching the age of 80, I too have failed in that

goal, with my largest brookie just over 9 pounds,

caught on a hand-tied Muddler Fly. I must admit

I’ve tried but in this world a 14 pound brookie

seems nearly impossible. However, if such a goal is

accomplished I’m sure it will be done on the fly my

father brought to life at Virgin Falls on the Nipigon

River.

“Keep trying, Dad,”

Your son,

Dan

Don Gapen’s

Original Muddler

as it was first tied

– POST NOTE –

The world famous Nipigon River is gone now, destroyed by

man because of his need for electric power. Virgin Falls now

lies beneath 75 feet of water on a lake called Hanna.

Don Gapen and son Dan work

their favorite fish - the brook

trout - on their last fishing

trip together.

One last meal of fried orange

brookie fillets for Don Gapen.

Both fish caught on his

beloved Muddler Fly

Muddler Jig

As it was in the beginning,

father & son fish from a

native freighter canoe

Don Gapen works the Nipigon quiet

backwaters for fall spawning brook trout.

With him, ‘Albert’ is guiding the

world-famous angler out of a native

cedar-ribbed canoe.




82

PICK 12 FLIES ON THIS PAGE - ONLY $17.00

Grey Ghost

UPC &

Order # Pattern Size

11350 Black Ghost #10

11351 Black Ghost # 8




____________________________________

11357 Grey Ghost #10

11358 Grey Ghost # 8




____________________________________

11364 Grizzly King #10

11365 Grizzly King # 8



____________________________________

11370 Professor #10

11371 Professor # 8

11372 Professor # 6

11373 Professor # 4

____________________________________

11376 Royal Coachman#10

11377 Royal Coachman# 8




www.gapen.com

Streamer Fly Department


STREAMER FLIES

EXTRA

Money

saving

PRICES

from:

Thief

Marabou Streamer

83

SPECIAL

each for

$1 only

65

Mickey Finn

UPC Order

UPC &

Order #

Pattern

Pattern

Size

Size

11383

11383

Thief

Thief

#10

#10

11384

11384

Thief

Thief # 8

11385

11385

Thief

Thief # 6

11386 Thief ____________________________________

11386 Thief # 4

____________________________________

11389

11389

mickey

mickey

Finn

Finn

#10

#10

11390

11390

mickey

mickey

Finn

Finn # 8

11391

11391

mickey

mickey

Finn

Finn # 6

11392

11392

mickey

mickey

Finn

Finn # 4

11393 mickey Finn ____________________________________

11393 mickey Finn # 2

____________________________________

11396

11396

Black

Black

marabou

marabou

#10

#10

11397

11397

Black

Black

marabou

marabou # 8

11398

11398

Black

Black

marabou

marabou # 6

11399

11399

Black

Black

marabou

marabou # 4

11400 Black marabou ____________________________________

11400 Black marabou # 2

____________________________________

11402

11402

White

White

marabou

marabou

#10

#10

11403

11403

White

White

marabou

marabou # 8

11404

11404

White

White

marabou

marabou # 6

11405

11405

White

White

marabou

marabou # 4

11406

____________________________________

11406

White marabou ____________________________________

White marabou # 2

11409

11409

Yellow

Yellow

marabou

marabou

#10

#10

11410

11410

Yellow

Yellow

marabou

marabou # 8

11411

11411

Yellow

Yellow

marabou

marabou # 6

11412

11412

Yellow

Yellow

marabou

marabou # 4

11413

11413

Yellow

Yellow

marabou

marabou # 2

Fish Gapen’s

Fish Gapen’s

‘BIG GAME FISH’

POPLAR SPHINX

UPC &

Order # Color Size

12765 White #1/0

12766 Brown #1/0

12767 Grey #1/0

12768 _____________________________________________________

Black #1/0

12769 White #4

12770 Brown #4

12771 Grey #4

only $

3 20 each

12772 Black #4

Created to represent large moths stranded on water surface, this long bodied bug is a

killer on the bass species and large trout. An inner deer hair body keeps this fly on surface

no matter what the conditions.

only $

3 20 each

‘WEEDLESS’

CAPSIZE BUG

UPC &

Order # Color Size

11431 White #6

11432 ________________________________

White #1

11433 Brown #6

11434 ________________________________

Brown #1

11435 Yellow #6

11436 ________________________________

Yellow #1

11437 Black #6

11438 Black #1

www.gapen.com

GAPEN’S

Specialty Fly Department


only

$2 70

each

84

‘DAD’S’

HERMIT CRAB

UPC &

Order # Color Size

12773 Green #8

12774 Pink #8

12775 __________________________________________________

Orange #8

12776 Green #6

12777 Pink #6

12778 __________________________________________________

Orange #6

12779 Green #4

12780 Pink #4

12781 Orange #4

“Excellent smallmouth bass and

bonefish fly”

The Capsize fly rides hook ‘up’ making it

an excellent selection for fishing smallmouth

bass in shallow rocky rivers or largemouth

bass in weedy lakes. It is also a great

fly for trout and salmon in shallow rocky

streams.

Fish Gapen’s

GAPEN’S



WEEDLESS MOUSE

UPC &

Order # Color Size

12798 White #2/0

12799 Grey #2/0

12800 Black #2/0

BABY WEEDLESS

MOUSE

UPC &

Order # Color Size

12795 White #4

12796 Grey #4

12797 Black #4

“A deadly largemouth bass fly.”

on ly $

3 70 each

‘SPINNING OR FLY FISHING’

DEERHAIR CRAWFISH

UPC &

Order # Color Size

12803 Yellow # 5

12804 ________________________________

Yellow #1/0

12805 Orange # 5

12806 ________________________________

Orange#1/0

12807 Brown # 5

12808 ________________________________

Brown #1/0

12809 Black # 5

12810 Black #1/0

UPC &

Order # Color Size

12811 Blue darter #2/0

_______________________________________

12812 Blue darter #4/0

12813 dace minnow #2/0

12814 dace minnow #4/0

_______________________________________

12815 Emerald Shiner #2/0

only

$3 20

each

Created by Dan Gapen, Sr., this deer hair and natural hair bug is deadly on all

species, especially bass, walleye, and the trout family, which prey on CRAWFISH.

Inverted hooks makes the fly nearly snag-free. Inner weighted body gets fly down to

where the large gamefish lie.

“Fly rides inverted (hook up).”

‘STAINLESS STEEL HOOKS’

FRESH & SALTWATER STREAMER

only

$2 20

_______________________________________

12816 Emerald Shiner #4/0

12817 Silver Shiner #2/0 each

12818 Silver Shiner #4/0

Created by Dan Gapen, Sr., this hair streamer is tied on a cadmium plated (salt resistant)

hook in an inverted style. This makes it nearly snag-free. Excellent large gamefish fly for

both salt and fresh water species such as northern pike, striper, bonita, walleye, bass,

snook, tarpon, muskie, tuna and bluefish.

www.gapen.com

85

Fish Gapen’s

GAPEN’S



‘STAINLESS’

STEEL HOOK

TARPON

UPC &

Order # Color Size

12819 White #3/0

12820 Black #3/0

12821 Red/White #3/0

12822 Chartreuse/White #3/0

12823 Orange/Black #3/0

“Tarpon & stripers in saltwater,

muskie & pike in freshwater.”

My “WORLD RECORD”

Northern Pike

was caught using this fly!!!

POPPING

TANTALIZER

SURFACE FLY

UPC &

Order # Color Size

12838 Red/White 9” #3/0

12839 Black/Red 9” #3/0

12840 Orange/Yellow 9” #3/0

12841 Blue/White 9” #3/0

12842 Chartreuse/White 9” #3/0

12843 Yellow/Black 9” #3/0

12844 Orange/Black 9” #3/0

only $

4 20 each

‘TANTALIZER’

STREAMER

UPC &

Order # Color Size

12828 Red/White 8” #3/0

12829 White/Silver 8” #3/0

12830 Black/Red 8” #3/0

12831 Orange/Yellow 8” #3/0

12832 Blue/White 8” #3/0

12833 Chartreuse/White 8” #3/0

12834 Yellow/Black 8” #3/0

12835 Orange/Black 8” #3/0

only $

4 70 each

Gapen’s Tantalizer flies are

designed to seduce large

game fish such as northern

pike, muskie, lake trout,

and most salt water species.

only

$

6 70

They do so when other flies fail. In the case of northern pike, this flies body

materials tend to stick and adhere to the fishes numerous teeth. For best each

results, work in a slow, twitching movement.

Tantalizer Streamer Fly: Recommended for use on #8 and #9 weight forward

fly line (sinking tip).

Popping Tantalizer Surface Fly: Recommended for use with #9 and #10 weight

fly rods and #10 weight forward fly line (floating).

www.gapen.com

86

Fish Gapen’s

Pink Shrimp

Norton’s

Special

Comet

Barber’s

Pole

Spawn Sack

Fly

GAPEN’S

Saltwater Fly Department


Beaded Wooly Bugger

www.gapen.com

SALTWATER FLATS

FLY PATTERNS

UPC &

Order # Color

Size

12501 Pink Shrimp (weighted) #4


___________________________________________


12505 Norton’s Special (weighted) #4

___________________________________________

12506 Norton’s Special (weighted) #6

12509 Comet (weighted) #4

___________________________________________

12510 Comet (weighted) #6

12513 Barber’s Pole (weighted) #4

12514 Barber’s Pole (weighted) #6

These saltwater patterns work for bonefish, permit,

weakfish and redfish on tideflats throughout

the fishing world. It matters not if you fish in

Florida, the Bahamas or Christmas Island, these four

flies will take the flat fish of your choice. choice.

SPAWN

STEELHEAD FLIES

UPC &

Order # Color

Size

12551 White #10

12553 Yellow #10

12555 Orange/White #10

12557 Pink #10

12559 Red #10

12561 Fluorescent Orange #10

each

each

Gapen’s spawn sack flies are the

traditional yarn fly which all steelheaders have used

since the spring and fall steelhead runs began.

Worked behind a small split shot which is pinched

to the line 12 to 24 inches above the fly. These yarn

flies do the trick on fussy steelhead.

UPC &

‘BEADED’ WOOLY

BUGGERS

Order # Color

Size

12580 White #10

12584 Yellow #10

12588 Orange #10

12592 Chartreuse #10

12596 Olive #10

12600 Brown #10

12604 Black #10

only

$ 2 50

only

each

$ 1 45

only

$ 1 65

each

Gapen’s Beaded Wooly Bugger hosts a bit of silver

tinsel flash in its marabou tail, a factor which will

entice nearly all the freshwater species it comes in

contact with. It works as a steelhead fly on bluegill,

crappie and all trout species.

Fish Gapen’s

87

Fish Gapen’s

GAPEN’S



Floating

Floating

Grasshopper

Grasshopper

The

The

Wooly

Wooly

Worm

Worm

is

is

an

an

old

old

standard

standard

which

which

catches

catches all

all

species.

species.

Timberwolf Fly

Wet

Wet

Flies

Flies

www.gapen.com

FLOATING

GRASSHOPPER

UPC &

Order # Color

Size

12720 Grasshopper #10

only

12721 Grasshopper # 8

12722 Grasshopper # 6 each

12723 _____________________________________________________

Grasshopper # 4

12726 “Giant”

Western Grasshopper #1/0

$1 95

WOOLY WORM

UPC &

Order # Color

Size

12727 Black #10

12728 ________________________________________________

Black # 8

12729 Brown #10

12730 Brown # 8

________________________________________________

12731 Grey #10

12732 ________________________________________________

Grey # 8

12733 Yellow #10

12734 Yellow # 8

$1 65

only

each

$

1 65

each

‘WEIGHTED’

TIMBERWOLF

UPC &

Order # Color

Size only

11330 Black #10

11331 Red #10

$1 65

each

11332 White #10

Gapen’s weighted Timberwolf fly is one of the

hottest panfish flies in the midwest, but will work on

other species such as trout and grayling and other

species which rise to a nymph pattern.

WET FLIES

UPC &

Order # Color

Size

11200 Black Gnat #10

11201 Coachman #10

11202 Hare’s Ear #10 only

$1

11203 Light Cahill #10

11204 Royal Coachman #10

65

11205 White miller #10

11206 Yellow Sally #10

each

11207 Green doctor #10

11208 Weighted Bee #10

88

Fish Gapen’s

Babine Egg Sack

A

consistently

EFFECTIVE

salmon

fly

Wooly Bugger Flies

Egg

Sucking

Leech

www.gapen.com

GAPEN’S



Pink

Butted

Leech

TROUT/STEELHEAD

BABINE EGG SACK (Weighted)

UPC &

Order # Color

Size

11640 Pink #2

11641 Pink #4

11642 Pink #6

11643 Pink #8

_________________________________________________

11644 Pink #10

11645 Chartreuse #2

11646 Chartreuse #4

11647 Chartreuse #6

11648 Chartreuse #8

_________________________________________________


11695 Orange #2

11696 Orange #4

11697 Orange #6

11698 Orange #8

11699 Orange #10

TROUT

STEELHEAD

(Weighted)

only

$1 95

This egg fly

is specifically

designated

for

steelhead

& salmon

just

UPC &

Order # Color Size

each

$

2 70

each

11620 Pink Butted Leech #8

11621 ________________________________________________________________________

Pink Butted Leech #4

11630 Egg-Sucking Black Leech/Red Butt #8

11631 Egg-Sucking Black Leech/Red Butt #4

_________________________________________________________________________

11635 Egg-Sucking Black Leech/Orange Butt #8

_________________________________________________________________________

11636 Egg-Sucking Black Leech/Orange Butt #4

11900 Wooly Bugger/White & Red #12

11901 Wooly Bugger/White & Red #8

11902 _________________________________________________________________________

Wooly Bugger/White & Red #4

11903 Wooly Bugger/Yellow & Black #12

11904 Wooly Bugger/Yellow & Black #8

11905 _________________________________________________________________________

Wooly Bugger/Yellow & Black #4

11906 Wooly Bugger/Black #12

11907 Wooly Bugger/Black #8

11908 _________________________________________________________________________

Wooly Bugger/Black #4

11909 Wooly Bugger/Brown & Yellow #12

11910 Wooly Bugger/Brown & Yellow #8

11911 _________________________________________________________________________

Wooly Bugger/Brown & Yellow #4

11912 Wooly Bugger/Grey & Black #12



89

Fish Gapen’s

SALMON / STEELHEAD

UPC &

Order # Color Size

11600 Black Gordon # 4

11601 Black Gordon # 8

11603 don’s Wasp # 4

11604 don’s Wasp # 8

11606 Green Highlander # 4

11607 Green Highlander # 8

11609 Rusty Rat # 4

11610 Rusty Rat # 8

11612 The Skunk # 4

11613 The Skunk # 8

11615 Skykomish Sunrise # 4

11616 Skykomish Sunrise # 8

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

only

DEMON DIVER

UPC &

Order # Color

12847 White & Red

12848 Yellow & Black

12849 Orange & Black

12850 White & Grey

12851 Black & Chartreuse

www.gapen.com

each

GAPEN’S

Salmon/Steelhead Fly Department


$

3 70 only

Gapen’s steelhead /

salmon flies are tied

from the highest quality

material and the best

salmon hooks in the

world. These are a bargain

for the most elite of

fly fishermen!

#2/0

‘FEATHERED’ PIKE

UPC &

Order # Color

12856 Red & White

12857 Black & Yellow

12858 Black & Green

This ‘feathered’ pike fly is

extremely effective on

northern pike and ‘trophy’

largemouth bass.

90

INCREdIBLE

Original

Atlantic

Salmon

Fly

$

3 70 Demon Diver

each

only

#2/0

$

2 70

each

5 INCHES

LONG

!

Fish Gapen’s

GAPEN’S



GAPEN’S

Pike/Laker/Striper Fly Department


MR. CRAB

UPC &

Order # Color Size

12745 White #1

12746 Grey #1

12747 Black #1

12748 Orange #1

Stainless steel hooks

CRAWDADDY

UPC &

Order # Color Size

12753 Grey #5

12754 Black #5

12755 Orange #5

12756 _____________________________________________

Brown #5

12759 Orange #1/0

12760 Brown #1/0

12761 Black #1/0

12762 Grey #1/0

Here’s a fly that looks like, acts like and even feels like a crawfish.

If the angler were to rub it with a piece of nightcrawler it would

even smell like a crawfish. Deadly on smallmouth bass, this fly is

equally deadly on brook trout in the far north and any of the saltwater

species which crawl the shallow flats of your favorite Caribbean island or Florida’s

east and west coast. Though the crawdaddy fly looks to be frail in structure, this is not

so. It’s tied of durable material and lasts surprisingly well under the hard strikes of

species such as smallies, walleye, redfish or permit.

CALL

for

Gapen’s Helpful

tips!

‘KICKING’

just

$

3 70

only

each

This is a fly capable of working saltwater eelgrass flats for bonefish, or rocky

river bottom for smallmouth bass. Leaded eyes gives Mr. Crab the action of a jig

while its deerhair body allows the angler to work it with a fly rod. It’s armed with a

brook trout, redfish and walleye on an equal basis.

www.gapen.com

$

5 45

each

Ve r y

duRABLE

FLY

12870 White # 2/0 (6 in.)

GIANT

12871 Yellow # 2/0 (6 in.) only

WEEDLESS FROG

12872 Black # 2/0 (6 in.)

UPC &

12873 Chartreuse # 2/0 (6 in.)

just

Order # Color Size $

4 95

12874 Olive # 2/0 (6 in.)

$2 95 each

12742 Green deerhair #3/0

12875 Brown # 2/0 (6 in.)

Ver y

Gapen’s “Rabbit Runner” Streamers are

BABY WEEDLESS FROG

considered a favorite by many northern dEPENdABLE

12740 Yellow & Green deerhair #2 $3.95 $3.75 Ea.

pike fly fishermen . . .

12741 Olive deerhair #2 $3.95 $3.75 Ea.

. . . fish slowly for maximum results! f ly

91

Fish Gapen’s www.gapen.com 92

Fish Gapen’s

each

LAKER/STRIPER

STREAMER FLIES

UPC &

Order # Color Size

12860 White # 2/0

12861 Yellow # 2/0

12862 Chartreuse # 2/0

12863 Black/Red # 2/0

12864 Grey/White # 2/0

12865 Brown/Grey # 2/0

each

The laker/striper fly was created in 1995 to entice lake trout

in the far north. It has since proved itself on inland strippers in

reservoirs such as Norfork, Beaver, Cumberland and Texoma. Its

original intent was to imitate the cisco minnow in northern

waters. But once the fly was used in the US waters, it was found to

imitate the shad, alewife and large shiner minnow as well. The

laker/striper fly is now being used on most predator game fish

which include walleye, bass, northern pike, muskie, salmon and

lake trout.

WEEDLESS

VENTUARI RIVER

DEVIL

UPC &

Order # Color Size

12737 Black, Yellow & Red # 3/0

12738 Grey, Grizzly & Orange # 3/0

12739 Yellow, Orange & Black # 3/0

‘RABBIT RUNNER’

STREAMER FLY

UPC &

Order # Color Size

just

$4 45

only

$4 45

ea.

A “hair popping” bug for all gamefish

GAPEN’S

Fly Department


CLOUSER MINNOWS

UPC &

Order # Size Color

11470 #4 White

just

11471 #4 Yellow & White

11472 #4 Black & White

11473 #4 Green & White

11474 #4 Blue & White

$3 15

each

11475 #4 Grey & White

11476 #4 Chartreuse & White

The following are made of cadmium-plated

SALTWATER HOOKS

11480 #2/0 White

11481 #2/0 Yellow & White just

11482 #2/0 Black & White

11483 #2/0 Green & White

11484 #2/0 Blue & White

$3 15

11485 #2/0 Grey & White

each

11486 #2/0 Chartreuse & White

Clouser minnows have dominated both the fresh and saltwater fishery ever since

they were introduced in the 1960s. Made with a weighted beady-eyed head, the fly has

the erratic action of a wounded minnow, when retrieved in short, one-foot-at-a-time

intervals.

GAPEN’S

Nymph Fly Department


NYMPH FLIES

Order # Color Size

19129 Tellico #10

19130 Tellico #12

19131 Tellico #14

19132 Tellico #16

________________________________________________________

19133 Tellico #18

19134 Emerging Caddis-Yellow ‘Bead’ #10

19135 Emerging Caddis-Olive ‘Bead’ #10

________________________________________________________

19136 Emerging Caddis-Black ‘Bead’ #10

19137 dan’s Creeper (Weighted) # 8

19138 dan’s Creeper (Weighted) #10

________________________________________________________

19139 dan’s Creeper (Weighted) #12

19140 Hare’s Ear (Weighted) # 8

19141 Hare’s Ear (Weighted) #10



________________________________________________________


Dan’s Creeper Nymph

Hare’s Ear Nymph

19145 Hellgrammite (Weighted) # 4



19148 Hellgrammite (Weighted) #10




________________________________________________________

19152 Hellgrammite (Weighted) #18 Hellgrammite Nymph

19153 Zug Bug (Weighted) # 8

19154 Zug Bug (Weighted) #10




only

$1 65

________________________________________________________


19159 Renegade (Weighted) # 8

Zug Bug Nymph

19160 Renegade (Weighted) #10


each


March Brown Nymph Wiggler Nymph Beaded Stone Fly


________________________________________________________


ALL NYMPHS BELOW ARE WEIGHTED UNLESS INDICATED!

19165 Gold Shrimp (Weighted) #10

UPC &

UPC &

UPC &

19166 Gold Shrimp (Weighted) #12

Order # Color

Size Order # Color Size

Order # Color Size

19167 Grey Shrimp (Weighted) #10

19168 Grey Shrimp (Weighted) #12

Mosquito Nymph

________________________________________________________

19100 march Brown #10 19109 ________________________________

Brown Stone Fly#18 19119 Wiggler Black #12

19169 mosquito (Weighted) #10

________________________________

(non-weighted)

19110 Grey Stone Fly # 8

19120 Wiggler Olive # 8


19101 montana #10

19121 Wiggler Olive #12


________________________________

(non-weighted)

19097 Grey Stone Fly #10


19122 Wiggler Red # 8

19102 Black Stone Fly # 8 19111 Grey Stone Fly #12

________________________________________________________


19123 _______________________________

Wiggler Red #12

19095 Black Stone Fly #10 19112 Grey Stone Fly #16

19174 damsel Fly (Weighted) #6

19124 Prince Nymph #10


19103 Black Stone Fly #12 19113 ________________________________

Grey Stone Fly #18

19125 Prince Nymph #12


Damsel Fly Nymph

19104 Black Stone Fly #16


19114 Olive Stone Fly # 8 19126 Prince Nymph #14


19105 ________________________________

Black Stone Fly #18 19098 Olive Stone Fly #10 19127 Prince Nymph #16


19106 Brown Stone Fly # 8 19115 Olive Stone Fly #12

(non-weighted)

________________________________________________________


19096 Brown Stone Fly#10 19116 Olive Stone Fly #16 19128 Prince Nymph #18

19181 Ant Fly (Weighted) #10

(non-weighted)


19107 Brown Stone Fly#12 19117 ________________________________

Olive Stone Fly #18


19108 Brown Stone Fly#16 19118 Wiggler Black # 8


Renegade Nymph

________________________________________________________


www.gapen.com

93

Fish Gapen’s www.gapen.com 94

Fish Gapen’s

UPC &

PICK 12 FLIES THIS PAGE FOR ONLY

$17.00

Nymph Fly Department


just

$

1 65

each


$17.00


www.gapen.com

Beaded

Hare’s Ear

Beaded

Light Cahill

Beaded

Mosquito

Beaded

March Brown

Beaded

Trueblood

Caddis

Beaded

Prince Nymph

Beaded

Renegade

only

UPC &

Order # Color

$1 65


each

‘BEADED’

NYMPH FLIES

Size

19501 Beaded Hare’s Ear #10

19502 Beaded Hare’s Ear #12

19503 _________________________________________________________

Beaded Hare’s Ear #14

19504 Beaded Pheasant Tail #10

19505 Beaded Pheasant Tail #12

19506 _________________________________________________________

Beaded Pheasant Tail #14

19507 Beaded Trueblood Caddis #10

19508 Beaded Trueblood Caddis #12

19509 _________________________________________________________

Beaded Trueblood Caddis #14

19510 Beaded mosquito Larva #10

19511 Beaded mosquito Larva #12

19512 _________________________________________________________

Beaded mosquito Larva #14

19513 Beaded march Brown #10

19514 Beaded march Brown #12

19515 _________________________________________________________

Beaded march Brown #14

19516 Beaded Light Cahill #10

19517 Beaded Light Cahill #12

19518 _________________________________________________________

Beaded Light Cahill #14

19519 Beaded Golden Stone Fly #10

19520 Beaded Golden Stone Fly #12

19521 _________________________________________________________

Beaded Golden Stone Fly #14

19522 Beaded Black Stone Fly #10

19523 Beaded Black Stone Fly #12

19524 _________________________________________________________

Beaded Black Stone Fly #14

19525 Beaded Renegade #10

19526 Beaded Renegade #12

19527 _________________________________________________________

Beaded Renegade #14

19528 Beaded Red Ant #10

19529 Beaded Red Ant #12

19530 _________________________________________________________

Beaded Red Ant #14

19531 Beaded Prince #10

19532 Beaded Prince #12

19533 _______________________________________________________

Beaded Prince #14

19534 Beaded Original muddler Fly #10


_______________________________________________________


90413 Beaded Olive Stone Fly #10

90414 Beaded Olive Stone Fly #12

95

SPECIAL ‘GIANT’

dRY FLIES

UPC &

each

Order # Color Size

12620 Kook’s Parachute Hex #4

__________________________________________________________

12621 Kook’s Parachute Hex #6

12625 Hexagenia #4

Hexagenia

12626 Hexagenia #6

Kook’s Parachute Hex

The Hex pattern can be found throughout North

America for only short periods during summer months. When Hex’s hatch the

trout species gorge themselves on this enormous mayfly-looking insect and can

be enticed by no other dry fly.

PICK 12 FLIES FROm THIS SECTION FOR ONLY $17.00

Adams

Parachute style dry flies are the best representatives

of flying insects in their last stage of life

Black Gnat

Irresistible

Royal

Coachman

UPC &

Order # Color

UPC & Body Leg

Order # Color Color Size

12700 White White #10

________________________________________________________

12701 White Red #10

12703 Yellow Yellow #10

12704 Yellow Orange #10

12705 Yellow Brown #10

________________________________________________________

12706 Yellow Black #10

12707 Green Yellow #10

12708 Green Orange #10

12709 Green Chartreuse #10

________________________________________________________

12710 Green Black #10

12711 Black Black #10

12712 Black Red #10

GAPEN’S

Fly Department

12270 Adams #10

12271 Adams #12

12272 Adams #14

_________________________________________

12273 Adams #16




_________________________________________


12278 Blue dunn #10

12279 Blue dunn #12

12280 Blue dunn #14

_________________________________________

12281 Blue dunn #16

SPONGE SPIDERS

PARACHUTE STYLE

dRY FLIES

UPC &

Order # Color

Size

12282 Irresistible #10



_________________________________________






FLOATING

each

Sponge spiders are a favorite of

panfishermen when working heavy weed

patches such as lily pads or small cabbage

weeds. This floating insect-like bug is also

a favorite of those who seek trout

species in lakes.

96

________________________________________________________

12713 Black Chartreuse #10

12714 Yellow Chartreuse #10

Fish Gapen’s www.gapen.com Fish Gapen’s

only

$1 65

$2 95


Size

only

$1 65

each


$17.00

Dry Fly Department


!

OUR

DRY Flies

ARE TIED

ON

Laser

sharp

hooks

www.gapen.com

Black

Gnat

Mosquito

Blue

Dunn

Female

Adams

Light

Cahill

Tent

Caddis

only

$1 65

97

each

DRY FLIES

UPC &

Order # Color Size

12100 Adams #10

12101 Adams #12

12102 Adams #14

12103 Adams #16

12104 ___________________________________________________

Adams #18

12105 Female Adams #10




12109 ___________________________________________________

Female Adams #18





12114 ___________________________________________________

Black Gnat #18

12115 dark Cahill #10




12119 ___________________________________________________

dark Cahill #18





12124 ___________________________________________________

Light Cahill #18

12125 mosquito #10

12126 mosquito #12

12127 mosquito #14

12128 mosquito #16

12129 ___________________________________________________

mosquito #18

12130 march Brown #10




_____________________________________________________






_____________________________________________________






12144 ___________________________________________________

White miller #18






___________________________________________________

12150 Goddard Caddis #10

PICK 12 FLIES ON THIS PAGE FOR ONLY

$17.00

Dry Fly Department


DRY FLIES

UPC &

Order # Color Size





___________________________________________________

12155 Tent Caddis #10





___________________________________________________

12160 Blue dunn #10

12161 Blue dunn #12

12162 Blue dunn #14

12163 Blue dunn #16

12164 Blue dunn #18

___________________________________________________

12166 Coachman #10

12167 Coachman #12

12168 Coachman #14

12169 Coachman #16

12170 Coachman #18

___________________________________________________

12171 Hendrickson #10





___________________________________________________

12176 Quill Gordon #10





___________________________________________________

12181 Renegade #10

12182 Renegade #12

12183 Renegade #14

12184 Renegade #16

12185 Renegade #18

___________________________________________________

12290 Irresistible # 6

12291 Irresistible # 8



UPC &

Order # Color Size




___________________________________________________

12191 Flying Ant #10





___________________________________________________

12196 Flying Caddis # 8

12197 Flying Caddis #10





___________________________________________________

12202 Elk Hair Caddis #10





___________________________________________________

12207 Blue dragon Fly # 4



___________________________________________________

12210 Tan may Fly # 8

12211 Tan may Fly #10

12212 Tan may Fly #12

___________________________________________________

12213 Brown may Fly # 8

12214 Brown may Fly #10

12215 Brown may Fly #12

___________________________________________________

12216 Grey may Fly # 8

12217 Grey may Fly #10

12218 Grey may Fly #12

___________________________________________________


98

only

$

1 65

Renegade

each

Hendrickson

Irresistible

Flying Ant

Flying

Caddis

Elk

Hair

Caddis

Wulff

Dry Fly

PICK 12 FLIES ON THIS PAGE FOR ONLY

$17.00

Dry Fly Department


DRY FLIES

UPC &

Order # Color Size

12219 Grey Wulff #10



___________________________________________________

12222 Grizzly Wulff #10



________________________________________________________

12225 Royal Wulff #10



___________________________________________________

12228 White Wulff #10

12229 White Wulff #12

12230 ________________________________________________________

White Wulff #14

12231 Yellow Humpy # 6

12232 Yellow Humpy # 8

12233 Yellow Humpy #10



________________________________________________________

12236 Green drake #10




________________________________________________________

12240 King of Waters #10





________________________________________________________

12245 Cowdung #10

12246 Cowdung #12

12247 Cowdung #14

12248 Cowdung #16

12249 Cowdung #18

________________________________________________________

12250 Queen of Waters #10




________________________________________________________


12255 Wickhams Fancy #10





________________________________________________________

12260 Blue Winged Olive #10





________________________________________________________

12265 dark Olive #10





www.gapen.com

Yellow

Humpy

Green

Drake

King of

Waters

Cowdung

Queen

of

Waters

Wickhams

Fancy

Blue Winged

Olive

Dark Olive

99

only

$1 $

1 45 65

each

each

BASS

BASS FLIES

FOR FRESH ANd SALTWATER!

UPC &

Order # Color

11850 White

11851 Yellow

11852 Black/Yellow

11854 Blue/White

11855 Black/Orange

each

___________________________________________________________

#4/0

11860 White

11863 Chart./White

11864 Blue/White

11865 Black/White

Suitable for fresh and saltwater use. Tied on stainless hooks and

represent a standard pulsating bait that most species feed on.

Excellent to pursue Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass. Saltwater

resistant hooks work on Redfish, Weakfish, and Tarpon, as well as

Tuna, Jacks, Cobia, and Mackerel. Use 4/0 size for Saltwater.

BIG EYE FLY

UPC &

Order # Color Size

11750 White # 3/O

11751 Chartreuse # 3/O each

11752 Pink # 3/O

Created for open water saltwater species to represent

their most preyed upon baitfish such as pinfish - greenies

and sardines the Big Eye is easily fished with an 8 to 10

weight fly rod.

GAPEN’S



ATLANTIC SAM FLY

UPC &

The Atlantic Sam fly

Order # Color

Size was created originally

by Dan Gapen, Sr. to

11760 White # 3/O

represent the smolt

11761 Chartreuse # 3/O

baitfish preyed upon

11762 Pink # 3/O by Atlantic Salmon.

11763 Blue # 3/O However, the Atlantic

11764 Purple # 3/O Sam will entice all

gamefish species both

freshwater and saltwater.

From northern

only $

3 70

each pike to tuna, its a

deadly killer.


#2/0

only

$1 95

only

$

2 45

each

only

$4 70

100

✩ ✩

USA

IN

✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩ ✩

MADE

We

TAKE

great

pride

IN OUR

products

MAGELLAN

OuR LATEST ANd GREATEST Flies

www.gapen.com

The first

Magellan fly

was tied in

the San Juan

restaurant in

Huangelén,

Argentina.

feathers of

the magellan

goose, Dan

Gapen Sr’s,

object was

to entice the

l oca l fish called pejerrey.

Next this

new creation

would be

used on the

of the

mountainous

11468 11469 White

Red

each

Patagonia region of Argentina.

Created in July of 2007 this new fly has gone on to produce

stunning results on North American brook trout,

rainbows, browns, atlantic salmon and char.

It is the barred feathers of the magellan goose

which create the natural barring of baitfish.

– AS YOU READ THIS CATALOG –

NEW COLORS, STYLES, SIZES AND LURES

ARE CONSTANTLY BEING FIELD-TESTED

AND RESEARCHED FOR FUTURE PRODUCTS

101

MAGELLAN

FLIES

UPC &

Order # Color Size

11414 Orange

11415 Yellow

#8

11416 Blue

11417 Black

11418 White

each

__________________________________________________

11419 Red

11424 Orange

#4

11425 Yellow

11426 Blue

$ 2 70 11427 Black

11428 White each

e

__________________________________________________

11429 Red

11464 Orange #2/0

11465 Yellow

11466 Blue

brown trout $

2 95

11467 Black

Using the $2 45

RESERVED SPACE FOR FUTURE ITEMS!

WE’RE ALWAYS WORKING ON NEW FLIES

AND NEW HARD BAITS !!!

Fish Gapen’s

Amazing Savings of $8 to $12 on Our Kits

www.gapen.com

OuR LATEST

ANd GREATEST

fly Fly Fishing Kits kits

“HOT”

SPECIALLY

SELECTED

FLY

KITS

Dan

Gapen, Sr.

has selected

# 30200 # 30201 # 30202 # 30203 a series of

Bluegill Crappie Floating Sinking fly kits for

Bass Bass

Contents:18

$ 19 95 Contents:18

the angler

$

19 95 Contents:10

$17 95

Contents:10

$17 95

who has

doubts

about what

to buy for

his favorite

fish. Each

kit contains

the best fish

catching

flies for the

angler –

personally

selected by

Dan Gapen,

Sr.

# 30204 # 30205 # 30206 # 30207 Dan, a

Steelhead General Western Eastern fly fishing

expert, son

Contents:18

Trout Trout Trout

Contents:18

Contents:18

$19 95 Contents:18

of Don

$21 95

$19 95 $19 95 Gapen, creator

of the

Original

Muddler

Fly, is as

knowledgeable

as any

fly fisherman

today.

All fly kits

come in a

handy,

plastic fly

box.

# 30211 # 30250 # 30251

Northern Saltwater

Pike GENERAL

Contents:10 Contents:12

$24 95 $24 95 $24 95

Saltwater

OPEN WATER

Contents:12

102

# 30252

Saltwater

FLATS

Contents:12

# 30210

Muskie

Contents:10

$24 95 $24 95

Fish Gapen’s

DON GAPEN’S

ORIGINAL

MAGNETIC

CEDAR FLY BOX

UPC &

Order # Color Size

00010 Woodgrain 7” x 3 1 /2” x 1”

$49 95

Don Gapen, creator of the Original Muddler fly, created “NEW”

the worlds first magnetic fly

box in 1946 in Lapeer, Michigan. They were all made OVERSIZED

with the pleasant smelling aromatic

scent of cedar wood. Gapens have reproduced MAGNETIC an exact copy of CEDAR

the original box

(#00010). For an ultimate gift, add one of our FLY fly kits BOXES

to this box!

This is both beautiful and functional as the long-lasting cedar is a

fantastic material for storying your favorite fly collection.

Magnetic strips keep the case closed as well as store your flies in

transit and following use. Great Gapen flies deserve only the best case -

and this is it. Part of our Ultimate Fly 00011 Gear. Woodgrain 9” x 4” x 1 1 /4”

Don Gapen, creator of the Original Muddler fly, created the worlds first magnetic fly

box in 1946 CuSTOm in Lapeer, Michigan. mAdE They were all made with the pleasant smelling aromatic

WOODEN scent of cedar wood. Gapens FLY have reproduced ROD an exact copy of those original boxes

(#00010). We CASES

also have created a second - larger box (#00011). It is produced with the

same quality as the original and with the same material.

The Gapen Ultimate Wooden Fly Rod Case is

constructed as a hexagon-shaped tube, Gapen’selegant fly rod cases host alternating strips

of birch wood and oak wood. The beauty and quality of this item speaks loudly so we

placed our logo on the top. Know that: “This is truly a collectors treasure”.

Purchase Constructed one of as our a hexagon wooden Fly shaped Rod tube, cases Gapen’s from the

Gapen Ultimate Fly Gear collection and elegant a matching fly rod fly cases rod host to wow alternating your friends, strips as of an birch epic

gift wood or and as an oak award wood. to The celebrate beauty a and special quality occasion of this or item achievement. speaks loudly Our so expert we placed tackle our reps

will logo help on the you top. select Know the correct that: “This rod and is truly case combo a collectors - give treasure”. us a call at: 763.263.3558.

7’ - 8’ ROD UPC &

8

$165 95 Order # Color Size

$185 1 /2’ - 9 1 /2’ ROD

95

00001 Wood 54 inches

only

OuR LATEST ANd GREATEST

Ultimate Fly

www.gapen.com

each

each

Don Gapen’s

Original

gear

00002 Wood 60 inches

*EXACT COPY

only

$59 95

each

each

WE BROUGHT

IT BACK - THE

Muddler Jig

LOOKOrder # Head Body

& UPC Color Color Size Price

Structured in a similar fashion to the Original Muddler Fly,

created by my father Don Gapen, the Muddler Jig is graced

with a jig head so the spin fisherman is able to take advantage of the superb lure (fly)

design.

Originally the Muddler Jig was brought to the market in 1971, then discontinued due

to the lack of experienced fly tiers, in 1980. During its first lifespan the Muddler Jig

proved deadly on smallmouth bass, walleye, salmon and all trout species. Nothing better

attracts gamefish than deerhair, feathers and squirrel tail.

Original research proved that the Muddler Jig best represented a bottom-walking

crawfish, a food that all fish named, feed on, and in certain water where sculpin minnows

live. It was also proved as a deadly ringer for the sculpin.

“HOW-TO” WORK THE MUDDLER JIG:

When possible, work the Muddler Jig along the rocky bottom to imitate the sculpin or

crawfish. Short rod tip lifts should be applied as the jig is retrieved. This action best represents

the movement of both the sculpin and crawfish who flourish in the rocky bottoms

of both rivers and lakes.

SPECIAL

Try it

Out

COUPON

11260 Orange Natural 1/16 oz. $3.00 Ea.



Dan Gapen, Sr. with a

brook trout caught on a

1/16 oz. Muddler Jig

during recent research tests.

Debbie Gapen with a 20 inch

Smallie caught on a

1/4 oz. Muddler Jig

during research tests.

BONuS ‘Try-Out’ Coupon

Send $10.00 - shipping included

- and receive one of each

size (3 total) Muddler Jigs to

try out on your favorite gamefish.

CuT ANd SENd COuPON IN WITH YOuR ORdER

103 Fish Gapen’s www.gapen.com Fish Gapen’s

104

A

$

17 45

Value

Check Here

when you include the cost of

each jig, shipping & handling

:)

It may be hard to fish

in heavy waves, but

research shows that it

can be very productive.

By reviewing the diagram

above, you’ll note

we have an extremely

heavy wind blowing

from the northwest. It is

pounding in on a lake

point which houses walleye

along the lake’s outer

shoreline. Such action

pushes any baitfish along

that weedy shoreline ‘C’

west into the protection

of the large rocks on the

point or the bay behind

it. This action by the

baitfish causes lake-held

walleye (deeper water) to

move up shallow and

onto the point to feed on

the disorganized schools of baitfish. At the same time, northern pike in the weedy bay

‘D’ come out to meet and feed on the migration of wind-pushed baitfish. The pike will

stage and feed at the point marked ‘B’ on the diagram, while the walleye will feed mostly

along the 4 to 6 foot drop-off at the point marked ‘A’. Working such structure is accomplished

by using

jig and spinner

combos or by

using medium

lipped crankbaits.

Boat position

can either hold

out front of the

point or from an


FANTASTIC

Fishing Tips:

FROM

HIMSELF!

THE EFFECTS OF “HEAVY WINDS”

C

D

Mainland Point

Northern Pike

Baitfish

Large Waves

Weeds & Lillypads

105

Lillypad &

weedy bay

A

Heavy

Northwest

Winds

B

E

S

N

W

inner position

just to the south

of point ‘B’.


GAPEN’S

ONE AND ONLY

‘Bobber’ Anne

GET TO

KNOW HER

The Gapen Company believes Anne Orth is

a very experienced and informed outdoor

sportsperson in America.

Born August 22, 1958 in Melrose

Minnesota, Anne spent much of her early life

on her parents’ farm. Here she learned to

hunt and fish in the local creeks and farmland.

At the age of 25, she shot her first deer,

at 26 Anne obtained a pilots license and at

28, her first bear.

Over the years Anne has become a competitive

pistol shooter, ranking high in the

midwest shooting standing. Canoeing,

camping and wilderness exploring have all

become her repertoire.

‘Bobber’ Anne, as she’s known within

the fishing community, has fished extensively

throughout North and South

America boating trophy northern pike,

laketrout, salmon, arctic grayling, bass,

tarpon, billfish and the giant catfish of

Venezuela.

Here is ‘Bobber’ Anne with her

World Record Cubera Snapper

(dog-toothed snapper)

just after landing it


Today, ‘Bobber’ Anne has become a

host and co-host on TV, columnist and writer for

several newspapers and

106

‘Bobber’ Anne with her 243 lb. tarpon

which took her 2.4 hours to land

on 40 lb. test line.

This fish was caught in

Costa Rica at Rio Colorado Lodge

Such an

incredible

SPORTS

WOMAN

!

magazines. She also

gives seminars to

children at sports

shows on how to

fish and is a frequent

guest on

numerous radio

shows.

The Gapen Co. is

very proud of their

spokesperson and salesperson,

so proud that we had ‘Bobber’ Anne do

an outdoor cookbook on fish, fowl and game.

(See next page). Why? Because one of

‘Bobber’ Anne’s other hobbies is cooking,

and “WOW” she’s great at that too!


‘BOBBER’ ANNE’S

Cook Book

Order #

20108

‘Bobber’’ Anne, hunter, fisherwoman, TV personality, writer and outdoors

person has spent years gathering recipes which are blended in her

NEW Tackle Box/Gun Case Cookbook. It is a gathering of all species of

game, fish, and fowl, indoor and outdoor food preparing marvels.

Contributed to by Dan Gapen, Sr., ‘Bobber’ Anne’s cookbook will take its

readers through just about every species that walks, flies, or swims in the

North American countryside. Dan has released his favorite wilderness

recipes, ones learned while guiding in Canada’s far north. There are a

number of Dan’s survival recipes such as ‘fish on a stick’ and ‘clay baked

fish’. ‘Bobber’ Anne has contributed

dozens of fish, fowl and game

recipes learned in the kitchen

which are easily cooked by the

lady or man of the house.

This is not just a cookbook, but a fishing,

hunting and cooking tips book. There are dozens of

helpful tips on how to increase your daily fish catch,

learn to better understand the game you are after, or

prepare fish, fowl and game for cooking. Near the

book’s end there are numerous support recipes

which will better enhance the table when fish, fowl

only

$ 10 00

each

‘BOBBER’ ANNE

HuNTS

AND FISHES!


and game are served. ‘Bobber’ Anne’s cookbook

is a must for anyone who loves to cook the fruits

of their hunting or fishing excursion.

As co-host of the TV show . . .

‘FISHING THE WORLD’


. . . the adventure never stops. Here we see ‘Bobber’ Anne showing off a giant King Crab

she encountered on a filming trip to Alaska.

Look for more of

‘Bobber’ Anne’s

adventures on

DVDs - found

on page 158.

107

CREATE YOUR

V E R Y

O W N

memorable

Experience

In spring, gamefish

tend to hold below

rapids, waterfalls or fast

water in river systems.

Spawn and food are the

key draw. (‘A’ on diagram).

However, as

summer heat increases

large gamefish back off

this structure and head

downstream, taking up

positions on bottom rock. (‘E’ & ‘D’ on diagram). But,

when fall winds begin and river water temperature hits the

50’s, big gamefish drop back and work the LIFT in the

river. (‘C’ & ‘B’ on diagram). Here they feed on large

sucker and chubs who gather at

this spot prior to winter migration.

Use 5” to 8” bait to entice

trophy fish at this spot.

WALLEYE ON REEFS

AND LAKE POINTS

Marker Buoy

Walleye in “hold”

Walleye in Migration

Under Water Rock

Anchor Position

Shoreline with Trees

Anchored Boat

Position

F i s h G a p e n ’ s w w w. g a p e n . c o m F i s h G a p e n ’ s

B

FANTASTIC

Fishing Tips:

FROM

HIMSELF!

ROCKS, DROPS & LIFTS -

WHERE RIVERS FISH BEST

Shoreline

C

Rocky Reef

Breezy Wind

Direction

B

Boat Drift or

Boat Position

D

A

Current Direction

Flows at 3-1/2 miles per hour

C D E

river walleye caught

on an ugly bug

- off a lift

Island

Back Trolling

Direction

E

Main Channel Edge

A

The use of marker

buoys

Marker buoys are the key to working

walleye on lake structure. Note

the placement of buoys at point ‘A’

and ‘B’ in relation to the positioning

of feeding walleye. This structure can

be worked via a drift or back trolling

technique, as indicated.

At point ‘C’, a slot in the reef,

walleye tend to migrate in and out,

as shown. Such structure and the

action of walleye schools at this point is best fished from an anchored position, as

shown. Walleye on this structure tend to work from deep to shallow. Place buoys, as

indicated, to take advantage of fish movement on structure.

On the lakeshore point, or island point ‘D’ and ‘E’, four marker buoys easily set

off the structure. Note feeding pattern of walleye as they migrate from deep water

towards the shoreline along reef point.

108


SECRET

Fishing Tips:

FROM

HIMSELF!

FOR BETTER FLY FISHING

RESULTS WITH FLIES

DRY FLY PLACEMENT

Question: I have a hard time attracting fish

to my dry fly presentation where there are a lot

of dead/dying flies on the water’s surface.

What can I do to improve this?

109

Answer: When working a lake’s

surface where hoards of natural

flies litter the surface, attempt to

pick an open space between the

crowds of fly carcasses. Drop your

artificial dry fly directly in the

middle of the opening, allow it to

set for a considerable length of time

without moving it, then twitch it

ever-so-slightly. Continue to allow

it to lie still giving it a soft twitch

every ten seconds or so. This

presentation should draw attention.

Question: I have trouble presenting a dry fly on the surface of running water. It

always gets dragged under and I seldom take fish. What can I do to correct this?

Answer: Direct your cast upstream, hold your rod tip high and strip slack fly

line in as fast as it becomes dormant. Give your artificial fly no action letting it

drift without movement in tune with the current flow.

Question: My friend is an expert fly angler and always produces more trout on

your father’s, Don Gapen’s, Original Muddler Fly. Can you give me some tips on

how I should work that marvelous fly?

Answer: The Muddler created by my Father in 1936 is a very versatile fly. It can

be used as a dry fly, a nymph or a minnow imitator.

The original muddler

sculpin minnow

The Muddler as a Dry Fly: The Muddler easily imitates a grasshopper

when float dubbing is applied. My trick is to spray the Muddler with silicone

GAPEN’S

Better Fly Fishing with Flies

(continued)

boot spray the day before I use it, allow it to dry overnight and pick a stream or

lake where hoppers have become the main food that trout are feeding on. Fish

the Muddler as you would present a dry fly.

as a a floater

The Muddler as a Nymph: Select a weighted

Muddler pattern, the ones Gapen’s tie with red

thread, and make your approach as you would

using any nymph. The great thing about the

weighted Muddler is that it sinks slowly like the

settling motion of a dead fly larva.

If you don’t have a weighted Muddler there’s an easy way to see it sink properly

beneath the surface. Gather some saliva in your mouth, place the spun deer hair

head of the Muddler in your mouth, wet it, then press down with your teeth on the

spun deer hair. This act presses the air from the deer hair and weights it with wet

saliva, causing an immediate ‘sink’ as it strikes water surface.

To add enticement to your Muddler nymph allow it to sink to the count of 5,

then strip 6 inches of line, causing it to reach for surface. Repeat this process until

you strike fish.

Another suggestion regarding the use of a Muddler fly as a nymph: Gapen’s

produces this fly in sizes as small as size #14. Use the small sizes up to #8 to

represent a natural nymph.

Another thought: Gapen’s also makes their Original Muddler in a beaded

style. Try these if you fail to connect with a straight fly. As they always do, beadweighted

flies produce a more erratic action when stripped through the water, an

action which is often needed to attract aggressive fish.

The Muddler as a streamer fly: The angler is advised to use the larger

flies in a weighted style. With the fly sunk beneath the surface, a series of

foot-long strips on the line will create the action needed to entice your

targeted species. If there are no weighted models in your fly box, employ the

saliva-wetting of the spun deer hair head as you would when using the

Muddler as a nymph.

SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS

OF THE

ORIGINAL MUDDLER FLY

The Muddler when Semi-Submerged: The

semi-submerged

angler can use what we call the floater Muddler Fly, the

one acting as a crippled minnow on surface but

allowing the fly to sink partially into the water and dragging its retrieve in short

FFi is sh h G aap pe en n ’ s’ s


110

GAPEN’S

Better Fly Fishing with Flies

(continued)

segments back in a semi-submerged manner. Such a presentation is dramatically

effective on trout, bass and panfish early and late in the day.

This same semi-submerged style of retrieve works extremely well on rivers

where the angler retrieves in a cross current manner,

either downstream or upstream.

NOTE: Gapen’s produce a Muddler Jig, a lure

brought back by demand. See the listing on page 104 of

this catalog. This bait is extremely effective on trout,

salmon, smallmouth

bass and

walleye as well as numerous

saltwater flat species such as redfish.

The original muddler

To obtain a DVD on “How-To” Tie The

Original Muddler turn to page 158 and place

an order. In the DVD I tie the fly exactly as my

father did during its creation on the Nipigon

River in Ontario, Canada.

Dan Gapen, Sr.

Yes, I’m extremely proud of the fly

pattern my father, Don Gapen, created in

the 1930s and we continue to produce it in

the manner which Dad first fashioned it.

Dan Gapen,

sr. with a

muddler fly

victim

muddler Jig

‘bobber’ anne and bob kook

show off a dandy pair of

steelhead Trout caught on

beaded muddler flies

Incorrect

NEED-TO-KNOW

Fishing Tips:

FROM

HIMSELF!

TRICKS TO IMPROVE

YOUR FLY FISHING

Correct

Tricks to improve a beginner or a long-term

fly-rodder begin with position of your thumb.

(see photo at left)

The thumb can, and is, the key to properly

working any style of fishing rod, especially a fly

rod.

You’ve seen or experienced the problem of

airborne fly line becoming wrapped around

one’s head, arms and body. To correct this a fly rodder

needs to perform a motion from 10 o’clock to 1 o’clock as

they cast. This is better done if you cock your thumb such as

indicated in the photo. Such a setting

of your thumb locks the tendons

from thumb up to the shoulder

assuring the rod does not go back past

1 o’clock. ANY ATTEMPT AT SUCH A MOVE-

MENT PAST ONE O’CLOCK WILL CREATE SUCH

A PAIN IN THE SHOULDER THAT THE CASTER

WILL WISH HE HADN’T. In other words one’s casting

arm has now been locked into the proper casting

position.

Next, the LIFT and PAUSE must be enacted in

proper timing.

The LIFT is performed as the rod leaves the 10

o’clock position. It’s done with a sharp snap of the wrist

which gathers the proper momentum.

Incorrect

Correct

The rod as it lifts up and over the caster’s head will see the PAUSE at 1 o’clock

follow. Next, the PAUSE is critical as the line bows out in a long loop past the rod

tip as it reaches the 1 o’clock position. Some would describe this pause as a time set

of 1 to 3 seconds depending on the length of line being cast.

Next, the FORWARD ROD THRUST is performed after the caster feels a slight

tug at rod tip as the line’s back rolling loop straightens out, signaling the need to

force your rod forward to complete the cast.

The DANCE is my expression to the movement of your body as you complete a

fly cast. By this term I ask that you do a bit of rock and rolling with your upper

body.

1) As the line is ‘lifted’ and you begin your cast your casting shoulder moves

backwards in the direction of the backward thrust.


111


112

GAPEN’S

Tricks to improve your fly fishing

(continued)

2) As the tug at rod tip and your rod reaches 1 o’clock the caster now rolls the

shoulder forward which allows the entire upper body to roll forward with the

movement of the line. Thus the rock and rolling

term.

There are other things to refine your fly casting

abilities but these – The THUMB – The LIFT

and the PAUSE and a bit of ‘Rock and Roll’ will

see the beginner or expert see the art of fly casting

performed easier and better than anything else I

can mention. Learn these and

the rest comes easily.

The ol’ man

with a nice

river steelhead

(rainbow trout)

caught on a

beaded

Dan Gapen, Sr.

nymph

fly

Fishing Tips:

FROM

HIMSELF!

STEELHEADING

Steelhead, or Rainbow Trout, as

they’re known in many areas of the

world, are easily caught during their

annual spawning run. Anglers can

use just about any rod & reel they

own, as long as its geared to catch

underwater rock

Numerous

fly presentations

CurreNT

fLoW

Angler

Fallen tree

Angler

hard fighting fish. Fly rods should be of a 7/8 weight or a 9 weight. However, Dan,

The River Rat, prefers to battle steelhead on a 3/4 weight. Probably because of the

challenge more than anything!

Presenting a fly to steelhead (when visible) should be done in a repeated fashion.

As fast as the fly passes the head of the holding fish it should be lifted and

presented again. The fly should be weighted in some manner such as the use of a

split shot or bead. The angle at which you present the fly is also critical. This

should be done in a cross current fashion as shown in the diagram above. The

rapid-fire presentation of the fly will enable the angler a better percentage of

hook-ups and may be the best way to stimulate the steelhead to anger and ultimately

strike your fly.

A QUESTION OFTEN ASKED WITH

AN ANSWER NOW EXPLAINED!!!

The question was a constant one asked by the

fishing guests at my family's resort on the

Nipigon River decades ago. Our answer was to

have our guests bring the largest baits they own.

That was an easy answer

“Think like

a fish”,

If you don’t

feel good

about fishing,

the fish

may be

in the

same

mood!

- Dan Gapen, Sr.

I t

stands to reason that an

oversized bait is often far

too big to catch the small

eating - sized fish. Only a

monster can mouth it.

QuESTION & ANSWER

Fishing Tips:

FROM

HIMSELF!

BIG BAIT = BIG FISH???

The fight

which also spiked the

anticipating spirits of our

upcoming guests. It was

also the remedy to see

huge trophy fish boated.

Today, years later, I've

discovered this remedy

may not always be the

answer but when

an overall analysis of

such a statement can be

the correct answer 85% of

the time.

World record

The Cubera snapper

10 oz. bait-Walker

#12/0 hook and half an

8 lb. Jack for the bait

However, working an extralarge

bait will see the number

of fish of a large size increased

dramatically.

Then, there are times when

the targeted fish is finicky and

prefers to ignore a large bait

preferring one a third its

size. Why? Most of the time




114

GAPEN’S

‘Big Bait = Big Fish’

(continued)

this occurs when a barometer rise or fall is occurring or when the available food

is very small but plentiful. There is also that period of extreme weather when

heavy heat permeates the area you fish. This condition is easily detected by the fact

you too are affected in a negative way by the weather. Simply put – you are just too

hot and uncomfortable when fishing.

Remember this Ol' Man saying, "think like a fish," – if you don't feel good about

fishing, the fish may be in the same mood.

However, the general rule of thumb is the 'Big Bait = Big Fish' theory will be

correct eight times out of ten.

Get out the heavy gear and give it a whirl. BUT,

take along some lite gear to have some fun!

Dan Gapen, Sr.

record size crankbait

for this record sized

brown Trout, for Dan

a very large crankbait

captured this huge Lake

Trout for ‘bobber’ anne

huge Laker caught

on a large yellow

crankbait by

The ol’ man

a 14 inch spinner

bait seduced this

trophy sized

Northern Pike!

SUPER SAVER BUYS

FOR OuR CATALOG PANFISH CuSTOMERS

Panfish Kit Includes:

6 - 1 /32 oz. ugly bug Jigs (Each $1.95)

(white, yellow, black, orange,

chartreuse & purple) Total $11.70


(white, yellow, black,

chartreuse, blue & green) Total $12.60


(white, chartreuse,

crawfish & purple) Total $9.40

1 - “how-To” use DVD $9.99

1 - Plastic Tackle box $2.50

ToTaL reTaIL CosT $46.19

_______________

SUPER SAVER COST: $29.99

(Photo right) Caught on a late fall wing dam this large flathead

catfish was just one of the many Dan Gapen, sr. took on a

large yellow big Jig as they stacked up in winter staging.

(Photo below) ‘bobber’ anne displays a post-spawn walleye

which succumbed to an ugly bug on a wing dam.

SPECIAL

UGLY BUG

WALLEYE KIT

#30261

This kit contains the best

sizes and colors the walleye

a n g l e r

needs to

produce

limits of

walleye

on their

favorite

waters.

SPECIAL

UGLY BUG

PANFISH KIT

#30260

This kit contains the best sizes

and colors the panfish angler

needs to produce limits of

perch, crappie, bluegill and

rock bass on their favorite

waters.

Walleye Kit Includes:


(white, yellow,

chartreuse & crawfish) Total $9.40


(yellow, black,

crawfish & orange) Total $10.00


(yellow, chartreuse,

black & crawfish) Total $12.00

1 - “how-To” use Walleye DVD $9.99

1 - Plastic Tackle box $2.50

_______________


_______________



115



116



GAPEN’S SuPER SAVER BuYS

Panfish / Ugly Bug Kits

(continued)

FOR OuR CATALOG PANFISH CuSTOMERS

Bass Kit Includes:


(white, black, chartreuse & purple) Total $10.00


(yellow, black, blue & purple) Total $12.00


(black, chartreuse, green

& purple) Total $15.00

1 - “how-To” use Walleye DVD $9.99

1 - Plastic Tackle box _______________ $2.50



(Photo right) The ol’ river rat himself with a

decent spring smallie caught on a crawfish-colored

ugly bug at the spot marked “G” on a wing dam.

These kits have been selected

by Gapen’s to contain the hottest

colors ordered by our customers

over the years. You may feel that

you would prefer to select your

own colors for the fish you target.

Please feel free to do so by going to

pages 40-41 to place your order.

These special prices are offered

to get those of you who have never

used the Ugly Bug, as good an

education and deal as we can, to

get you started using this most

productive fish jig we manufacture.

Good Luck!

Dan Gapen, Sr.

117

SPECIAL

UGLY BUG

BASS KIT

#30262

This kit contains the best

sizes &

colors

the bass

angler

needs to

produce

limits of

bass on

their

favorite

waters.

horizontal

balancing head

forces this lure

to keep a level

balance when

vertically

jigged or suspended beneath a bobber.

Current digging wide lipped head design

causes this lure to dig deep when retrieved

against current flow.

The fishing world’s first bottom standup jig

design

enables

bottom

feeding fish

to scoop lure

up off bottom

channel-hugging

walleye in a prestage

position just

prior to moving up

onto the manmade

structure as late

day approaches.

B) With migration

completed the

walleye at 'A' have

moved into a

feeding position

to feed on the

downstream presentation

of food

upstream from the

wing dam.

GAPEN’S

Fishing Tips:

FROM

HIMSELF!

WORKING RIVER WING DAMS

Reviewing a typical

wing dam you'll

note there are

numerous fish on

all regions of the

structure. Manmade

wing dams in

rivers are one of the

most productive

spots in a river an

angler can fish. Let's

give it a go as we

spot our fish targets

from above by

marking each fish's

position.

A) At 'A' we have

C) If northern pike or muskie exist on the wing dam structure you will find them at 'C'.

D) White Bass, a suspended species on the manmade submerged dam, can be found

at 'D' where they enjoy the benefit of being first to feed on the downstream passage of

minnow schools.

E) At 'E' in front of the structure you'll find a pair of large smallmouth bass, or at times

a largemouth bass or maybe a large flathead catfish.

Note: All the species from 'A' to 'E' MUST be fished from an above approach to meet success.

This you can do by anchoring upstream or by a slow stationary troll of your boat

which works your bait (side to side) across these positions of the dam.

118


J

H

I

G

F

E

D

A

C

B

To better understand this the angler is is advised to to purchase Dan Gapen, Sr.'s ‘River

Fishing’ hardback book, better known as as the 'River Bible' along the Mississippi, Ohio and

Missouri Rivers systems . . See page 154 for ordering information.

F) F) At 'F' 'F' if if panfish (bluegill, crappie or or

rock bass) exist on the wing dam they'll be be

found here holding in in the quiet circulating

eddy created by by the stranded

tree trunk or or the backside of of this rock

structure.

G) At 'G' we have placed the three or or

more smallmouth bass that hang out on

the wing dam. They'll be be tucked into the

structure with their mouths nearly

touching rock.

H) Here, behind a a loose stone left over by by dam construction

there'll be be a a single renegade lazy walleye or or maybe aa

catfish. She’s tough to to get at at but generally worth trying for.

I) I) Just at at the dam's lower downstream edge the angler may

find any of of a a number of of species. Bass, walleye, catfish and

even panfish often hold at at the spot we've marked 'J'. 'J'. Here the

angler may find the use of of a a jig jig cast upstream from downstream

below the structure, allowed to to sink, then worked,

does best.

Note: Try a a Gapen Ugly Bug jig jig in in black or or crawfish

color for good results on the manmade rock wing dam.

This structure is is home to to hundreds of of river crawdads, aa

food best imitated by by the Ugly Bug.

body fishing often

produces some very large

bass during the heat of

summer

J) J) At 'J' 'J' the main school of of

channel catfish will hold. Anchor at at the

spot marked 'E' 'E' and work down to to

them with a a 11 /2 1 /2or or 22 oz. Bait Walker

Plus sinker loaded with frozen chicken

liver or or store-bought shrimp.

Start

reading on page 60 60 where you can

learn the exact presentation methods

of of the Bait Walker.


GAPEN’S

Working River Wingdams

(continued)

Wingdams produced more Channel

Catfish than any other structure.

119

Wingdam Walleye

REMEMBER TO WORK YOUR BAIT SLOW

FOR THE BEST RESULTS!!!

angler

Body Fishing, or as it was known on the upper

Mississippi River, Body Slooshing, originated back in 1956 when

I discovered that schools of fish would hone in on the eddy created by my body as I waded

through the shallow rocky areas of our local river, the Mighty Mississippi.

During the following years my friends and I used these tactics to catch hundreds of

smallmouth bass, walleye and panfish the local rivers had to offer.

Not to be outdone ‘bobber’

anne gets wet and wades in

for this dandy caught on

a green crawfish jig.

GAPEN’S

Fishing Tips:

FROM

HIMSELF!

BODY FISHING

HOW IT WORKS:

The angler wades into the targeted area, a spot which contains

numerous rocky structures, plants his feet and faces

downstream. Water which reaches up to the pockets on his

pants or hits the beltline seems to work best.

FFi is sh h Ga ap pe en n ’ s’ s w w w. g a p e n . c o m F i s h G a p e n ’ s

A

A

120

A

B

ugly bug jigs and large

smallies are always part of

the wingdam structure.

C

A

D

A

GAPEN’S

Body Fishing

(continued)

Once there the angler doesn't move, holding for a matter of minutes. Within minutes, if

water clarity allows, the angler will detect movement in the eddy before him created by his

body.

Fish have moved in!!!

Where did they come from? This method of attracting fish is best done during the

hottest days of summer. It's easy and cooling on the angler. Most gamefish in rocky rivers

feel a need to move around at this time. High sun or water temperature may be the instigators

of this.

Please refer to the diagrams on the previous page. One shows the proper position the

angler must take to entice fish. The other shows a typical rocky river from above, along with

the exposed rocks which attract fish. Migration between these exposed rocks is set up by

schools of fish, including rough fish and they will travel to these rocks in search of food

continuously throughout the day. I've marked the best positions the angler should take

between these structures with an arrow and the letter 'A' for angler.

Approaching the targeted fish is best done by the use of a short spinning rod loaded with

an 1/8 oz. Ugly Bug style jig or livebait with a split shot for weight. Your cast need only be

to drop your offering directly beneath your chin, allow it to circle in the body - created

eddy, then set the hook and fill your fish basket, or release them.

Once the fish numbers have been exhausted where you stand there is no need to move.

In five or ten minutes there'll be another batch of fish crowding in on your manmade structure.

Relax and enjoy the soothing water as it flows over your body. Take in the beauty of

your surroundings. Once another school moves in, repeat the angling method.

This is so successful a method of fishing rivers in the heat of summer that I've actually

caught five to six dozen fish in one stand.

It's the variety of species which will amaze you. No matter what fish the river holds, eventually

you'll take some of each.

As I always say, RELAX, SAVOR and ENJOY this Ol' Man's method. You'll surprise

your buddy who's been beating his arm off on the local reservoir only to catch a half dozen

small bass.

Good Luck!

Dan Gapen, Sr.

furthest downstream

spot on the drop and

travel up along it in an

upstream manner gathering

food as they come

upon it. Once at the top

of the drop the school

turns, runs downstream

and repeats its foodgathering

maneuver

along this deep channel

water.

GAPEN’S

Fishing Tips:

FROM

HIMSELF!

FISHING THE STRUCTURE WHERE

TWO RIVERS COME TOGETHER

The ol’ river rat

with a decent smallie

taken off a ‘lip’ on an

ugly bug jig

Treasured as one of Dan’s top secret structures in a river

system, this structure is seldom fished by other anglers but

is known to hold numerous gamefish in huge quantities,

especially during summer and late fall.

The main force of river water comes in from the 'B' channel,

which most of you fish. However, the lesser amount of

river water is carried by channel 'A' Where they connect is

known as the ‘drop area’ and considered a bonanza for fish.

Food being washed in from channel 'A' is flushed over the

drop area where waiting fish stage and feed.

Feeding fish will come in the form of walleye, bass or

catfish holding on a single rock structure where they take

food in the form of minnows, hellgrammites, fly larva or

crawfish as they are washed in. Often there is a migration

pattern set up by fish as the broken migration arrows

points out. This feeding migration will begin at the

Deep water

Drop area

Shallow channel

This structure may be

difficult to spot by the

untrained eye but every

joining of the river’s

diverted channels, or another stream entering, has a drop. In small rivers this structure

can be created by an island in the river which creates a drop of one foot on channel 'A' to

as little as three feet on the channel 'B' side.

On large rivers this drop is much deeper and much harder to detect. The use of an

electric locator is of great help under such conditions.

A

B


121


122

GAPEN’S

...Where Two Rivers Come Together

(continued)

To fish this structure the angler can choose to anchor the boat directly on top of the

drop and await the coming and goings of fish schools as they pass by.

The drop is an

excellent structure

to take spring

steelhead trout on!

This is the

secret spot I’ve found in my local rivers and

it always produced a fish worthy of a photograph

when I needed it.

The three fish on the opposite side from

the drop in the drawing will generally be

large walleye, northern pike or muskie if

they exist in your river. These will usually

hold tight in this spot and await your

offering.

Good Luck

and, if its rough fish you

are after the river ‘drops’

hold plenty of them


I’ve found rigging live bait, such as night crawlers, on a Bait

Walker sinker to be one of the best ways to approach this

drop structure. One strange occurrence that happens on this

spot is that you may encounter as many as 6 or 7 species of

fish each arriving ten minutes apart. Each school may have

fish all of similar size while the heavier fish are fewer in

numbers in a school.

Example: A school of smallmouth bass may contain

as many as 18-fish, in the pound to pound and a half size.

While the next smallies you encounter may go over 4

pounds and there are only 4 or 5 of them. The same is true

of walleye, channel cats and rough fish. The only exception

to this rule is when you encounter white bass. White bass

schools can be high in numbers and vary greatly in body

weights.

Dan Gapen, Sr.

muskellunge

noun

a large pike that occurs only in the Great Lakes

Go to page 158 and pick up copies region. Also of called Dan maskinonge Gapen’s or muskie. ‘River

Rat’ DVDs.

• Esox masquinongy, family Esocidae.

This spot (where two rivers muskelunge, come together), muscallonge, milliganong, along or with

countless others are exposed to

maskinonge

the angling

(and often abbreviated

public

"muskie"

both

or

in

"musky"), is a species of large, relatively

spring’s high water and summer normal water levels.

123

a bait Walker Plus and cut bait

attracted this huge channel cat on a drop

The muskellunge (Esox masquinongy), aka: as

uncommon freshwater fish of North America.

Rocks, especially high rocks, exposed above river's surface can produce goodly numbers

of gamefish. Walleye, smallmouth bass, catfish and trout all seek out this structure

for several reasons.

1 - These rocks provide an excellent area to ambush food as it seeks shelter from the

river current forces.

2 - In the spring smallmouth bass seek out

Feeding Fish

this structure to spawn behind. Generally

there are a couple of sand and gravel Panfish

pockets directly behind the rocks which

D

Walleye or Bass

make excellent spawning dishes.

3 - The rocks provide resting areas for large

A

gamefish to stage in before feeding.

These same resting spots see food come

to the fish, food such as minnows, hellgrammites,

and crawdads, thus less effort

is needed to acquire a meal.

NOTE: 'A' & 'A' – The aggressive walleye and

bass have taken up positions along the current

cuts produced by the above surface rocks. It's

here where these feeding fish get first chance at

C

the downstream-descending food.

Smallies will

hold closer to the

rock while walleye

tend to stage

B

d o w n s t r e a m

where the rockcreated

eddies fade out and water traverses downstream,

once again. 'A' & 'B' – These are noted by the last three

fish in the diagram.

Probably the most fish

caught on exposed

rocks in rivers will be

smallmouth bass

GAPEN’S

Fishing Tips:

FROM

HIMSELF!

EXPOSED RIVER ROCKS

Panfish such as rock bass, bluegill and crappie generally

hug close to the backside of the rocks (these are shown in

green) at the spot marked 'C'. They are easily caught by

dabbling a 1/16 oz. Ugly Bug jig directly on top of them.

Tip the small jig with a tiny piece of nightcrawler and hang

on. The minute it reaches a spot near bottom you'll

receive a strike. Often, if this spot contains rock bass - you

can boat a dozen or more.

F iF sih s h G aG pa ep n e’ n s’ s


128

ROCK

ROCK

A

GAPEN’S

Exposed River Rock

(continued)

One other spot is exposed in this drawing at the

head of the rock. There's a

fish marked at 'D'. It's generally

the largest bass, walleye,

catfish or muskie holding on

this rock structure. This is

the first fish you should target

before going after the

others. He's generally

aggressive and holding

there for one reason only –

to get first shot at food

descending with the current.

To further your river

education pick up a copy

of Dan's River Fishing book,

which can be found on page

153 or buy a pair of DVDs in Dan's River Rat

Series. We suggest you get No. 1 and No. 2 to increase

your knowledge on fishing – see page 158.

Dan Gapen, Sr.

‘DABBLING’

Those of you who have studied my books,

DVDs or attended my seminars have heard

me mention ‘DABBLING’. As easily as I can

I’ll explain this fish capturing technique. In

most cases it occurs next to a bank in a

small boat sized eddy. Water depth can

vary from 3 to 10 feet. Often there is a large

rock or wood structure incased in the eddy

which was the attraction for the fish.

Approach is easy. Run Run your boat in and tie off to the

wood.This will flush the fish - BUT, they’ll soon be back. In most cases they will now use

your boat for structure cover.

Next, using a short rod & reel loaded with a jig which runs level (horizontal) to bottom,

drop your offering to the bottom. If you were to ask me I’d select a crawfish colored 1/8

oz. Ugly Bug. Tip the Ugly Bug with one inch of worm or- a single Red Red Ball egg. Lift the

presentation up a foot off the bottom – ‘HOLD’ – ‘JIGGLE IT’ – ‘HOLD’ – ‘DROP’ – then

lift and continue to repeat until a fish strikes. In many cases you will catch and release a

dozen or more bass, rockbass, bluegill or walleye by ‘DABBLING’.

Give it a try . . .

The Ol’ River Rat

Dan Gapen, Sr.


129

Short up & down

movement

If you fish in brooktrout country,

exposed rocks may hold the

largest trout in the area

Boat

bottom

Rod &

reel

occasionally the angler

will come up with a very

fat cat holding behind

exposed rocks.

Having trouble casting your SPINNINg ROD AND REEL accurately?

Trouble when you cast your casting rod and reel with the line ending up in a rat’s nest?

Maybe the following tips for both will cure these problems. Let's take the problems one

at a time.

Placement of your THUMB on your casting hand will solve each of these problems.

Wherever you point your thumb (see photo at left) will

instantly improve your accuracy while using a spinning rod

and reel.

Proper hand position-two fingers forward and two fingers

behind the reel stem with the thumb stretched out

straight on top of the rod handle is proper.

By placing your thumb in this way and pointing it at your

targeted area spin cast accuracy will instantly improve.

A better explanation is to say your thumb acts as a gun sight, wherever you point it

your lure will go.

One other thing occurs! By hand and thumb placement

positioned this way you lock in the tendon in your hand

which further engages your shoulder and a more correct

casting movement (one directly up over your head) is

performed as you thrust the rod forward.

Casting Rod and Reel

GAPEN’S

Fishing Tips:

FROM

HIMSELF!

THE KEY TO CASTING PERFORMANCE

WITH ROD AND REEL

Correct

As a guide in northern Ontario during my youth I was exposed to all types of 'Round-

House-Harrys' who found casting needed to be performed side-armed with a heavy

thrust.

Consequences of such acts saw their guide (me) impaled numerous times in the head,

shoulders, arms and hands. The stories are too numerous to recount but I will give you

one example.

Guiding a young couple on their honeymoon at river mouth of the Jackpine River

where we were engaging large northern pike I was impaled in the face, just under the eye,

with a very large Eppinger Dardevle spoon. Round-House-Rhoda, we'll call her, had been

previously instructed by her know-it-all husband that to cast a casting outfit you had to

swing it sideways, horizontal to your sitting or standing position with a great deal of

force.


130

Incorrect

GAPEN’S

The Key to Casting Performance

(continued)

Five minutes into our adventure the husband hooked and lost a very large pike.

Excited by the act Rhoda excitedly reacted with a strong swing of her rod beginning back

behind her without looking back.

You guessed it, I was in the way. Rhoda was sitting a mere three feet in front of me on

a wooden orange crate which acted as a seat in the canoe.

There was a loud 'crack' one, which I didn't feel but only heard, then a forward thrust

of the rod which slipped out of Rhoda's hand and fell overboard.

Finally, Rhoda looked behind her, shreaked loudly and promptly fainted dead away.

I'd been struck in the face so hard that it numbed my entire face and failed to alert me to

what was happening.

There I was, with a lady slumped over the canoe thwart and in front of her, a husband

who now was yelling, "what did you do to my bride," and an overboard casting rod and

reel hooked to my face by a very large spoon.

We were two miles from the landing and I had a need to provide calm in my watercraft.

Fortunately, Rhoda had backlashed the reel so badly I was able to easily retrieve it

from its watery grave, cut the heavy black line in front of the spoon and clamp it between

my teeth.

With the husband attempting to get back to his now moaning wife, which nearly

swamped us, I managed to get the 4-horse Champion motor started and head back to the

landing. I'd felt the impact area and knew there wasn't an easy solution to getting the

heavy treble hook out of my cheek. It was buried deep and would require surgery.

By the time we reached the car and drove to town with the 6 inch spoon still between

my teeth, my head was throbbing in pulsating drumbeats.

Once at Doctor Jeffery's office the lady remained a bit hysterical and weepy but was

soon reassured as Doc performed the cut.

"Lady, don't worry, Dan has been hooked all over and I get them out. He's tough! You

should've seen the time he wore a 10 inch Pike Minnow as a halo on his head. The middle

treble had to be taken out of the skull bone," old Doc commented as the Eppinger

Dardevle was ripped from my cheek.

Correct


In the end I received a large tip, an apology, and a hug from the

lovely young lady. I also gave her a lesson on how to cast, using her

thumb properly before going out the next

day. I'm not sure the husband was too

thrilled about the lesson but who cared?

After all, self-protection was at stake.

Correct

Proper thumb placement on a casting

reel (see photos at left)

First – turn your reel handles up as shown

in the photo.

131


GAPEN’S

The Key to Casting Performance

(continued)

Incorrect


Next – point your thumb at the target and allow it to gently rest on

the side of the spool where metal and line meet.

Such acts lock the thumb tendon which runs to your shoulder in

such a manner that it will be impossible to cast in a 'Round-House'

motion.

Casting thrust of the rod will have to go up over your head and

shoulder properly. You now are no longer a threat to others around

you. You've become a proper angler!

Such positioning of the hand on your casting outfit does several

things.

One – It points your thumb at the targeted area you seek and sees your accuracy

improve.

Two – You're able to feather your spool better and prevent what the Pros nowadays

call 'professional overrun'. As a kid I called it a damn backlash.

Three – You will cast further by at least 15%.

Four – Casting, long term, will lessen fatigue on

your arm, thus your arm and shoulder

won't fail at day's end.

Yup, your thumb is the best piece of fishing gear

you own and you didn't have to pay for it. It came free

from Momma!

Good Luck

Dan Gapen, Sr.

Never step

behind a fly

caster when

they’re false

casting!

Dan’s ex-wife, Patty, shows us here

the results she attained after ignoring her husbands advice

NOT TO STEP BEHIND HIM

while he was fly casting.

In the end the muddler fly’s barb was cut off

and the embedded hook was removed.

maybe this is why she is an ex-wife!

132


When using a casting rod, once again your

thumb is key to casting accuracy. By reviewing

these photos you are able to see proper positioning.

With the reel handles pointing up, a position

which forces your rod and reel into the correct

position to prevent backlashes and allows the

thumb to become your gun-sight to casting accuracy,

the angler begins his cast. One other thing

occurs; such positioning of your hand on a casting

reel forces the angler to move his casting

motion up past his head, the proper motion to


133

HELPFuL

Fishing Tips:

FROM

HIMSELF!

WORTH REPEATING!!!

obtain a long, accurate and backlash-free cast. The arm tendon that

controls arm movement has been locked in and no side-arm swings can be obtained.

You’ve now become a far better bait caster.

CorreCT

INCorreCT

Like hand placement is the key on spinning so it is in

fly fishing. Your thumb must lay flat pointed at your

target as shown when you begin. Next, cock your thumb

up, as shown to the right, creating an “L” shape which,

in turn, locks the tendon up into your shoulder. This

action prevents your arm movement from going too far

back on your back cast.

Most will tell you that it’s the movement of your rod

from 10:00 to 1 o’clock that perpetrates the perfect cast.

The cocking of your thumb, as shown here, prevents

the backward thrust of the fly rod from going back past

this 1 o’clock position. This, in turn, holds the rod tip

and line high preventing the tangle of fly line about

your head and shoulders.

CorreCT

CasTING roD

thumb placement

Next, how your

thumb relates to fly

fishing; as mentioned

in the beginning,

thumb position

will be your key

to becoming a

successful fly

fisherman.

fLy roD

locking thumb tendon

in arm for proper

10 to 1 movement

of the fly rod

Like the other two rods and reels your thumb is also the gun-sight to casting

accuracy in fly fishing.


5

# A major problem with the way anglers work

TIP : jigs is that they work them too hard and far too

fast. Slow your jigging down to more of a twitch

at rod tip, then allow the bait to hold up to as much as 30 seconds

without working it again. This is especially true if you

are tipping the jig with live bait or a scented product.

Tiny shallow crankbaits can be forced to run deeper with the use of a split shot

attached to the line ahead of the lure.

Example: A 1-inch Fish Fry crankbait runs between 18 to

22 inches. By adding a #7 split shot 7 inches in front of it

you will see it run 6 to 7 feet deep under normal retrieve

speeds.

As shot size is increased by 1 size - one foot of deeper water is attained. However, you

must increase the length of distance between the bait and the heavier split shot by

1-inch for each additional weight.

Example: A #6 split shot added will need to be placed 8 inches up from the Fish Fry

which will then run at 7 to 8 feet deep.

Note: To make the distance between the plug and the shot too far will only see

the bait tangle on the cast.

#

TIP 6:

MORE

Fishing Tips:

FROM

HIMSELF!

THE OL’ MAN’S “SPECIAL” TIPS

There’s no secret to attracting lake sturgeon, especially during the spring

and fall river migrations. Sturgeon love crawfish and will chomp on any one

they find exposed, night crawlers are a perfect bait for this big guy.

Why? Simple! Crawfish and crawlers have the same acidity

(smell) to them. Our tip to help enhance the bait for sturgeon

is to cross thread a river shiner about four inches long on a

hook with the crawlers. This helps especially when the big

guys are finicky about what they want to eat.

7

#

TIP :

Trolling can be an extremely important

method of fishing on both rivers and lakes.

What may be a problem is getting down to the

bottom. So, instead of using normal sinkers in ¼ to ½ oz.

sizes ahead of your bait we’d like you to go to a wire rig such

as a Bait Walker. Now when using this wire rig, up your

weight to 1 or 1-1/2 oz. Keep in mind, a Bait Walker-style rig walks bottom softly,

doesn’t hang up and allows the angler direct contact with his crankbait, spoon or live

bait. Any action created by the bait is immediately transmitted to the angler’s hands as

well as any strike by a fish.

An additional tip when trolling rivers is that you’ll catch most of your fish trolling


134


upstream in the spring and earlier summer months

while trolling downstream will create the majority of

strikes during summer months..

Why? Bait movement in the early season is

upstream while mid summer sees the complete

opposite occur.

#

TIP 8:


Fishing Tips:

(the Ol’ Man’s “special” tips)

(continued)

Whitefish are a species which most

anglers fail to catch. Occasionally, they

may take one but for the most part a lot

of fishermen go through their lifetime without ever

catching one. Let’s see if we can change that.

Always keep in mind that whitefish are an insect

feeder for the most part. They will take tiny minnows

at times when they are plentiful but if you

really want to catch this species consistently you

must go small and insect-like with your bait presentation.

During the summer months when shad flies hatch on the northern waters of North

America whitefish rise to the hatching of insects to feed on the larvae and floating adult

stage. Often schools of whitefish can be seen cruising the quiet evening surface waters

of your favorite walleye and bass lake. They’re easily noted by their dolphin-like porpoising

of dorsal tail fins breaking surface as they suck in thousands of these bugs. The

use of a fly rod and any dry fly in #12 or #10 sizes will catch these fish.

However, it is when this fish goes deep that he becomes hard to catch. We’ve found

that the holograph 1/32 oz. Flicker tipped with either a maggot or a Red Ball Egg will

entice whitefish during this stage. However, they first must be spotted. With the use of

a sonar fish locator look for whitefish to hold at 40 feet in the spring. They appear on

your graph as a mass of bait fish in a cloud-like mass similar to a group of deep water

crappie. In summer when they pre-stage for the fly hatch, they’ll hold at 20 feet. Another

bait that works on these fish at this time of year is a 1/32 oz. Ugly Bug. It best represents

the mayfly insect larvae which are rising off bottom at this time. If the lake you fish

has a mud bottom all the better for larvae reproduction.

There’s another staging area for whitefish. That’s in the winter. Look for them to

come up on deep reefs that top out at 50 to 60 feet of depth. Here they search out their

food in the sand pockets between the rocky shoals. Normally you find such structure

surrounded by 80 to 100 feet deep water. They’ll suspend off these rocky lifts in 40 to 70

feet in open water.

Because the lures you use to catch whitefish this deep are extremely light you may

wish to add a 1 oz. weight on a drop line beneath your present lure.

No matter what lure you use make your presentation extremely slow. Remember,

insect larvae comes towards the surface or travel ever-so-slowly. The rod you use has to

be extremely sensitive and light to detect the slight twitch of a whitefish’s bite.

135


#

TIP 9:

#

TIP :

When rivers, no matter the size, are being worked, you - the angler, must

remember these three essential things.

1: Food comes with the current so fishermen must

apply a presentation upstream and retrieve downstream

for best results.

2: As much as minnows are the main food base in

lakes, crawfish are often the key to enticing river

fish. Therefore, lures representing crawfish such as

an Ugly Bug jig or anything such as a night

crawler which scents like a crawfish or a combination

of, both work best in rivers.

3: Hard pan bottom, rocks, shale or gravel rock is

easily detected by the surface disturbance it creates.

Hard pan, because of its ability to host food in

the form of minnows, crawfish, hellgrammites and

fly larvae is the third thing the river angler must

learn to work.

4: Hard pan is easily located by the surface disturbance

it creates. Look for boils, ripples, eddies and

any rough surface water action. Here you’ll find

plentiful walleye, catfish, bass, most panfish and

the trout species.

These few tips just listed will help you with river fishing - instantly catching fish on

your first trip out.

10

Just one more thought when it comes to tips. Possibly the best tip I can give

the open water angler is to have you slow down your presentation when

working artificial or live bait. It seems

most anglers I know work their lures or live bait

much too fast.

This goes for jigging, crank baiting, spinner baiting,

spoon retrieving or surface lure presentation.

How do you correct this?

Fishing Tips:

(the Ol’ Man’s “special” tips)

(continued)

‘Bobber’ Anne with an

Ugly Bug tempted

walleye

Simply slow your working of the lure in half,

then repeat the process. Give the fish time to analyze,

inspect and decide on striking your lure. As

I always say “think like a fish!” If your jig presentation

is rapidly jerking up and down and not

rolling across bottom in a natural movement

what species of food does your jig represent? –

NOTHING! That’s right, nothing goes through

the water like that BUT lots of food swims, or

crawls smoothly through the water sphere. I

may have mentioned this numerous times before but it is worth repeating.


136


GAPEN’S

Fishing Tips:

FROM

HIMSELF!

– TO IMPROVE YOUR CATCH –

LOCKS, SWIVELS AND LEADERS

Your Questions Answered

Many of you ask the question about using wire leaders and snap swivels on your lure.

Can it be done without damaging the action of the lure

presentation?

I've found that a round snap swivel can be used, with all lures

without damaging the intended action, (see photos below.) To

better see what I am speaking of, purchase a copy of the Walleye

and Ugly Bug underwater DVD where we used a 6 inch steel

leader, because of the nearby pike population, on our Ugly Bug.

The rounded lock swivel allows a natural action to the Ugly

Bug as it's worked to entice walleye. See page 130 to purchase

the DVD.

LURE COLOR ???

With the tens of thousands of lures on the shelves these days

it's extremely difficult to select the right one for the conditions

you face. The following may help you!

If you live in the area of the country where your favorite water

carries an ice cover during the winter months. One of your most

productive colors is BLACK.

Why you ask? Have you ever visited a dealer in spring and

looked into his bait tanks full of minnows? As you gaze down

into the tank you see movement but it's hard to identify the individual

minnows. The top half of each of them is black with a

lighter color on the bottom. All food baits preyed upon by

gamefish during this time has camouflaged to match their

winter surroundings.


Dan Gapen, Sr.'s

statements in

the tips he

gives in this

catalog are his

own opinion . . .

not those of

other anglers

or some of the

Pros. Dan tells

it as he has

experienced it

over 75 years

of fishing.

Some of what

he has learned

occurred many

years ago . . .

others as

recently as this

past year. . .

All to be

respected!

Two weeks after ice-out this same bait food has lightened up

and can now be easily seen in the dealer's bait tank. Thus, a

lighter color such as yellow, silver, pink or crawfish will work.

Many believe chartreuse is the best color for spring.

Everything I can entice with chartreuse I can entice with yellow

with but one exception, if the water you fish

is muddy and visibility is poor, chartreuse will

show up better.

A good number of variables, when it comes to

color, take place during the year.

In my experiences, glow colors, haven't necessarily

done much to improve my catch.

However, there was one experience I had

where a glow color 6 1/2 inch Flub Dub

worked behind a 10 ounce Bait Walker in 60

137



to 80 feet of water, did make a difference. The lake trout we were after hit the glow bait

three times faster than they did a similar Flub Dub in a white fish pattern, their natural

food in that lake. When tried on other lake structures the same 3 to 1 catch results

occurred. I can only assume the glow of this bait made it easier to see in this deep water.

As crawdads molt in the lake you fish you may be more successful by first using black,

then orange – then crawfish – then brown, on to blue as the crawfish's shells harden

and are replaced. Eventually the color cycle on crawfish will cycle back to black. At that

point the crawfish isn't as desireable a bait as it was when it turns orange, commonly

known as soft craw.

Keep in mind, color varies with the clarity of the water. The clearer the water the

lighter the bait food is. The darker the water the darker the food becomes.

Fish food, like fish themselves, camouflage in color to

match the surroundings.

Good Luck.


GAPEN’S

...Locks, Swivels & Leaders

(continued)

Dan Gapen, Sr.

At my age of 80 years ICE FISHING ISN’T MY

FAVORITE WAY TO FISH. However, seeing Gapens

provide the winter angler with numerous excellent

under-the-ice lures, I feel its my duty to step out on the

ice a number of times during the winter season. By

reviewing the photo to the right, you will obtain the feeling

I have for ice fishing!

Even so, bundled up as I am there are several tips I’d

like to pass on to you who brave the winter blast.

#1: As its true during warm weather angling, most

anglers work their jigging presentation too

fast. Its been my experience that while presenting a jigging

spoon such as a Flicker its best to jig it 2 or 3 times hard after reaching the

desired depth - then allowing it to hold still. Next, give the jig a couple soft

twitches (quivers) and allow it to rest again. Repeat 2 to 3 times and if you fail to

attract strike, slowly begin a very slow lift of the lure extending the lift for about

6 to 8 feet. Generally the targeted fish will follow, and thinking the food is about

to get away, will then suck it in.

#2: Addition of a Red Ball anise egg will increase your winter take by four fold. (See

Red Ball on pages 26, 140 - 142 ).

#3: Four me, the addition of a MarCum underwater camera made ice fishing much

more palatable. As a matter of fact, ice fishing became a joy as I was able to watch

the fish react and strike my baits. If you are more interested in obtaining a

MarCum viewer go to www.marcum.com.

Meet you on the ice – MAYBE!

138


oN

ICE

My good friend Bob Kook of Detroit, Michigan is one of the best perch fishermen I know.

He goes at it methodically and with a great deal of patience. In other words Bob’s approach

to the perch species is to slow down your presentation. On an average day Bob will out-fish

his fishing companion two-to-one or more.

No matter what lure Bob uses, be it a Flicker

(Gapen’s most famous perch jig), a 1/16 oz. Freshwater

Shrimp, a Crappie Vixen or one of the numerous

glow ice jigs such as a Mr. Waxy, the Rock-N-Jig, the

#8 or #6 Hog-N-Jig or the NEW RED BALL which

he helped me create, the lure is worked extremely

slow. At times he will allow his lure to hold still 10 seconds

or more. Once the perch has come within inches Bob Kook and ‘Bobber’ Anne

of the lure and fails to show added interest it is raised display 11 inch perch

ever so slowly. If this fails to cause the perch to inhale caught on the “NEW”

RED BALL lure

the jig, an ever-so-slight twitch is given and the lure is

allowed to settle ever so slowly. Then the process is repeated.

Only if his victim shows no interest does Bob jerk the lure hard, causing it to dart upward

3 feet or so, then settle. This is done to regain interest or bring another fish in to which he

can once again repeat his technique to cause the fish to strike.

Lakes such as Erie, the southern end of Lake Michigan, Devils Lake in North Dakota and

Lake Simcoe in Ontario, Canada are considered North America’s top perch lakes.

Perch abound in most freshwater areas in Central

Eastern and Midwestern United States and not only

provide an excellent table fare but actively challenge

the angler’s skill.

Dan gapen, Sr.

President & CEO

Jim Bobendrier & ‘Bobber’

Anne show off a couple

nice perch caught on

Flickers


FANTASTIC

Fishing Tips:

FROM

HIMSELF!

The Magic of Perch

139

Bob Kook holds up

two (2) 14 inchers

caught on the

“NEW” RED BALL

✩

USA

IN

✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩ ✩

MADE

✩ ✩

✩

oN

ICE

The Red Ball

comes with three,

(3) extra red egg

tippers which are

heavily scented with

anise oil, a natural attractant for

all game fish. The Red Ball lure

is made of tin, an environmentally

safe metal. It is plated in

nickel or gold, which creates a

flashy fish tempter which

fish instinctively gravitate

to. See the Fantastic Fishing

Tips (on the following pages)

explaining

“How-To”

MR. FISHERMAN

ANOTHER “NEW”

CONCEPT

GAPEN’S INTRODUCES:

The Red Ball Jig

UPC &

Order # Color Size Price

92776 Fire Tiger (glow) 1/32 oz. $2.95 Ea.

92777 Fire Tiger (glow) 1/8 oz. $3.50 Ea.

92778 ___________________________________________________________________

Fire Tiger (glow) 1/4 oz. $3.95 Ea.

92780 Silver & Red 1/32 oz. $2.95 Ea.

92781 Silver & Red 1/8 oz. $3.50 Ea.

92782 ___________________________________________________________________

Silver & Red 1/4 oz. $3.95 Ea.

92786 Gold & Red 1/32 oz $2.95 Ea.

92787 Gold & Red 1/8 oz. $3.50 Ea.

92788 ___________________________________________________________________

Gold & Red 1/4 oz. $3.95 Ea.

92790 Chartreuse (glow) 1/32 oz $2.95 Ea.

92791 Chartreuse (glow) 1/8 oz. $3.50 Ea.

92792 ___________________________________________________________________

Chartreuse (glow) 1/4 oz. $3.95 Ea.

92796 White (glow) 1/32 oz $2.95 Ea.

92797 White (glow) 1/8 oz. $3.50 Ea.

use and

92798 White (glow) 1/4 oz. $3.95 Ea.

why the

Red Ball works - and what species it works best on.

SUMMER OR WINTER . . . IT MATTERS NOT!!!

This “NEW” fishing creation the Red Ball, will produce results on gamefish such as

panfish, perch, rock bass, walleye, bass, trout, pike or laketrout.

Gapen’s Red Ball brings o the angler a completely new concept in fishing NEVER

BEFORE SEEN!

WHY??? - All fish, from minnow stage, instinctively feed on the eggs of others, even

their own species. It is this instinct which the Red Ball targets. Most fish spawn (eggs)

tend to carry an opaque orange or red color. It is this shape and color that the Red Balls

duplicate. The main silver or gold body design and color is just a device on which to present

the red egg. It is the body which creates and triggers a fish attraction and draw to the

Red Ball.

As the body flashes, dips, dives and erratically darts towards the fish staging area, it

creates interest and fish come directly to it. But, it is the shape, color and scent of the Red

Ball that stimulates the reaction to strike.

WORKING THE RED BALL: Numerous lifts and twitches at rod tip are

required as the Red Ball is presented. Once in the fish staging zone, this lure

should be held still. If, after 30 seconds, no strike is felt, anglers should twitch

the Red Ball two to three times and wait. Still no strike – repeat the process of

casting or vertically jigging.



140

WHITE

FIRE TIGER

CHARTREUSE

oN

ICE

‘Bobber’ Anne displays a very

large Pumpkinseed taken on

The Red Ball,

while Thumper - looks on!

Thus, there is a natural instinct in all fish species to

feed on eggs or anything which consists of a round

circular shape.

It is a genetic instinct which cannot be withheld when

fish are in search of food.

Therefore, fish, no matter what the species are drawn

to this food’s shape more than they are drawn to the

egg by smell or action. As a matter of fact the Red Ball

is best presented to fish in a still manner (motionless).


A LOOK BEHIND THE

SCENES OF OuR “NEW”

Red Ball Anise Egg

HISTORY:

Bob Kook, fishing buddy, cameraman and good

friend of the Gapen’s first laid the idea of the Red Ball

style jig on Dan Gapen, Sr. after he’d done research

while ice fishing for panfish. Bob noted that more

times than he could count, panfish had a tendency to

attempt to eat the split shot which held his offering

down. Eventually he used just a shot on a hook with

no natural bait, and caught fish. Next, the split shot

were painted a number of colors. Red turned out to be

the best. Then a small 1/4 inch red plastic bead was

placed on a nickel flat spoon hook. It worked! It seems

the flashing wobble of the spoon drew the panfish in

but it was the red bead which they struck.

A THEORY WHY IT WORKS:

All fish species begin as eggs, which in turn - turn into

very small fish fry with a large egg sack attached. The

sack, normally an orangish or reddish color is what the

tiny minnow feeds on while it grows. During this period

of life a fish is extremely vulnerable to predation.

PRESENTATION OF THE RED BALL

Two years of research proved up the following. The

flash and darting action of the tin body of the Flicker

brings the fish in to this bait. But, it’s the red eggtipped

on the metal body which drives them to strike

it. “Strike” will come 90% of the time when the lure is held motionless for

several moments. At times the angler should allow the Red Ball to sit still for as long

as 30 seconds before striking results will occur.

Normally, species such as perch, bluegill, crappie, rockbass, whitefish and ciscoes will

charge into the bait as it is vigorously jigged up and down, and then nose in to within a

couple inches. Only then, when it’s held still will they close in on it, flare their gill plates

and suck the Red Ball in.

In the case of crappie and perch, they will rise as the bait is ingested. This creates an

easing off of line pressure at rod tip. Bluegill, rockbass and other species suck the Red

Ball in and dart off creating a hard strike at rod tip.

141

oN

ICE

The Red Ball

(Continued)

Gapen’s continue with future research on other

gamefish species as you read this copy in their

newest catalog. Research in new lure styles, with the

Red Ball construction and theory are on-going.

Fish such as walleye and bass are now being offered

new Red Ball lures. As of today the new idea is

working well. Gapen’s knows the round ball works.

They only have to develop body styles to carry the

Red Ball to other gamefish.

It is my belief — Dan Gapen, Sr. – that many of

us, as well as myself, have been working our winter

and summer jigs too hard. We’ve held with the

theory that a rapid jigging action is the key to

cause fish to strike.

NOT SO!!!

The rapid jigging action of a lure is what causes the

fish to notice an offering. Thus, drawing them to our

lure. However, if this rough working of the lure continues,

such action will flush fish from your lure. It matters

not if you’ve tipped it with natural bait or not.

Holding it motionless after a series of jerks and

twitches is by far the best presentation. If you have an

underwater camera this theory can be well

documented.

If fish fail to strike the motionless lure, a painfully slow

rise of the bait will renew their interest. If that fails then the

target probably isn’t ready to feed and you best repeat your

attractive jigging action to draw in another fish target.

The Red Ball

Egg Tippers

UPC &

Order # Color Size Price

92770 Large 24 $ 4.25 Ea.

92773 Small 24 4.25 Ea.

92774 Mixed Sizes 24 4.25 Ea.

Available in a 24

pack Red Ball

anise scented

eggs we call

Tippers


www.gapen.com Fish Gapen’s

142

HOLD

Motionless

for

BEST

Results!

oN

ICE

WINTER

Jigs

oN

ICE

ICE - N - ANT

UPC &

Order # Color Size

90700 White #12


$1 ONLY

90702 Black/White #12

85

90708 Black & Red 90703 Purple #12

90704 Brown/Olive #12

90705 Red/White #12

EACH

90706 Grey/Black #12

90707 Green/Yellow #12

90708 Black/Red #12

90709 Yellow #12 ✩

IN

90710 Yellow/Orange #12 ✩

_______________________________________________

90711 Pink/White #12

✩ ✩

90720 White #8

90721 Chartreuse #8 ✩

90722 Black/White #8 ✩ ✩ ✩

90723 Purple #8

90724 Brown/Olive #8

90725 Red/White #8

$1 ONLY

90726 Grey/Black #8

90727 Green/Yellow #8

85

90728 Black/Red #8

90729 Yellow #8

EACH

90730 Yellow/Orange #8

90731 Pink/White #8

Heads

!

DEADLY IN

MADE

or

• Perch WINTER

of

TIN

• Sauger

Summer

• Walleye spin

or

FLY

Dan Gapen

• Crappie

Sr., created the

• Bluegill

Ice-N-Ant for

the sole purpose

of enticing

bluegill (bream).

Since its creation

in the year 2000

it has become a

standard lure for the ICE FISHERMAN as well as

OPEN WATER FISHERMAN. Tipped with a small

GRUB, the Ice-N-Ant takes most species which feed

on insect life beneath the waters of your favorite

lake or stream. Bluegill, crappie, redears and multiple

species of trout fall to the charms of this buggy

little lure. Pick your color and size, then enjoy!


143

USA ✩

MADE

✩ ✩

✩

rods

oN

ICE

All winter and summer

anglers know that wax worms

are a deadly bluegill and bream

bait. When tipped with a small

piece of garden worm or a natural

waxworm, MR. WAXY is a

killer jig. Painted in bright

GLOW colors, this jig attracts

panfish 24 hours a day - under

dark or bright conditions.

‘MR. WAXY’

UPC &

Order # Color Scale

90207 Fire Tiger (glow)

90208 Gold

90209 Silver

90210 White Black (glow)

90211 Chartreuse Orange (glow)

$1

ONLY

90212 Orange Black (glow)

90213 Green Chartreuse(glow)

90214 Red White (glow)

90215 Fire Red (glow)

EACH

90282 Purple (glow)

90285 Neon Trout (glow)

___________________________________________________________________________



90218 Gold

90219 Silver


90221 Chartreuse Orange (glow)



90224 Red White (glow)

90281 Purple (glow)

✩

✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩ ✩

90284 ___________________________________________________________________________

Neon Trout (glow)


90227 Fire Tiger (glow) #12

90228 Gold

90229 Silver

!


90231 Chartreuse Orange (glow) Glows



DAY

90234 Red White (glow) or

90283 Purple (glow)


ICE JIG

WALLEYE ICER

The

Walleye

Icer is

a HOT

1/4 oz.

jig for

walleye,

bass,

trout &

pike.

N I T E

GLOW

!

WINTER

Jigs

The Walleye Icer was designed to give off

an erratic action when worked. Likewise, it

works best when tipped with a minnow or leech. For best results tie the

Walleye Icer directly to the line.

oN

ICE

USA

IN

MADE

✩ ✩

✩

NIGHT

UPC &

Order # Color Size

90235 Silver 2/0 (1/4 oz.)

90236 Gold 2/0 (1/4 oz.)

90237 White (glow) 2/0 (1/4 oz.)

90238 Chartreuse (glow) 2/0 (1/4 oz.)

90239 Green (glow) 2/0 (1/4 oz.)

90241 Yellow (glow) 2/0 (1/4 oz.)

90250 Fire Red (glow) 2/0 (1/4 oz.)

90251 Fire Tiger (glow) 2/0 (1/4 oz.)

90252 Purple (glow) 2/0 (1/4 oz.)

ONLY

– or – $2 00 ANY 3 for

EACH

WOW!

$5 00

MADE

Tin


144

#4

#8

of

!

oN

ICE

✩

USA

IN

MADE

✩ ✩

✩

WINTER

Jigs

oN

ICE

oN

ICE

WINTER

Jigs

oN

ICE

EGG - N - EYE ROCK - N - JIG

TEARDROP JIG

Gapen’s Ice jigs

UPC &

are painted with

Order # Color

GLOW paint

90130 Silver

SIZE:

✩

which shines in

90131 Gold #10

✩

the dark with an

90132 White (glow)

✩

iridescent glow.


✩ ✩

$1

ONLY

90134 Green (glow)

✩ ✩ ✩

90135 Orange (glow)

25


90137 Fire Tige (glow)

EACH

90138 Purple (glow)


Gapen’s ice lures are designed to be

_________________________________________________________

used as lures for ‘all seasons’, winter and

90140 Silver SIZE:

summer alike. Traditionally, ice lures were

90141 Gold #8

!

90142 White (glow)

✩ ✩ ✩

constructed for winter use only. Gapen’s are

USA

IN


not! They are equally as effective through

MADE

N I T E ✩ ✩

90144 Green (glow)

ice or in open water. Mainly constructed for

SLOWLY WAIT

90145 Orange (glow)

✩ ✩

GLOW

panfish such as perch, bluegill and crappie,

FOR THE BITE


OF

✩ ✩

the hook sizes remain small. However,


PA I N T ✩ ✩ ✩

regarding the Hog-N-Jig , this lure can be

MADE OF

90148 Purple (glow)

TIN


used effectively on species such as walleye

UPC &

and bass.

Order # Color

TIN!

WINTER oN

All Gapen’s ice jigs are nickel plated

90160 Silver

SIZE:

prior to glow paint being sprayed on. Such

90161 Gold

action prevents corrosion in tackle boxes.

#8

HOG - N - JIG

90162 White (glow)

Jigs ICE


UPC &

90167 Green (glow)

$1 ONLY

Order # Color

90165 Orange (glow)

SIZE:

90120 Silver

90166 Red (glow)

25 UPC &

Order # Color

90121 Gold #8


90180 Silver

SIZE:

EACH

90122 White (glow)


90181 Gold


$1

ONLY

90170 Purple (glow)

90182 White (glow) #8

90124 Green (glow)

25



_______________________________________________________

90184 Green (glow)

90125 Orange (glow)

90259 Purple (glow)

$1

ONLY

SIZE:

90185 Orange (glow)

90126 Red (glow) EACH

90260 Silver #10

90186 Blue (glow)

50 90128 Purple (glow)

90261 Gold


90159 ____________________________________________________________________

Neon Trout (glow)

90262 White (glow)


EACH

90110 Silver


!

90290 Purple (glow)

SIZE:

90111 Gold

90265 Orange (glow)

MADE

90286 __________________________________________________________

Neon Trout (glow)

UPC &


90266 Red (glow)


OF

90190 Silver

Order # Color

90267 Green (glow)

90191 Gold

SIZE:

90206 Blue (glow)

90114 Green (glow)

90268 Fire Tiger (glow) TIN

N I T E

90192 White (glow)

90199 Fire Red (glow) SIZE:

#6

90115 Orange (glow)



90198 Fire Tiger (glow) #4

90116 Red (glow) GLOW

_______________________________________________________


90194 Green (glow)

90292 Purple (glow)

90117 Purple (glow) PAINT

90270 Silver

90195 Orange (glow)

90288 ________________________________________________________________

Neon Trout (glow)

SIZE:

____________________________________________________________________


90271 Gold

90196 Blue (glow) N O N -

90173 Silver

#12

90100 Silver

90272 White (glow)


SIZE:

SIZE:


CORROSIVE 90174 Gold

90101 Gold #12


90102 White (glow)

90275 Orange (glow) N I T E

90291 Purple (glow)


nickel

90287 ____________________________________________

Neon Trout (glow) PLATED



N O N -

90276 Red (glow) GLOW

90104 Green (glow)

CORROSIVE

90277 Green (glow) PA I N T

90200 Silver

JIG

90177 Green (glow) ONLY

90201 Gold

90178 Orange (glow)

90105 Orange (glow)


90106 Red (glow)

nickel

90202 White (glow)

90179 Yellow (glow)


PLATED

90107 Purple (glow)

90280 Purple (glow) MADE


90293 Purple (glow)

$1 50

SIZE:

EACH

90108 Neon Trout (glow) head

90204 Green (glow)


90274 Neon Trout (glow) in USA!

#4

90205 Orange (glow)



145

F i s h G a p e n ’ s w w w. g a p e n . c o m 146


MADE

BEADED

BLUEGILL BUG

UPC &

Order # Color Size

90300 Green #10

90301 Green #12

90302 ________________________________

Green #14

90305 White #10

90306 White #12

90307 ________________________________

White #14

90310 Orange #10

90311 Orange #12

90312 ________________________________

Orange #14

90315 Black #10

90316 Black #12

90317 Black #14

BEADED

MAGGOT

UPC &

Order # Color Size

90350 White #10

90351 White #12

90352 ________________________________

White #14

90355 Green #10

90356 Green #12

90357 ________________________________

Green #14

90360 Orange #10

90361 Orange #12

90362 ________________________________

Orange #14

90365 Black #10

90366 Black #12

90367 Black #14

www.gapen.com

BEADED ICE

Hand-Tied Jigs

$1

ONLY

65

EACH

147

Gapen’s have added these new ice jigs

to their winter line of lures due to the

excellent results on panfish and trout

during a three year research study.

They’ve proven to represent the natural

food of the insect feeding fish species.

When working this style of winter jig,

do so very, very slowly. Allow the fly/jig

to settle, then twitch it gently upwards

and repeat the procedure as often as it

takes to entice the fish. You may, if you

wish, add a tiny piece of worm, maggot

or waxie.

THIS SPACE IS RESERVED

FOR OUR NEW PRODUCTS

WHICH ARE CURRENTLY

BEING FIELD-TESTED!

$1

ONLY

65

EACH

Tip:

Gapen’s NEW beaded ice flies weigh

just 1/100 to 1/64th of an ounce and

are a bit light for the ice fisherman

who uses heavier line than four (4)

pound test. To offset this, add a piece

of shot a foot or so above the lure.

However, Gapen’s beaded ice flies

are best used when allowed to settle

in a natural fashion, slowly. This

action best represents insect larva in

water. Weights #14 : 1/100th oz.,

#12 : 1/80th oz., and #10 : 1/64th oz.

ANOTHER FASCINATING TIP:

The slower you fish the Bluegill Bug and the Maggot,

the more fish you will attract!!!

oN

ICE

Mosquito

Larva

Caddis

Larva

Hare’s Ear Larva

Stone Fly

Larva

Lt. Cahill

Larva

Fly Jigs

BEADED

INSECT LARVA

UPC &

Order # Style Color Size

90400 Mosquito Larva Grey/Brown #10

90401 Mosquito Larva Grey/Brown #12

90402 ____________________________________________________________________

Mosquito Larva Grey/Brown #14

90405 Trueblood Caddis Larva Green #10

90406 Trueblood Caddis Larva Green #12

90407 ____________________________________________________________________

Trueblood Caddis Larva Green #14

90410 Stone Fly Larva Black #10

90411 Stone Fly Larva Black #12

90412 ____________________________________________________________________

Stone Fly Larva Black #14

90415 Stone Fly Larva Yellow #10

90416 Stone Fly Larva Yellow #12

90417 ____________________________________________________________________

Stone Fly Larva Yellow #14

90420 Hare’s Ear Larva Gray #10

90421 Hare’s Ear Larva Gray #12

90422 ____________________________________________________________________

Hare’s Ear Larva Gray #14

90430 Light Cahill Larva Tan #10



FANTASTIC

Fishing Tips:

FROM

HIMSELF!

“How-To” use

ICE JIGS

oN

ICE

– SPECIAL HINTS –

$1

ONLY

65

During winter months, when fishing through the ice, lower jig to desired depth and

twitch slightly. DO NOT over-do twitching action. Add meal worm or bits of garden worm

to jig for added scent.

During summer months in open water, use any of these jigs previously shown on a bobber/float.

Each has enough weight to sink readily. They also can be used on a fly rod. The

Hog-N-Jig

in size #4 is an excellent walleye and big game fish jig. Great results can be

attained on bluegill by using Mr. Waxy or our Egg-N-Eye Jig.

NOTE: Ice fishing equipment (rods & reels) have changed dramatically over the

years. Rods are now graphite, preferred length 2 feet. Graphite is far more

sensitive than glass or bamboo. Reels are often an ultra lite openface, once used

in summer for panfish. Line weight preferred by most is 2 pound with 4 pound being

the heavier size. REMEMBER, all fish species in winter ice fishing conditions are

lethargic and slow moving. Thus, they fight less than they do in summer mode.

148


EACH

only

$14 95 each

BLUEGILL KIT

only $

14 95


CRAPPIE KIT

Contents Order # 30150

4-ugly Bugs 1/32 oz. (White, Black,

Purple, Green)

2-ugly Bugs 1/16 oz. (Black, Clear glitter)

4-Jigets 1/64 oz. (White, Black,

Chartreuse, Pink)

4-Twist Jiget Tails

(Assorted colors)

6-Mouseys 1/64 oz. (Assorted colors)

6-Mouseys Extra Bodies

(Assorted colors)

Contains 26 assorted jigs and accessories in

varying sizes and colors.

Each

KIT

A

“SALE” EXTRA-SPECIAL VALuE

C O M E S IN

FREE

Reusable

TACKLE

BOX

Lure Kits

TROUT KIT

149

✩

USA

IN

✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩ ✩

MADE

✩ ✩

✩


3-ugly Bugs 1/16 oz. (White, Pink, Chartreuse)

2-ugly Bugs 1/32 oz. (White, Blue)

2-Freshwater Shrimp 1/32 oz. (Yellow, Chartreuse)

1-Freshwater Shrimp 1/16 oz. (Natural)

4-Jigets 1/32 oz. (White, Black,

Chartreuse, Clear)

4-Twist Jiget Tails

(Assorted colors)

Contains 16 assorted jigs and accessories in

varying sizes and colors.

✩ ✩

USA

IN

✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩ ✩

MADE

only

each

$14 95

each


4-ugly Bugs 1/32 oz. (Brown, Black, Purple, Green)

4-Jigets 1/64 oz. (Red, Black, Olive, Pink)

4-Twist Jiget Tails

(Assorted colors)

4-Mouseys 1/64 oz. (Assorted colors)

4-Mouseys Extra Bodies (Assorted colors)

2-Hog-N-Jigs #8 (Chartreuse, Orange)

1-Egg-N-Eye #12 (Gold/Brown)

1-Egg-N-Eye #10 (Green/Chartreuse)

1-Teardrop #10 (Gold)

1-Rock-N-Jig #10 (Silver)

Contains 26 assorted jigs and accessories

in varying sizes and colors.

“SALE” EXTRA-SPECIAL VALuE

LARGEMOUTH

BASS KIT

Contents (18 Pieces) Order # 30170

2-ugly Bugs 1/4 oz.

(White & Purple)

1-ugly Bugs 5/8 oz.

(Black)

2-Freshwater Shrimp 1/4 oz.

(Purple & Olive)


(Crawfish)

4-Twist Jigs

3/8 oz.

(Assorted)

8-Twist Tails

(Assorted)

NORTHERN

GRAYLING KIT


2-ugly Bugs

2-ugly Bugs

1/32 oz.

(Black & Green)

1/16 oz.

(Black & Brown)

2-Wooly Worm Flies #10

(Grey & Black)

2-Dry Flies #10

(Black Gnat & March Brown)

2-Dry Flies #12

(Mosquito & Cahill)

4-Jigets

1/32 oz.

(Assorted)

4-Jigets Twist Tail (Assorted)

2-Mouseys

1/64 oz.

(Black & Yellow)

2-Extra Mousey Bodies (Assorted)


(Black)

LAKE KIT

SMALLMOUTH BASS


2-Female Hellgrammite 1/8 oz.

(Crawfish)

2-Female Hellgrammite 1/4 oz.

(Brown)

2-ugly Bugs 1/8 oz.

(White & Black)

2-ugly Bugs 1/4 oz.

(Yellow & Chartreuse)

1-ugly Bug

3/8 oz.

(Chartreuse)


(Brown)

3-Twist Jigs

1/4 oz.

(Crawfish, Black, Chartreuse)

Lure Kits

$

14 95 (Brown & Chartreuse)

$14 95

1-Hellgrammite 1/16 oz.

(Brown)

only

$14 95 1-Hellgrammite 1/8 oz. only

(Crawfish)

$14 95


only

$14 95

only

$14 95


only

150

RIVER KIT

WALLEYE


2-ugly Bugs 1/4 oz.

(White & Green)

1-ugly Bug 1/8 oz.

(Orange)

2-Freshwater Shrimp1/4 oz.

(Yellow & Brown)


(Natural & Chartreuse)

2-Hellgrammites

1/8 oz.


each

(Chartreuse)

RIVER KIT

SMALLMOUTH BASS


2-ugly Bugs 1/16 oz.

(Orange & Black)

2-ugly Bugs 1/8 oz.

(Purple & Crawfish)

1-ugly Bug 1/4 oz.

(Chartreuse)

2-Freshwater Shrimp1/4 oz.

(Orange & Black)

(Brown)

Each

C O M E S

KIT

IN

Reusable TACKLE

A

each

each

BOX FREE

each

✩ ✩

USA

IN

✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩

✩ ✩ ✩

LAKE KIT

WALLEYE


1-ugly Bug

1/8 oz.

(Chartreuse & Flex)

3-ugly Bugs 1/4 oz.

(Black, Pink & Chartreuse)

1-ugly Bug

3/8 oz.

(Orange)


(Purple & Chartreuse Flex)


(Crawfish)

3-Twist Jigs

3/8 oz.

(White, Yellow & Chartreuse)

MADE

only

each

each

FANTASTIC

Fishing Tips:

FROM

HIMSELF!

PROPER FLY PRESENTATION

IN RuNNING WATER

Nymph

Dry Fly

and

PRESENTATION

At station ‘A’ you’ll find a dry

fly fisherman facing upstream and

casting his fly upstream above his

target. This is proper to allow his

fly to float, without line drag, in a

natural way similar to natures fly

hatches.

The same presentation is done

when using a nymph fly. When

currents carry fly nymph's they do

so in this manner, once the eggs

are hatched.

The key to success when using

dry flies and nymph's is to allow

them to float freely.

Muddler

and

Streamer

PRESENTATION

Though the muddler can be used as a floater during grasshopper season and to

represent certain dry flies, its purpose originally was to imitate the sculpin minnow.

Thus, you see the angler at point ‘B’ position casting cross current and presenting

a weighted muddler fly or streamer fly in a manner that best imitates a swimming

minnow. Retrieve of streamer flies comes cross current or up current similar to the

actions of minnows

or baitfish working

river currents.

Keep in mind, on

occasion, minnows

swim with the current,

most of the time they

work cross current or

at an angle upstream.

B

A

CURRENT FLOW

NYMPH

DRY FLY

MUDDLER

STREAMER

PRESENTATION

FIRESIDE READING

Books

ADVENTURE FISHING THE AMERICAS

By Dan gapen, Sr. and ‘Bobber’ Anne

Dan Gapen, Sr. and ‘Bobber’ Anne team up

in writing the 381 page manuscript which

takes the reader from Argentina in the tip of

South America to the Arctic Ocean above

Alaska in North America.

Like so many of the Ol’ Man’s hardback

books this new book isn’t only a fishing

book. Many of the chapters see the reader

visit the local natives of the region. This

well-traveled couple covets fishing, but the

reader learns the customs and the rituals

of the local natives as the authors travel

back into the native’s history. Both authors

immerse the reader into a special wilderness

world where fish species may vary widely in fight

and culinary delight.

Not to be left out the animals encountered in Dan

and Anne’s treks into this old world are brought to life as only Dan Gapen, Sr.

can do. From the saltwater crocodile to the arctic white bear the reader learns

these animal’s habits and present survival status. Fish such as the mighty goliath

grouper, big enough to swallow a human, to the lake sturgeon that pivots

skyward ten feet above river’s surface are brought to light as our authors battle

the world record class fish of North and South America.

Dan Gapen, Sr., The Ol’ Man openly admits his spelling and punctuations are

far from perfect. This he leaves up to

his sidekick ‘Bobber’ Anne who has

edited this new book and written 10

of its chapters. For you lady readers

you obtain a woman’s point of view

in “Adventure Fishing the

Americas” due to ‘Bobber’ Anne’s

input.

The Ol’ Man, Dan Gapen, Sr.

along with ‘Bobber’ Anne

CO- AUTHORS!

Order No. 20123

$21

only

95

each

So READERS, male or female,

young and old, enjoy this new

manuscript of outdoor adventure.

It contains a magic moment on a

cold snowy night in front of a

blazing warm fireplace.


151


152

FIRESIDE READING

Books

A WILDERNESS LIFE AS I LIVED IT

FIRESIDE READING

Books

A WILDERNESS LIFE AS I LIVED IT

By Dan gapen, Sr.

www.gapen.com

Order No. 20125 20124

$ 34 95

This book, is by far the best writing Dan has ever done.

Dan has included a publisher’s note from the back of

the book as well as an inside cover. The book is 622

pages - as you read, stroll through the 69 pages of

ancient and recent photographs which strengthen

the story and pages therein.

The book contains two sections (24 pages each) of

colored photos, and 36 pages of black and white

photos. It has 67 chapters which take the reader

from my early experiences in the wilderness

of Canada to more modern adventures

throughout the Americas.

Tales of monstrous fish fought and landed –marauding Cayman of South

America---exciting waterfowl hunting---conflict between moose and wolves-

--canoeing the whitewater rapids of the Arctic---as well as the creation of the

original Muddler fly by Dan’s father at Virgin Falls on the Nipigon River. `These,

as well as stories of wilderness regions still unexplored, come to light in this

Brand NEW manuscript.

The book is 719 pages, contains two sections (24 pages each) of colored photos,

and 69 pages of black and white photos. It has 67 chapters which take the

reader from my early experiences in the wilderness of Canada to more modern

adventures throughout the Americas.

Tales of monstrous fish fought and landed –marauding Cayman of South

America---exciting waterfowl hunting---conflict between moose and wolves-

--canoeing the whitewater rapids of the Arctic---as well as the creation of the

original Muddler fly by Dan’s father at Virgin Falls on the Nipigon River.

`These, as well as stories of wilderness regions still unexplored, come to light in

this Brand NEW manuscript. (Also available in limited first edition, signed and

numbered series- see next page).

152

By Dan gapen, Sr.


152

Order Order No. No. 20125A 20124

LIMTED FIRST EDITION - SIGNED

Order this as a very special gift - get Dan’s brand new book in a limited edition

numbered autographed version which will be a keepsake collectible.

Grab them while they are available and get your signed, personalized, numbered

1st edition now.

PLEASE SPECIFY : 1. SPELL YOUR NAME or Other’s Name, 2. MESSAGE YOU

WISH WRITTEN (or 3. DESIGNATE “Any Message” or “No Message”).

(Note- slight variations and content differences may occur in messaging). Each is

unique and can not be returned or exchanged following personalization.

Please allow 2 weeks for personalized editions to include enough time for

production and shipping.

The limited edition 1st run autographed books can be gifted and personalized

to a friend or family member. Both the book, the autograph and the great stories

within will make an incredible fishing gift for someone on your list.

This book, is by far the best writing Dan has ever done. Dan has included a

publisher’s note from the back of the book as well as an inside cover. The book

is 622 pages - as you read, stroll through the 69 pages of ancient and recent

photographs which strengthen the story and pages therein.

The book is 719 pages, contains two sections (24 pages each) of colored photos,

and 69 pages of black and white photos. It has 67 chapters which take the

reader from my early experiences in the wilderness of Canada to more modern

adventures throughout the Americas.

FIRESIDE READING

Books

TREELINE AND BEYOND

A TRuE BOOK ON THE NORTHERN WILDERNESS

Within this book’s 35

chapters Dan once

each

again takes the reader into

the world of the far north, a land

he loves so much. If it’s an adventure in the tree-filled,

water-inundated and sometime barren arctic world

you seek; this book will fill your needs. It’s filled with

native lore, exciting fishing and wild hunting treks.

Treeline & Beyond contains a multitude of tips

which will help the hunter, or angler, understand and

survive in this northern world.

Anyone who elects to take his next vacation into the far northern world of

North America MUST read this book. It enhances the reader’s knowledge on what

to look for, where to go and how to get there. In a number of chapters Dan takes

his readers back in time, to better understand the humans who roamed this

wilderness, and today no longer are found there.

Treeline & Beyond is an adventure, and considered by those who read this

manuscript a fireside reading gem.

D I S C O V E R

the

NORTHLAND

!

Fishing

By Dan gapen, Sr. Order No. 20122

Adventure

Wildlife

only

Hunting

w w w. g a p e n . c o m 153 F i s h G a p e n ’ s

RIVER FISHING

$19 95 Just

$19 95


FIRESIDE READING

Books

“HOW-TO” RIVER BOOKS

154

“A Happy World”

each

– Hardcover –


River Fishermen call this book their “Bible”

Here is the book considered the best ever written on river systems, their secret

hiding places, unseen backwaters, hidden underwater fish sanctuaries, and roaring

waters. It tells tales of old river rats who make their living from such waters, about

Indians whose myths and river legends once ruled our land. Detailed maps of whereto-find

river fish species abound. Within its covers are more diagrams, more explanations,

more “How-Tos” with 26 new chapters, and more newly discovered techniques

by the “Head River Rat,” Dan Gapen, Sr. It is a book all would-be and expert anglers

alike must have.

“I assure you’ll add

more weight to your

stringers”

– Dan Gapen, Sr. –

BIG RIVER FISHIN’

“Adventure Into History”

Only

$19 95

each

– Hardcover –


Considered the leading “How-To” book on fishing big rivers in North America.

Big River Fishin’ is loaded with details about wingdams, backwaters, roller dams,

rip-rap, coffer dams, dredged channels, locks, bridges and glance structures.

There’s a chapter on big river backwater cooking as well as numerous detailed

maps showing fish species placement per the season. It is a book which will add

weight to the stringers of all who enjoy fishing these wonderful

wandering waterways.

Elegantly bound with hard cloth covers; 412

pages; illustrated with line drawings and detailed

maps; published copyright January 1981; third edition

in 1996. Excellent “How-To” book for rivers such as

the Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, Missouri or Ohio.

COMFORTABLE

F I R E S I D E

reading



FIRESIDE READING

Books

CREEKS TO LOVE AND REMEMBER


This is a book filled with “How-”, “Where-” and “Why-

To” fish that local creek for the hidden nooks and crannies

where rock bass, trout and walleye wait. It’s a book about

pike spawning runs, walleye runs and bait migration. If

you enjoy working the local streams, this book will

add to your knowledge and

increase your stringer

Only

weight.

WILDERNESS NORTH


Here it is . . . a book in which the

author bares his soul and love for the

north. You come to know the

northern people as only Dan

Gapen, Sr. knows them. You begin

to feel the joy and terror which

befall those who enter North

America’s northern tundra. This

book, the one Gapen wrote for

himself, tells tales never before

told. If an author were able to place heart in his endeavor

this would be it for Gapen. It contains 321 pages with a

total of 64 color photos. Wilderness North is a book for

all who travel north, all who love to hunt, all who dream of

giant fish and all who love to just read about those who

came before in the great outdoors. It is a hardback book

for man, women and child.

Only

$19 95

each

Dan gapen, Sr. has no equal as a river expert, or as an

author, lecturer, teacher or angler of North America’s rivers.

– Words of praise by:

The National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame.

Dan Gapen, Sr. is fishings' Jack London . . . A Legend!

155

$9 95

each

“I wrote this

book for me. In

so doing it

became an intricate

part of my

very being. I am

a man from the

north . . . a man

who loves and

cherishes the

land from whence

I came.

Possibly, this is

the best piece of

literature I have

written to plead

the cause and

plight of our land

and water in the

far north.”

- Dan Gapen, Sr.

GAPEN’S OWN

“How-To” Soft Cover Books

RIVER WALLEYE

“HOW-TO” FISH


This is a manuscript with many detailed maps covering

the countless numbers of walleye staging spots. It will cover

both small and large river systems. It will detail big river

wingdams as well as small stream eddy cuts. It will cover

migration and spawn. And it will delve into deepwater

summer haunts on all river systems. Baits,

rigs and equipment will be discussed as Only

will techniques. River Walleye is the

first book ever written on river walleye.

$8 95

each

RIVER

SMALLMOUTH BASS

“HOW-TO” FISH


The Smallmouth Bass, Dan Gapen’s favorite river fish,

are exposed in this book. It contains all the tricks Gapen

has acquired over the years. Things such as lips, slipping,

crawfish, dabbling, downstream retrieve, current breaks, riprap,

piling, stump knocking, bottom walking and Ugly Bugs

will come to light. It will expose the late fall

technique of center streaming and show Only

the reader with detailed maps where to

work smallies above a waterfall.

$8 95

MUSKIE & NORTHERN PIKE

RIVER PREDATORS

“HOW-TO” FISH


River Predators is a book filled with fish placement diagrams,

lure selection, equipment needed, secret structure,

and presentation with proper boating needs. It is a book

which divulges well-kept secrets by Dan Gapen, Sr.

never before told. A book filled with pictures of

Dan’s favorite lures and trophies taken. It’s a book

abundant in photos on special pike and muskie

structure. If river pike and muskie Only

are your target, this book is a

must.


156

each

$8 95

each

GAPEN’S OWN

“How-To” Soft Cover Books

A L L

& NEW

exciting!

PANFISH BOOK

A fish for all seasons

“CRAPPIE” & other PANFISH


Panfish such as Bluegill, Crappie, Rock Bass, Perch and others - their history,

biology, habits, species and hangouts are discussed in this new panfish book. Crappie

spawning grounds, deepwater sanctuaries, beneath winter ice, brush pile techniques

and surface feeding habits all become part of the readers knowledge as you dive in to the

written information contained in this 180 page panfish book.

CATFISH

“HOW-TO” FISH

By Dan gapen, Sr.

Secretly, Dan Gapen, Sr.

has always had a passion

for those faraway lazy

haunts where most

believe Mr. Catfish is seen

C O M P L E T E LY to live. The book is full of

secret tips which help the

REVISED

reader entice this fish. It

deals with the three major

IN

2003! species:

channel

cats,

flatheads

and blues. Detailed

maps show the first timer where-to and

where-not-to look.

The expert will

learn about baits used far from his place

of fishing which work well.

New rig

setups are shown as well as never-beforeseen

hooking setups.


157

Only

Order No. 20101

Only

$12 95

each

The Ol’ Man &

one of his

favorites

each


Order No. 20260

$9 99

$24

- or -

99

$9 95

GAPEN’S EXPOSE THE uNDERWATER TACTICS

OF STRIKING GAMEFISH

THAT YOu’VE ALWAYS WANTED TO SEE

“Educational” DVD Series

INDIVIDUAL

DVDs

are

only

each

$24 99 $

32 50 $12

for

ANY 3

Dan’s

favorite

DVD “THE FORGOTTEN LAND” (11/2 hours) Order No. 20280

Here our film crew takes the viewer into the Arctic barrens where $9.99 Each

caribou, musk ox and the occasional white bear and barren land

grizzly bear roam freely as if you’d pushed the clock back five

hundred years.

You will learn the skills to survive in this wasteland of beauty,

capture exotic fish, walk and learn the paths in ancient stone

villages and catch your breath as you are exposed to thousands

of miles of barrens never walked upon by man before.

Dan’s

“WILDLIFE ADVENTURE”

(1 hour) Order No. 20251

2nd

favorite

DVD

Here you will enjoy watching dozens of your favorite animals and

birds in their native habitat.

ANOTHER “NEW” SERIES OF EDuCATIONAL DVDs BY

The Head River Rat

www.gapen.com

UPC &

Order # DVD Title

20260 underwater Perch/Panfish Bite

20261 “How-To” Tie the Original Muddler

20262 underwater Flub Dub/Fish Fry Gamefish Bite

20263 Boneless Filleting - Northern Pike

20264 underwater “How-To” T-Boning Muskie

20265 Pike Attack Walleye Caught on ugly Bugs

20266 Clean A Cat in 20 Seconds

Order No. 20239 - Fishing Flooded Spring Waters

Order No. 20240 - Fishing Summer Waters

Order No. 20241 - Fishing Trout

Order No. 20242 - Smallmouth Bass

Order No. 20243 - RiverRat #5 Walleye

order any 3

for just

158

only

(all species)

(all species)

(most species)

(all seasons)

(all seasons)

99

each

Fish Gapen’s

LOOK


NOW AVAILABLE

our ‘NEW’ DVDs of:

‘FISHING THE WO RLD’


NOTE: within each DVD you will view three (3) 25-minute

television shows from this series.

UPC &

Order No. Name of Show Subject Cost

20230 Ol’ Man’s Favorites

Red River Cats

Ohio Steelhead/Walleye

Halleys Muskie

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

20231 Wild Rivers

Rafting the uganik

The River from Hell

Fall Smallmouth Tricks

20232 Trophies

Flatfishes

Sturgeon

Striper

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

20233 Adventures North/South

Alaska I

Argentina

Alaska II

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

20234 Saltwater

Rhode Island

Georgia Banks

Fishing Florida

20235 The Wild World

Sulton River

Eagle River Muskie

Ashweig River

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

20236 Secret Spots

River Secrets

Spawning Panfish

The Secret Lake

Chosen as 3 of the Ol’ Mans favorites. This

DVD takes you to big fish country on all fish

mentioned.

Filled with adventure and “How-To” fish rivers.

This DVD is a must for the riverman.

Experience the thrill and adventure of catching

three of our largest gamefish.

Adventure shows from the furthest point in

North America to the southern most point

in South America.

A fun DVD which the average angler can do

inexpensively when wanting to try saltwater.

Fish abound in this world of polar bears and

colorful brook trout. A must for the fly fisherman.

Secret spots, secret techniques to secret lures.

This DVD is every anglers “How-To” &

“Where-To”.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

20237 Ice & Tropic “HOT TIPS”

Ice Little Ones / Tropic Big Ones

Arctic Lakers/Michigan Cats/Venezuela Toothy Ones

Mr. Perches Ice Secrets

Check out

THIS

OFFER

CUT AND

SEND

COUPON IN

WITH YOUR

ORDER

!

From 20˚ below to 100˚ above - from ice to the tropics - from perch to giant

jewfish - this DVD is a winter fishermans retreat.

Normal

“RETAIL” value

$39.95

Buy any 3 of Gapen’s DVDs:

for

only

159

$24 99

$9 99

ea.

$9 99

ea.

$

9 99

ea.

$

9 99

ea.

$9 99

ea.

$9 99

ea.

$

9 99

ea.

$9 99

ea.

PLUS

SHIPPINg

FANTASTIC

Fishing Tips:

FROM

HIMSELF!

WORKING SPRING BEDS

KNOWLEDGEABLE

TIP:

The Nasty Wacker

isn’t a new concept. It was

created by Dr. Moorehead of Paducah, Kentucky back in

the 1970’s to entice largemouth bass during spawning

periods. The doctor, a notable heart surgeon, was an

ardent bass man. One of his hobbies was to build a

respectable tackle company. The products he created

became tools for just about every bass man south of

the Mason Dixon Line.

The Nasty, his main lure, when flipped into early

season bass beds enticed bass like no other product

used for such a purpose. In 1978, due to family pressure,

Dr. Moorehead decided to sell his budding enterprise.

Dan Gapen, Sr., the president of The Gapen

Company bought it and all the rights to the Paducah Tackle Company

inventory, machinery, trademarks and patents. Up until 2011 none of the doctor’s

creations had been utilized by the Gapen Company. Dan had purchased the company

for its modern plastic extrusion machinery.

During the fall of 2010, on a trip to Lake Fork in Texas, some of the Nasty jigs

were spied by a guide, Tim Walker, and inquired as to their use. Dan explained their

use and his guide introduced them to the bass men of Lake Fork and once again Dr.

Moorehead’s creation was reborn.

WORKING SPRING BEDS

As the drawing above shows, bass beds are generally hard to get at. Often surrounded

with weed growth, timber and stumps, ordinary bass lures are a failure

when an attempt to work the structure is made.

However, the Nasty, now the Nasty Wacker, is ideal for such use. Due to its

multi-leg design it becomes nearly weedless in such cover, is ugly and threatening


160

BED

GAPEN’S

Bass Tips

(continued)

KNOWLEDGEABLE TIP:

enough to cause a reaction from the bedding bass, and because of design, holds its

position in the bed when worked. There isn’t a bass alive which will allow this monster

to remain in its bed!

All that is required of the angler is accurate cast placement of the lure. Make sure

you’ve dropped the lure dead center in the BED. Allow the Nasty Wacker to sit

there. Even if the bass isn’t on the bed, she’s nearby and once you jiggle the lure up

and down a couple times, creating a dust cloud, she’ll charge in to expel the intruder.

Surprisingly, even after the female is done laying her eggs and she’s left the nest, smaller

males which tend to hang around the nest site will react to such a presentation by the

angler.

WORKING OTHER STRUCTURES

Stands of lily pads pads are an excellent target for your Nasty Wacker. By using a

lighter weight Nasty, a cast is made laying the lure on top of a distant lily pad. Next,

very carefully, the angler begins to reel line in - which, in turn, drags the multi-legged

creation across the surface lily pads. Any bass below is alerted to the movement above

and comes to follow. Then as your lure drops off the next lily it instantly becomes a

target for the prowling bass.

If you don’t get and instant strike, as the jig drops, try jigging it ever-so-slightly as

it hangs 12 inches below the lily pad which is holding it. That will do it! Remember,

bass are notorious eaters of strange critter-like food objects. In other words, they love

those weird things in life.

WORKING OTHER SPECIES

If there is a species which is susceptible to the charms of the Nasty it’s those

FOLLOW-TO-THE-BOAT NORTHERN PIKE. You know the ones I mean! They

swim all the way up to the boat inches

behind your favorite pike bait, but refuse

to bite. Then they just sit there daring

you give them something better.

Here’s my solution. Give ‘em a black

or purple Nasty Wacker. Place it 24

inches in front of them and twitch it

ever-so-slightly every fifteen seconds.

Pike may not know what the Nasty is

but they damn sure will want to kill it;

if not to feed on it, just because of

their meanness.

Another presentation is to use a

Nasty Wacker, preferably a 3/8 oz. size, in tall stem reeds

when stands of this style weed hold pike and bass in goodly numbers. The presentation

of a Nasty Wacker drawn through them sees this lure jump around, at the

point where water surface hits the reed and as it refuses to stay down within the water

depth. Because of the fantastic action by the Nasty two species will come up and

strike. Make sure the line you use is heavy enough to haul the bass or pike out as well

as a bunch of those rugged reeds.

There are dozens of other ways to present a Nasty Wacker to different species of

fish. One is to work sunken brush piles for crappie. This is done by vertical fishing.

Another is to entice suspended walleye as they rise up from bottom to feed on late

day ciscoes in northern lakes.

Let your imagination run wild. AND if you find a special trick for your special fish,

drop Dan a line. He can always be reached by calling toll free: (877) 623-2099 or email

him at: dan@gapen.com.

A weird lure -

the Nasty

caught this

weird

saltwater

fish

for Bob

(the camera man)

GAPEN’S

Bass Tips

(continued)

WORKING SALTWATER REEFS WITH A NASTY

BRINGS TO BOAT SOME STRANGE ONES:

Black rockfish caught on white

Nastys - off Alaska.

Maybe they thought the Nastys

were tiny octopus . . .

Black, yellow, purple & orange Nasty bodies

can be found on page 163

Vertical jigging

caught the

trophy saltwater

yellow-eye rockfish

But, ‘Bobber’

Anne caught

the oddest

saltwater

fish - a China

rockfish off

Kodiak

Island in

Alaska


161


162

NEW

HOT

SUPER

ALL

NASTY®

WACKERS

ARE

SCENTED

WITH A

PROVEN

FISH

ATTRAC-

TANT &

ARE THE

BEST

PRICED IN

THE

MARKET!

WHEN

USING:

DO NOT

TEAR OFF

THE

LEGS!

The entire

body must

be used by

inserting

the hook

through the

core.

UPC &

Order #


Color

41040 White

41041 Yellow

41043 Chrtrs.

41045 Red

41046 Pink

41047 Root Beer

41048 Avocado


41050 Orange

41051 Purple

41052 Blue

41053 Smoke

UPC &

Order #

Color

And

HELPFUL TIP:

To better adhere your Nasty® Wacker body to the hook or

jighead, try placing a drop of super glue on the collar.

1 1 /2 inch

THE

NASTY ® WACKER

Jig it - wacky jig it - drop shot it - Carolina rig it or fish itt

weedless. For freshwater: bass, crappie, perch, pike, sunfish, ,

walleye, rock bass, striper, trout, salmon and laketrout. Alll

saltwater species such as: rockfish, grouper, weakfish, redfish &

dozens of others.

THIS OCTOPUS - LIKE LURE IS DEADLY AND

POSSESSES A NATURAL ACTION SEEN IN MUCH

OF THE NATURAL FOOD PREYED UPON

BY ALL FISH SPECIES.

UPC &

Order #

Color

41000 White

41001 Yellow

41002 Black

41003 Chartreuse

ONLY

ONLY

ONLY

$ 41004 Silver

41023 Chartreuse

2 99 41005 Red $

3 99

$

4 99 9

EACH 41006 Pink

EACH

41027 Root Beer

EACH

PACK 41007 Root Beer

PACK

PACK

41029 Clear Chrtrs.

41008 Avocado

41030 Orange


41010 Orange

41031 Purple

41011 Purple

41032 Blue

41012 Blue

41013 Smoke

UPC &

Order #

Color

163

2 1 /2 inch

EACH PACK COMES WITH

A JIG HEAD, WEEDLESS

HOOK & 4 BODIES!

UPC &

Order #

Color

41020 White

41021 Yellow

41022 Black

REFILLS

Each package contains: 4 Nasty Wacker refills

UPC &

Order #

Color

3 1 /2 inch

“HEY YOU”

Bass Angler!

42040 White 1 1 /2 inch 42000 White 2 1 /2 inch 42020 White 3 1 /2 inch

42041 Yellow

42001 Yellow

42021 Yellow

ONLY 42002 Black

ONLY

ONLY

2 1 /2 inch

42043 Chrtrs.

42003 Chartreuse

42022 Black

42045 Red $

42004 Silver

42023 Chartreuse

42046 Pink

2 25 $

42005 Red

3 25

$ 3 75 Anglers who prefer spinning gear try these:

EACH

EACH 42027 Root Beer

EACH

CLEAR WATER DINGY WATER MUDDY WATER

42047 Root Beer PACK 42006 Pink

PACK

PACK

42048 Avocado

42007 Root Beer


#41000 White #41001 Yellow #41002 Black

42049 Clear Chartreuse 42008 Avocado

42030 Orange

#41009 Clear Chartreuse #41011 Purple #41007 Root Beer

42050 Orange

42009 Clear Chartreuse 42031 Purple

#41008 Avocado

42010 Orange

42051 Purple

42011 Purple

42032 Blue

42052 Blue

42012 Blue

Then pick up a pack or two of refills, in your favorite color, to place on your favorite

42053 Smoke

42013 Smoke

jig head style. You will find these on page 163.



164

“HOLD UP”

I WANT YOU TO BACK UP TO PAGE 163

WHERE YOU MIGHT HAVE OVERLOOKED

THE NASTY

Go ahead, buy a couple!!! If you don’t you probably have missed the chance to catch

that “once-in-a-lifetime” spring-spawning bass you’ve been missing yearly.

BUT YOU DON’T KNOW WHICH ONE TO BUY?

CLEAR WATER DINGY WATER MUDDY WATER

#41020 White #41021 Yellow #41022 Black

#41029 Clear Chartreuse #41031 Purple #41027 Root Beer

– for those of you using a casting rod –

3 1 /2 inch

SALTWATER TO FRESHWATER

THEY ALL FALL PREY TO THE NASTY WACKERS!

Cod

IT

Rockfish

may

what

you catch

surprise

YOU . . .

on

A

Muskie

Nasty

Wacker

Bass

AND EVEN

Catfish


FANTASTIC

Fishing Tips:

FROM

HIMSELF!

SALTWATER FISHING

Many

professional

#

saltwater guides prefer to

TIP 11 :

troll with monofilament

line instead of

Kevlar hard lines when working

schools of tuna, bonita and false

albacore.

Reason:

The flat surfaces on Kevlar

lines, created in manufacturing, cause

the line to sing as it runs through the water. This sound is known to scare these forktailed

fish away. Mono has no flat surfaces, thus no sound.

#

Kevlar lines, such as fireline, are best used for deepwater jigging in

TIP 12 :

saltwater. With water depths of 100 to 300 feet deep common when fishing

halibut and grouper monofilament carries too much stretch. Certain

mono lines contain no stretch, thus allowing an instant signal of the fish strike, even in

300 feet of depth. With Kevlar line hook set is instantaneous once your bait is struck.

#

Bottom fish such as goliath grouper (jewfish) and black, red and

TIP 13 : warsaw grouper generally are found in protective rock or coral caves or

in sunken shipwrecks. Once hooked these species instantly seek shelter.

To prevent this reaction the angler must gain the advantage during the

first 30 seconds of the fight. He accomplishes this by the use of much heavier Kevlar

line than needed according to the fish size plus an extremely (almost breaking) tight

drag set on his reel. These two things along with extremely heavy upward pull will generally

stop that first return run back to safety by the fish. If you can stop that first run

your chances of landing a trophy are 90% successful.

165


WHERE TO FIND GAMEFISH (WALLEYE / SMALLMOUTH AND WHITE BASS)

ON THE DEEPWATER CHANNEL EDGES.

Sand and gravel cut-in holds walleye at point ‘A’.

Rock piles at point ‘B’ holds smallmouth bass.

Lip point (far out into the river channel) holds suspended

white bass along its outer side at point ‘D’.

Walleye stage on the inner structure, point ‘C’.

At point ‘E’ a small cut-in holds a very small

school of walleye.

Once again, rock piles hold smallmouth bass at

point ‘F’.

Below a channel marker buoy where out-ins

occur, there are always schools of walleyes. ‘G’.


THE KEY TO

FISHING

BRIDGE PIERS

Most fishermen fish

downstream from a

bridge pier. They catch

lots of small fish.

However, if you want

to catch trophy class

fish off this structure,

try working the points

marked in the above

diagram. Point ‘1’ usually

holds large catfish

or a big predator such

as muskie or northern

pike. At points ‘2’ and

‘3’, the largest walleye

can be found. If it’s

large smallmouth bass

you’re after, try the

points marked ‘4’ &

‘5’. If water is deep

around the pier, use

livebait rigs. If shallow,

artificials will

work.

3

Current

Cut

FANTASTIC

Fishing Tips:

FROM

HIMSELF!

BIG RIVER - CHANNEL EDGE

SECRETS

5

FLATHEAD

CATS

1

Roadbridge

Pier

CAuGHT aT

are

4

166

Current

Cut

2

NIGHT

B E S T

!

Marker Buoy

Channel Edge

Current Flow

Game Fish

White Bass

Channel Edge

Rock Pile

Point Lip

G

D

F

B

C

E

A



FANTASTIC

Fishing Tips:

FROM

HIMSELF!

SPECIAL ADVICE BY THE

NATION’S NUMBER #1 RIVER

AUTHORITY: DAN GAPEN, SR.

At the top of this drawing in section

CurreNT ‘A’ where current flows is designated

fLoW

you’ll generally find large walleye

A

and smallmouth bass staging above a

Large

Shallow and

‘lift’ in from fast water.

Walleye

Rocky Rapids

Below the large fish on the lift will

Channel be a school of channel catfish feeding

Catfish in the shallow, fast, rocky waters.

Pike

Don’t miss the undercut bank on

undercut

the river’s left side. This is an especially

Bank

good stage for gamefish during hot

Crappie

Smallie

August days

Current

Cuts

At section ‘B’ you have a tree fallen

Fallen Tree

into the river. Just above it, where current

in River

buffets into the tree trunk you’ll either

B

Walleye have big catfish or a couple decent

smallmouth bass.

Across the river where the first large

Trophy

Fish

eddy circulates there are several staging

gamefish spots that must be fished.

ROCK

The current cuts on their inside

Bass

edge hold several gamefish species. It

Smallmouth

C

Bass

is here that smallmouth bass and walleye

hold to feed on the downstream

Walleye

migration of food coming into the quieter

eddy water. Northern pike will

hold at the very top just off shoreline

along the descending current. Crappie,

if your river system holds them, will be

Enter

Walk

found where the two eddy currents

Here

upstream

form a quiet area. Or, crappie will be

found near the pike staging spot on the

edge of the soft water.

Flathead catfish will be found in the slower eddy water away from most of the others. If

there are gamefish along the shoreline of the eddy, they will be small.

Halfway between ‘B’ and ‘C’ sections there is an exposed rock. Look for trophy fish of any

kind to stage upstream from the rock while smallies hold to either side on the current

cuts. Walleye always stage where the boiling currents created by the rock straighten out as

indicated.

Finally we have our angler at section ‘C’. He has entered the river at a downstream point

and is working his way upstream. This is proper, proper to present your lure and to prevent

notice to the fish you seek. Turn back to page 130 and buy a couple of Dan’s River DVDs.

Drawn by

Dan Gapen, Sr.

the one and only

“HEAD RIVER RAT”

167

FISHING HISTORY

YOU MAY NOT KNOW

For Gapen’s In-line Spinner Anglers

NEPAG HISTORY:

The NEPAG is the original inline spinner lure which

was copied by John Hodak of the Paul Bunyan Bait Co.

in the 1950s and then recopied by the Erie Dearie Lure

Co. which became popular for walleye fishing on Lake

Erie in the late 1960s and 70s.

The original lure, created by my father, Don Gapen,

originator of the world-famous Muddler Fly, was first

made for brook trout on Lake Nipigon and its River

System in the early 40s. It soon became a lure that

enticed all species – walleye, pike, perch, trout and

bass.

Please

turn to

pages

17 & 18

to order

your

NEPAG

collection

saltwater

Today the reborn feathered

NEPAG not only captures saltwater

redfish, sea trout, cobra, jacks, mackerel,

bonita, small tuna, amberjack and

even ‘cuda, it does an equal job on the

following freshwater fish – largemouth,

trout, walleye, white bass,

If you enjoy fishing with feathers here’s a deal

you can’t resist if you’re a trout, bass, walleye or

muskie angler. These same NEPAGS work

equally well on saltwater species such as redfish,

snook, weakfish, jacks, bonita, striper and most

saltwater bottom fish.

YES, Gapen’s NEPAG is deadly on many of

the species you search out. The feathered body

with its mylar strips, in conjunction with the

holograph spinner and glowing painted head is

a lure you MUST have in your tackle box.

striper, northern pike, perch, smallies, muskie, and even crappie when

using the smaller sizes.

The NEPAG can hardly be attributed to any other lure company but

Gapens – for it was created by spelling our name backwards.

SPECIAL FUNCTIONS:

The new NEPAG is virtually snag free with its upward-riding hook. The head is

done in glow paint and the spinner blade is holographic. All these features enhance the

lure’s ability to entice gamefish both fresh and saltwater species.


168

THE NEPAG

alaskan rockfish

succumb to a

feathered 1 1 /2 oz.

NePaG

GAPEN’S

The NEPAG

(continued)

This muskie took a 1 1 /2 oz. hair

NePaG during the heat of august

The NEPAG’s SNAG FREE design sees

the lure ride over and through brush piles,

heavy weed stems and over rocky bottom.

The special holograph spinner blade draws

attention from your target fish, as much as

25 feet away in dirty water and 100 feet in

clear water. The minnow appearance of

the NEPAG’s head design adds the

attraction of a look-alike minnow or

shad baitfish to entice all gamefish.

SPECIAL NOTES:

Retrieve or trolling presentation is best

accomplished by slowly raising then lowering

your rod tip as the NEPAG is worked over,

through or beneath your targeted fish. This

best imitates the food your target fish are

after. The addition of liquid scent to the

feathers or

deer hair

body will last

longer than

when the

same scent is

added to a

hard crankbait.

SPECIAL ADVICE:

sutton river brooktrout

taken on an orange

3 /8 oz. NePaG


Try adding a single Red Ball egg to the NEPAG for a

much longer lasting scent!

hey - lady anglers, if ‘bobber’ anne & Debbie can produce

trophys such as these, you CaN too!

The Nepag, though designed to produce brooktrout

back in the 1940s is one of the easiest smooth running

baits on the market today. It can be trolled, casted or

jigged depending on what style of angling your fishing

partner selects the two of you do.

buy a couple of them - located on pages 17-18.

and remember as the ol’ man often says:

“These are your baits and are not to be shared”.

169

There is no better bait for

smallmouth than a NePaG


– RIVERS –

Far too many anglers make the mistake of wading

their favorite river while walking downstream. Such

action sees all the slit, noise and debris kicked up by the

angler go ahead of him and notify the fish that he’s coming.

This is completely the wrong approach. Not only

does it alarm the fish you seek, but is presents the lure in

an improper manner by working your lure upstream.

The proper presentation of a lure is with the current in

a river system. The angler must cast upstream and

retrieve downstream to be most effective.

Thus, the fisherman must work upstream into the

current and cast upstream into the current to be successful.

Remember, food comes with the current in a river system

90% of the time. To imitate it, a downstream retrieve is best. Besides this, walking

upstream sees all the debris and noise trail off behind you as you walk into the current.

Thus, the fish you are targeting never have a hint you are coming

and become easy prey to your properly worked lures.

There is one other advantage to walking into the current.

When you approach a drop off and step into it, recovery is

easily achieved due to the water pressure coming against your

body from the front. If you wade downstream with the pressure

coming against your back and you step into a hole going

downstream, recovery is difficult, if not impossible. Maybe

you like taking baths but for the most part its not an accepted

practice by most, especially if the water is cold.

The most successful lures to use when wading a river properly

are livebait, crankbaits and jigs, especially the Ugly

Bug.

When it comes to river fishing, any river world wide, there

is no angler on earth who knows more about how to catch river species than Dan Gapen,

Sr. Dan’s books and videos have been the tool which have provided the know-how for

many pro fishermen to win tournaments and the same tool for every day anglers to catch

the biggest fish of a lifetime.

Don’t miss your chance. Buy the tools you need to become a better fisherman. Take

advantage of these video and book specials.


FANTASTIC

Fishing Tips:

FROM

HIMSELF!

WADING THE WATERWAYS

PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 167,

REVIEW THE RIVER DIAGRAM

SKETCHED BY THE OLD RIVER RAT

HIMSELF, DAN GAPEN, SR.

170


SUPER SAVER BUYS

AND

flooded wood also becomes

a staging area for crappie -

year round.

Fishing Tips:

FROM

HIMSELF!

CRAPPIE FISHING TIPS

Crappies are probably the most sought after food

fish and gamefish in the U.S. From the spring

spawn, when they invade the silty shallows in pursuit

of the overabundance of minnows who are

now in the spawn mode, to the spawn which takes

place two weeks later, crappie become the target of

the American angler.

Yes, in most areas there is an insurgence of

crappie schools two times after winter ice disappears.

Often, the angler confuses the first migration

to feed on minnows with the period of

spawn. The minnow feed is brought on by shallow bay water temperature

heating up to a temperature that draws the thousands of minnows in to reproduce.

Water temperature should be near 60 degrees to trigger the spawn.

Water temperature is easily attained by placing a $2.98 wall thermometer half way

into the surface, allowing it to rest for a couple minutes and then reading. In this shallow

spawning water what you read on surface will also be the temperature on the

spawning nest.

If you aren’t familiar with the areas crappie spawn in go to the spot in the lake, along

shoreline, where dead and dying bulrushes show. Generally, such spots have a black silt

covering of about one inch which is easily depressed as the crappie fan open a spawning

nest. The nests will show up as tan spots in and about the dark black bottom and weeds.

These same beds will eventually be used by other panfish such as bluegill and bream a

couple weeks later when water temperatures climb about 4 degrees.

Once spawn is over, where do the crappie go? In most lakes they migrate to deep water

where they stage next to weed and wood structures. Look for them in 18-20 feet of water.

Use of your electronic fish locator can be a big help in locating these massive schools. They’ll

show up as a large red mass of about three feet deep and as much as 10 feet long. A slip bobber

will be the way to get at them. Generally the school will hold 2-4 feet off the bottom.

Fall is probably the most difficult time to hone in on Crappie. In many lakes they will

have disappeared from the summer schools and now lay directly on the bottom in black

loam bays. Water depth to search them out can range from 24 to 36 feet. Jig presentation,

¼ oz. is probably the best way to approach these crappie. You’ll find them scattered across

the bottom, bellies sunk deep in the black loam, about 2 to 3 feet apart. Lure presentation

Crappies are an

excellent fish to begin

your kids on if you want

them to become anglers

To really get

into educating

yourself on

crappie, pick up

a copy of

Dan Gapen, Sr’s.

“Crappie, A Fish

for all Seasons”

book which can

be found on

page 157

in this catalog.

It is filled

with positive

information

which will

help you

no matter what

the season is.

This kit and DVD will

work for the novice and

pro alike to get them

started catching the

most-eaten fish species

the U.S. has to offer.

Go Get ‘Em!

Dan Gapen, Sr.

rainy Lake

fall crappies

a grey

1 /32 oz.

freshwater

shrimp

and a

slip-N-Lock

float were the

only tools

needed to

capture

this nice

crappie.

GAPEN’S

Crappies

(continued)

should be to drift over them and

allow your jig to drag across the bottom,

kicking up a bit of a loam

cloud. Jig color doesn’t seem to have

an effect on them, but if I were to

suggest one, I’d choose purple as

my leading color.

You’ll know when

you run into this fall

crappie holding structure

by the blackened

belly on the first crappie

you catch.

NOW FOR OUR

SUPER SAVER

SPECIAL

CRAPPIE KIT

#30263

Crappie Kit Includes:

1 - 7 inch Crappie float $3.00

4 - 1 /32 oz. freshwater shrimp (Each $2.00)

(the best assorted colors) Total $8.00

4 - 1 /16 oz. freshwater shrimp (Each $2.25)

(the best assorted colors) Total $9.00


(1 of ea. chartreuse & white) Total $3.70

2 - 1 /8 oz. Crappie Vixen Jigs (Each $2.09)

(1 of ea. chartreuse & white) Total $4.18

. . . AND FOR FALL FISHING . . .

1 - 1 /4 oz. ugly bug Jig $2.25

(purple)

1 - “how-To” fish Panfish DVD $9.99

1 - Plastic Tackle box ____________ $2.50



(plus shipping & handling)


171


www.gapen.com

172

Fish Gapen’s

FANTASTIC

Fishing Tips:

FROM

HIMSELF!

BE WISE LIKE AN OWL

Gapen’s have a “NeW” spinner tail / bee body

jig coming. We’ll call it the spin bee.

It works on all freshwater species. This

“NeW” spinner and fly-bodied lure will be

available in the spring of 2013.

Give us a call then at 877-623-2099 to be the

first on the list to try this “NeW” creation.

WALLEYE ON REEFS & LAKE POINTS

Marker Buoy

Walleye in “hold”

Walleye in Migration

Under Water Rock

Anchor Position

Shoreline with Trees

Anchored Boat

Position

Shoreline

C

Rocky Reef

Breezy Wind

Direction

B

Boat Drift or

Boat Position

D

A

Island

Back Trolling

Direction

E

‘The use of marker buoys’

Marker buoys are the key to

working walleye on lake structure.

Note the placement of buoys at

point ‘A’ and ‘B’ in relation to the

positioning of feeding walleye. This

structure can be worked via a drift or

back trolling technique, as indicated.

At point ‘C’, a slot in the reef,

walleye tend to migrate in and out,

as shown. Such structure and the

action of walleye schools at this

point is best fished from an anchored position, as shown. Walleye on this structure tend

to work from deep to shallow. Place buoys as indicated to take advantage of fish movement

on structure.

On the lakeshore point, or points ‘D’ and ‘E’, four marker buoys easily set off the

structure. Note feeding pattern of walleye as they migrate from deep water towards the

shoreline along reef point.

FANTASTIC

Fishing Tips:

FROM

HIMSELF!

WHERE TO FIND LAKE TROUT

IN auGusT

The diagram below discloses two deepwater holes normally found on inland lakes which hold lake

trout.

There are two ways to fish these spots. To find such spots, an angler must carry a locator. If fishing

northern Canada, always take a portable one with you (Pack extra batteries as well). It can be the most

important piece of tackle you take along.

TO LOCATE THESE HOLES WHEN YOU DON’T HAVE A LOCATOR, try trolling a heavy Bait-

Walker style sinker (6 or 10 oz.) with a 40” dropback line to which you attach a large spoon or large arched

plug such as a Quickfish.

Once located, change your technique to the use of a heavy 1.5 or 2 oz. jig. The jig is then vertically

worked up and down in the deep hole area. To improve your chances, tip a jighead with a piece of fillet or

belly strip off of a sucker or even a previous laker kept for dinner.

To properly work a jig or jig tipped with meat, drop bait all the way to bottom, lift a rod length,

reeling as you lift so NO slack line is left. Repeat the process all the way to within 20 feet of the boat. If

this doesn’t work, drop all the way to bottom, then reel at a steady pace all the way back up to the boat.

If you spot fish, or catch one, at a

90’

100’

River

Outlet

A

90’

100’

90’

Island

90’

100’

W

B

90’

N

S

E

Shoreline

given depth, MARK YOUR MONO

LINE AT THE STRIKE DEPTH

WITH A BLACK PERMANENT

FELT-TIP MARKER. This enables

you to drop your jig back to the exact

spot you hit fish.


173 Fish F i s h Gapen’sG

a p e n ’ s


174

LURES

Hellgrammite Drift Jigs

A

JIGs

eXTra boDIes

UPC &

Order #

Color

1/16 oz.

18240 White 1/16 oz.

18241 Yellow

ONLY

18242 Black

ONLY

18243 Purple

18244 Crawfish

$ .65

EACH

18245 Orange


18247 ___________________________________________

Brown

18250 18270 White

1/8 oz.

18271 1/8 oz.

18251 Yellow

ONLY 18252 18272 Black

ONLY

18273 $ 18274 1 85

18253 Purple

18254 Crawfish

$ EACH 18275 .75

18255 Orange

18256 18276 Chartreuse EACH

18257 18277 ___________________________________________

Brown

1/4 oz.

18260 White

1/4 oz.

18261 Yellow

ONLY

ONLY 18262 Black

$ 2 05

18263 Purple

18264 Crawfish $ .85

18265 Orange

EACH


18267 Brown

HELPFUL TIP:

The specially designed drift jig, Gapen’s female

hellgrammite, best imitates a dislodged bottom

dweller which is swept away by current flow

and cast rapidly downstream.

UPC &

Order # Color

18200 White

18201 Yellow

18202 Black

18203 Purple

18204 Crawfish

18205 Orange

18206 Chartreuse

18207 Brown

____________________________________________

18210 White

18211 Yellow

18212 Black

18213 Purple

18214 Crawfish

18215 Orange

18216 Chartreuse

18217 Brown

____________________________________________

18230 White

18231 Yellow

18232 Black

18233 Purple

18234 Crawfish

18235 Orange

18236 Chartreuse

18237 Brown

hoW IT Works: Refer to the diagram. Cast slightly

upstream “A” to a spot directly above the fish holding area

you’ve selected. Begin retrieve by holding rod tip high

(never lower it after cast), slowly lowering it to comfortable

retrieving position as lure departs downstream. At this

moment, the boat handler has placed the motor and craft

in a ‘slip’ mode (boat backs slowly downstream while still in forward

thrust). As the boat and fishermen slowly back downstream and the lure is propelled by current in a

similar direction, the angler continues to hold rod tip high, lowering every so often as current and

depth at lure position decreases/increases and deepens/shallows. At point “B”, the lure is eased

around an exposed and submerged rock pile by reeling in the appropriate amount of line, then allowing

it to drift again. At point “C”, with the boat travel no longer keeping up with lure drift, the angler

retrieves his lure rapidly to the boat.

B

C

Why IT Works: Special head design of this jig makes it drift in a proper fashion. Rubber legs

best represent the larger female hellgrammite while body design enhances both of these factors.

Where IT Works: The Hellgrammite Drift Jig works best in shallow, 2 to 6 foot, rocky flat

areas in river systems where current flow exceeds 2.5 miles an hour. It works best in lakes on shallow

rocky island/shoreline reefs which are shallow in nature.

www.gapen.com

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A PERSONAL NOTE FROM

Dan Gapen, Sr. & ‘Bobber’ Anne

We wish to thank all of

our customers for supporting

us in our TV show,

DVD and tackle sales.

Without you the Gapen

Company would not exist!

Dan Gapen, sr. and ‘bobber’ anne with a pair of alaska sole caught on flickers

The two of us will be back with a

series of “NEW” underwater

educational DVDs,

a “NEW” television show

and a

“NEW” catalog in just

a couple short years.

Thank you again for your continued support!

Nepag

The Ol’ Man with

River Lake Trout

THE GAPEN COMPANY

17910 - 87th Street • Becker, MN 55308

KMKRUGER-Q8.5.1-5/12

Flub Dub

‘Bobber’ Anne with

her trophy Striper

Gapen Catalog | Fly Fishing | Jigs | Most Sensitive Rods | Wilderness Reels | Ugly Bug | Muddler |

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