Gapen Catalog | Fly Fishing | Jigs | Most Sensitive Rods | Wilderness Reels | Ugly Bug | Muddler |
Gapen Fishing Tackle catalog features our most sensitive fishing rods, Wilderness Reels, our structure-fishing Ugly Bug, snag-reducing jig and our world-famous flies, fly fishing reels and lines.
Gapen Fishing Tackle catalog features our most sensitive fishing rods, Wilderness Reels, our structure-fishing Ugly Bug, snag-reducing jig and our world-famous flies, fly fishing reels and lines.
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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
F i s h G a p e n ’ s
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
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
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
5 F i s h G a p e n ’ s
w w w. g a p e n . c o m 6
F i s h G a p e n ’ s
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
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
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
F i s h G a p e n ’ s
✩ ✩ ✩
✩ ✩
✩ ✩
✩ ✩
✩ ✩ ✩
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.
___________________________________________________________________
GAPEN’S AMERICAN BEAVER-CUT
HANDMADE WOOD LURES ARE
MANUFACTURED IN THE U.S.A.
BY PROUD AMERICAN CRAFTERS
___________________________________________________________________
INSTRUCTIONS FOR USING
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.
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
‘CuSTOm mAdE’
WOOD LURES
the
Flat Shad
9
Holds
up to
Trolling!
Heavy
F i s h G a p e n ’ s
✩ ✩ ✩
✩ ✩
✩ ✩
✩ ✩
✩ ✩ ✩
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
GAPEN’S AMERICAN BEAVER-CUT
HANDMADE WOOD LURES ARE
MANUFACTURED IN THE U.S.A.
BY PROUD AMERICAN CRAFTERS
________________________________________________________________
INSTRUCTIONS FOR USING
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
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
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
90661 Golden Roach 3 1 /2 inch $8.50
90662 Golden Roach 4 1 /2 inch $9.50
___________________________________________________________
90683 Golden Roach 6 1 /2 inch $12.50
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.
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
13
F i s h G a p e n ’ s
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.
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
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
91659 Golden Roach 2 1 /2 inch $7.50
91661 Golden Roach 3 1 /2 inch $9.50
91662 Golden Roach 4 1 /2 inch $10.50
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
F i s h G a p e n ’ s
LOOK
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
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.
F i s h G a p e n ’ s
✩ ✩ ✩
✩ ✩
✩ ✩
✩ ✩
✩ ✩ ✩
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.
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
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
F i s h G a p e n ’ s
!
✩ ✩ ✩
✩ ✩
✩ ✩
✩ ✩
✩ ✩ ✩
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.
11531 Yellow 3/8 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
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17
F i s h G a p e n ’ s
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
Snook caught
on a 5 /8 oz.
black
Nepag
18
Bluefish
caught on
1 1 /2 oz.
chartreuse
colored
Nepag
F i s h G a p e n ’ s
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.
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
19
F i s h
G a p e n ’ s
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
20
F i s h G a p e n ’ s
✩ ✩ ✩
✩ ✩
✩ ✩
✩ ✩
✩ ✩ ✩
MADE
Buy any 3
Weedcutters
for only:
USA
IN
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
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
F i s h G a p e n ’ s
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
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
to half throttle, our boat began to rapidly run
shoreline. Line was let out and my bright
yellow Weedcutter disappeared beneath
22
F i s h G a p e n ’ s
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.
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
23
F i s h G a p e n ’ s
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.
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
24
F i s h G a p e n ’ s
✩ ✩ ✩
✩ ✩
✩ ✩
✩ ✩
✩ ✩ ✩
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
90445 Chartreuse (glow)
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
90455 Chartreuse (glow)
EACH
90456 Blue / White (glow)
EACH
90457 Pink / White (glow)
90436 _______________________________________________________________________
Red / White (glow)
90460 Shad
90461 Sucker
1/8 oz.
90462 mud minnow
2 inch
90463 Perch
90464 Purple darter
90465 Chartreuse (glow)
EACH
EACH
90466 Blue / White (glow)
90467 Pink / White (glow)
90437 _______________________________________________________________________
Red / White (glow)
90470 Shad
90471 Sucker
1/4 oz.
90472 mud minnow
90473 Perch
2 1 /2 inch
90474 Purple darter
90475 Chartreuse (glow)
EACH
90476 Blue / White (glow)
90477 Pink / White (glow)
EACH
90438 _______________________________________________________________________
Red / White (glow)
90480 Shad
90481 Sucker
1/2 oz.
90482 mud minnow
3 inch
90483 Perch
90484 Purple darter
90485 Chartreuse (glow)
EACH
90486 Blue / White (glow)
EACH
90487 Pink / White (glow)
90439 _______________________________________________________________________
Red / White (glow)
90490 Shad
2 oz.
90495 Chartreuse (glow)
90496 Blue / White (glow)
6 inch
90497 Pink / White (glow)
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
93203 Chartreuse (glow)
93204 Pink (glow)
93205
93206
Blue / White
Chrome
(glow)
93207 Gold
93220 Shad
93221 Sucker
93222 Perch
93223 Chartreuse (glow)
93224 Pink (glow)
93225
93226
Blue / White
Chrome
(glow)
93227 Gold
93240 Shad
93241 Sucker
93242 Perch
93243 Chartreuse (glow)
93244 Pink (glow)
93245 Blue / White (glow)
93246 Chrome
93247 Gold
93260 Shad
93261 Sucker
93262 Perch
93263 Chartreuse (glow)
93264 Pink (glow)
93265 Blue / White (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
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
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
F i s h G a p e n ’ s
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
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
30
PLUS
Equals
PLUS
Two nice perch caught
with the ‘New System’ in
Lake Michigan
F i s h G a p e n ’ s
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!
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
31
F i s h G a p e n ’ s
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
F i s h G a p e n ’ s
✩ ✩ ✩
✩ ✩
✩ ✩
✩ ✩
✩ ✩ ✩
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
18016 ChartreuseChartreuse
18017 White White
1/16 oz.
18018 Pink White
18019 Black Chartreuse
18020 Black Black
18021 ChartreuseWhite
18022 Pink Pink
18023 Pink Purple
18024 Orange Yellow EA.
18025 White Blue
18026 ChartreuseBlack
_______________________________________________________________________
18027 Orange White
18030 Yellow Yellow
18031 Orange Black
18032 ChartreuseChartreuse
18033 White White
1/8 oz.
18034 Pink White
18035 Black Chartreuse
18036 Black Black
18037 ChartreuseWhite
18038 Pink Pink
18039 Pink Purple
18040 Orange Yellow
18041 White Blue
EA.
18042 ChartreuseBlack
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
F i s h G a p e n ’ s
A dEAdLY
mARABOu TAILEd WEAPON
Freshwater Shrimp
UPC &
Order # Color Size
17220 Natural 1/64 oz.
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
17242 Blue 1/64 oz. EACH
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
17357 Blue 1/32 oz. EACH
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.
17365 Natural 1/16 oz.
5 17366 Brown 1/16 oz. 1/16 ounce
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
17380 Natural 1/8 oz.
17381 Brown 1/8 oz.
17382 Grey 1/8 oz.
17383 Olive 1/8 oz.
17384 Pink 1/8 oz.
17385 Orange 1/8 oz.
17386 White 1/8 oz.
17387 Blue 1/8 oz.
17388 Chartreuse 1/8 oz.
17389 Purple 1/8 oz.
17390 Yellow 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
17395 Natural 1/4 oz.
17396 Brown 1/4 oz.
17397 Grey 1/4 oz.
17398 Olive 1/4 oz.
17399 Pink 1/4 oz.
17400 Orange 1/4 oz.
17401 White 1/4 oz.
17402 Blue 1/4 oz.
17403 Chartreuse 1/4 oz.
17404 Purple 1/4 oz.
17405 Yellow 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.
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
37
F i s h G a p e n ’ s
✩ ✩ ✩
✩ ✩
✩ ✩
✩ ✩
✩ ✩ ✩
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.
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
THIS SPECIAL DVD WAS CREATED BY
FILMING UNDERWATER IN LIVE ACTION,
NATURAL SETTINGS.
NONE OF THIS ACTION IS FILMED IN TANKS!
38
F i s h G a p e n ’ s
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.
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
39
The Ol’ Man with a decent
sized smallie taken on an
Ugly Bug from below an
undercut in an Iowa creek
F i s h G a p e n ’ s
F i s h G a p e n ’ s
✩ ✩ ✩
✩ ✩
✩ ✩
✩ ✩
✩ ✩ ✩
MADE
USA
IN
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
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
!
F i s h G a p e n ’ s
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!
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
41
F i s h
G a p e n ’ s
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
42
F i s h G a p e n ’ s
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
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
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.
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
$
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
F i s h G a p e n ’ s
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
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
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
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
18137 Clear 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
F i s h G a p e n ’ s
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.
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
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
w w w. g a p e n . c o m 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
HEAD COLOR BODY COLOR
16530 Pink Pearl White
16531 Orange Yellow
16532 Chartreuse Black
16533 Pink Purple
16534 Orange Chartreuse Glitter
16535 Chartreuse Clear Chartreuse
16536 Pink Pearl Pink
16537 Orange Clear Glitter
16538 Chartreuse Pearl White
16539 Pink Clear Chartreuse
16540 Orange Pearl White
16541 Chartreuse Pearl Pink
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 #
HEAD COLOR BODY COLOR
16545 Pink Pearl White
16546 Orange Yellow
16547 Chartreuse Black
16548 Pink Purple
16549 Orange Chartreuse Glitter
16550 Chartreuse Clear Chartreuse
16551 Pink Pearl Pink
16552 Orange Clear Glitter
16553 Chartreuse Pearl White
16554 Pink Clear Chartreuse
16555 Orange Pearl White
16556 Chartreuse Pearl Pink
16557 Orange Black
16558 Orange Orange
UPC &
Order #
HEAD COLOR BODY COLOR
16500 Pink Pearl White
16501 Orange Yellow
16502 Chartreuse Black
16503 Pink Purple
16504 Orange Chartreuse Glitter
16505 Chartreuse Clear Chartreuse
16506 Pink Pearl Pink
16507 Orange Clear Glitter
16508 Chartreuse Pearl White
16509 Pink Clear Chartreuse
16510 Orange Black
16511 Chartreuse Pearl Pink
LOOK
at this
Money
saving
OFFER
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
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
F i s h G a p e n ’ s
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
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.
F i s h G a p e n ’ s
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.
GAPEN’S Slip-N-Lock
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.
13104 Natural 10 in.
WALLEYE
FLOAT
Order # Color Size
13160 mahogany 6 in.
13162 mahogany 5 in.
13164 mahogany 4 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
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
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
Fish F i s h Gapen’sG a p e n ’ s
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.
13152 Clear Wood 9 in. $3.75Ea.
13153 Clear Wood 7 in. $3.60Ea.
13154 Clear Wood 5 in. $3.50Ea.
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
GAPEN’S Slip-N-Lock
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.
✩ ✩
USA
IN
✩
✩ ✩
✩ ✩
✩ ✩
✩ ✩ ✩
MADE
$
ONLY
3 75
EACH
5
STOPS
ALL PANFISH
FLOAT
UPC &
Order # Color Size
13203 Natural 8 in.
13202 Natural 9 1 /2 in.
13201 Natural 11 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
EACH
ONLY
3 60
EACH
SImPLY
$
3 25
ONLY
$ 3 00
EACH
12
contains
STOPS
12
$ 3 25
$ 3 35
$
3 00
EACH
!
✩ ✩ ✩
✩ ✩
✩ ✩
✩ ✩
✩ ✩ ✩
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
F i s h G a p e n ’ s
RIGS
Poorman’s Downrigger Sinker
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
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
Fish F i s h Gapen’sG a p e n ’ s
✩ ✩ ✩
✩ ✩
✩ ✩
✩ ✩
✩ ✩ ✩
MADE
USA
IN
Money
saving
COUPON
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
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 &
Order # Size Price Each
“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
✩ ✩ ✩
✩ ✩
✩ ✩
✩
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 &
Order # Size Price Each
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 &
Order # Size Price Each
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 &
Order # Size Price Each
“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
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
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!
F i s h G a p e n ’ s
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
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
FANTASTIC
Fishing Tips:
FROm
HImSELF!
x
60
Current
Flow
F i s h G a p e n ’ s
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
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
Fishing Tips:
‘ABOUT CATFISH’ (Continued)
x
Crushing
x Mouth Open
61
Set
THE HOOK
F i s h G a p e n ’ s
– 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:
‘ABOUT CATFISH’ (Continued)
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.
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
62
F i s h G a p e n ’ s
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
Fishing Tips:
‘ABOUT CATFISH’ (Continued)
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
F i s h G a p e n ’ s
Fishing Tips:
‘ABOUT CATFISH’ (Continued)
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
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
LOOK A T THESE
64
Results
!
F i s h G a p e n ’ s
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
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
F i s h G a p e n ’ s
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
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
66
Larry & Dan hold up a 99 lb. Redtail
Consistent
Enormous
Trophy
CATFISH
TIGER CAT
F i s h G a p e n ’ s
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
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
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
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less than
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claimed
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(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.
10061 Spinning (open) 6 Foot medium $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.
10071 Spinning (open) 6 1 /2 Foot medium $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.
10081 Spinning (open) 7 Foot medium $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.
10085 Spinning (open) 7 1 /2 Foot medium $89.50 Ea.
67 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
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
6 and 6-1/2 foot rods retail at $79.50 - Replacement warranty is $39.75
7 and 7-1/2 foot rods retail at $89.50 - Replacement warranty is $44.75
(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
✩
✩
✩ ✩
✩ ✩
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USA
IN
MADE
✩ ✩✩
Gapen’s
WIlDeRneSS
RODS
are
EXTRA
SENSITIVE
UPC &
Order # Style Length Action Price
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 &
Order # Style Length Action Price
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
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
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
F i s h G a p e n ’ s
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!
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
“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
F i s h G a p e n ’ s
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
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
F i s h G a p e n ’ s
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
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
F i s h G a p e n ’ s
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
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
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.
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
77
Fish F i s h Gapen’sG a p e n ’ s
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.
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
Don Gapen with his 10 lb. 8 oz.
BROOK TROUT
79
F i s h G a p e n ’ s
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
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
F i s h G a p e n ’ s
THE MAN and the MUDDLER
(Continued)
THE MAN and the MUDDLER
(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.
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
81 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
82
PICK 12 FLIES ON THIS PAGE - ONLY $17.00
Grey Ghost
UPC &
Order # Pattern Size
11350 Black Ghost #10
11351 Black Ghost # 8
11352 Black Ghost # 6
11353 Black Ghost # 4
11354 Black Ghost # 2
____________________________________
11357 Grey Ghost #10
11358 Grey Ghost # 8
11359 Grey Ghost # 6
11360 Grey Ghost # 4
11361 Grey Ghost # 2
____________________________________
11364 Grizzly King #10
11365 Grizzly King # 8
11366 Grizzly King # 6
11367 Grizzly King # 4
____________________________________
11370 Professor #10
11371 Professor # 8
11372 Professor # 6
11373 Professor # 4
____________________________________
11376 Royal Coachman#10
11377 Royal Coachman# 8
11378 Royal Coachman# 6
11379 Royal Coachman# 4
11380 Royal Coachman# 2
www.gapen.com
Streamer Fly Department
GAPEN’S PROduCE ONLY 1 GRAdE OF FLIES: AAA!
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
GAPEN’S PROduCE ONLY 1 GRAdE OF FLIES: AAA!
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
Specialty Fly Department
GAPEN’S PROduCE ONLY 1 GRAdE OF FLIES: AAA!
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
Specialty Fly Department
GAPEN’S PROduCE ONLY 1 GRAdE OF FLIES: AAA!
‘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
GAPEN’S PROduCE ONLY 1 GRAdE OF FLIES: AAA!
Beaded Wooly Bugger
www.gapen.com
SALTWATER FLATS
FLY PATTERNS
UPC &
Order # Color
Size
12501 Pink Shrimp (weighted) #4
12502 Pink Shrimp (weighted) #6
___________________________________________
12503 Pink Shrimp (weighted) #8
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
Specialty Fly Department
GAPEN’S PROduCE ONLY 1 GRAdE OF FLIES: AAA!
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
Specialty Fly Department
GAPEN’S PROduCE ONLY 1 GRAdE OF FLIES: AAA!
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
_________________________________________________
11649 Chartreuse #10
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
11913 Wooly Bugger/Grey & Black #8
11914 Wooly Bugger/Grey & Black #4
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
GAPEN’S PROduCE ONLY 1 GRAdE OF FLIES: AAA!
$
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
Specialty Fly Department
GAPEN’S PROduCE ONLY 1 GRAdE OF FLIES: AAA!
GAPEN’S
Pike/Laker/Striper Fly Department
GAPEN’S PROduCE ONLY 1 GRAdE OF FLIES: AAA!
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
GAPEN’S PROduCE ONLY 1 GRAdE OF FLIES: AAA!
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
GAPEN’S PROduCE ONLY 1 GRAdE OF FLIES: AAA!
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
19142 Hare’s Ear (Weighted) #12
19143 Hare’s Ear (Weighted) #16
________________________________________________________
19144 Hare’s Ear (Weighted) #18
Dan’s Creeper Nymph
Hare’s Ear Nymph
19145 Hellgrammite (Weighted) # 4
19146 Hellgrammite (Weighted) # 6
19147 Hellgrammite (Weighted) # 8
19148 Hellgrammite (Weighted) #10
19149 Hellgrammite (Weighted) #12
19150 Hellgrammite (Weighted) #14
19151 Hellgrammite (Weighted) #16
________________________________________________________
19152 Hellgrammite (Weighted) #18 Hellgrammite Nymph
19153 Zug Bug (Weighted) # 8
19154 Zug Bug (Weighted) #10
19155 Zug Bug (Weighted) #12
19156 Zug Bug (Weighted) #14
19157 Zug Bug (Weighted) #16
only
$1 65
________________________________________________________
19158 Zug Bug (Weighted) #18
19159 Renegade (Weighted) # 8
Zug Bug Nymph
19160 Renegade (Weighted) #10
19161 Renegade (Weighted) #12
each
19162 Renegade (Weighted) #14
March Brown Nymph Wiggler Nymph Beaded Stone Fly
19163 Renegade (Weighted) #16
________________________________________________________
19164 Renegade (Weighted) #18
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
19170 mosquito (Weighted) #12
19101 montana #10
19121 Wiggler Olive #12
19171 mosquito (Weighted) #14
________________________________
(non-weighted)
19097 Grey Stone Fly #10
19172 mosquito (Weighted) #16
19122 Wiggler Red # 8
19102 Black Stone Fly # 8 19111 Grey Stone Fly #12
________________________________________________________
19173 mosquito (Weighted) #18
19123 _______________________________
Wiggler Red #12
19095 Black Stone Fly #10 19112 Grey Stone Fly #16
19174 damsel Fly (Weighted) #6
19124 Prince Nymph #10
19175 damsel Fly (Weighted) #8
19103 Black Stone Fly #12 19113 ________________________________
Grey Stone Fly #18
19125 Prince Nymph #12
19176 damsel Fly (Weighted) #10
Damsel Fly Nymph
19104 Black Stone Fly #16
19177 damsel Fly (Weighted) #12
19114 Olive Stone Fly # 8 19126 Prince Nymph #14
19178 damsel Fly (Weighted) #14
19105 ________________________________
Black Stone Fly #18 19098 Olive Stone Fly #10 19127 Prince Nymph #16
19179 damsel Fly (Weighted) #16
19106 Brown Stone Fly # 8 19115 Olive Stone Fly #12
(non-weighted)
________________________________________________________
19180 damsel Fly (Weighted) #18
19096 Brown Stone Fly#10 19116 Olive Stone Fly #16 19128 Prince Nymph #18
19181 Ant Fly (Weighted) #10
(non-weighted)
19182 Ant Fly (Weighted) #12
19107 Brown Stone Fly#12 19117 ________________________________
Olive Stone Fly #18
19183 Ant Fly (Weighted) #14
19108 Brown Stone Fly#16 19118 Wiggler Black # 8
19184 Ant Fly (Weighted) #16
Renegade Nymph
________________________________________________________
19185 Ant Fly (Weighted) #18
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
GAPEN’S PROduCE ONLY 1 GRAdE OF FLIES: AAA!
just
$
1 65
each
PICK 12 FLIES THIS PAGE FOR ONLY
$17.00
Specialty Fly Department
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
GAPEN’S PROduCE ONLY 1 GRAdE OF FLIES: AAA!
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
19535 Beaded Original muddler Fly #12
_______________________________________________________
19536 Beaded Original muddler Fly #14
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
12274 Black Gnat #10
12275 Black Gnat #12
12276 Black Gnat #14
_________________________________________
12277 Black Gnat #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
12283 Irresistible #12
12284 Irresistible #14
_________________________________________
12285 Irresistible #16
12286 Royal Coachman #10
12287 Royal Coachman #12
12288 Royal Coachman #14
12289 Royal Coachman #16
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
GAPEN’S PROduCE ONLY 1 GRAdE OF FLIES: AAA!
Size
only
$1 65
each
PICK 12 FLIES THIS PAGE FOR ONLY
$17.00
Dry Fly Department
GAPEN’S PROduCE ONLY 1 GRAdE OF FLIES: AAA!
!
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
12106 Female Adams #12
12107 Female Adams #14
12108 Female Adams #16
12109 ___________________________________________________
Female Adams #18
12110 Black Gnat #10
12111 Black Gnat #12
12112 Black Gnat #14
12113 Black Gnat #16
12114 ___________________________________________________
Black Gnat #18
12115 dark Cahill #10
12116 dark Cahill #12
12117 dark Cahill #14
12118 dark Cahill #16
12119 ___________________________________________________
dark Cahill #18
12120 Light Cahill #10
12121 Light Cahill #12
12122 Light Cahill #14
12123 Light Cahill #16
12124 ___________________________________________________
Light Cahill #18
12125 mosquito #10
12126 mosquito #12
12127 mosquito #14
12128 mosquito #16
12129 ___________________________________________________
mosquito #18
12130 march Brown #10
12131 march Brown #12
12132 march Brown #14
12133 march Brown #16
_____________________________________________________
12134 march Brown #18
12135 Royal Coachman #10
12136 Royal Coachman #12
12137 Royal Coachman #14
12138 Royal Coachman #16
_____________________________________________________
12139 Royal Coachman #18
12140 White miller #10
12141 White miller #12
12142 White miller #14
12143 White miller #16
12144 ___________________________________________________
White miller #18
12145 Yellow Sally #10
12146 Yellow Sally #12
12147 Yellow Sally #14
12148 Yellow Sally #16
12149 Yellow Sally #18
___________________________________________________
12150 Goddard Caddis #10
PICK 12 FLIES ON THIS PAGE FOR ONLY
$17.00
Dry Fly Department
GAPEN’S PROduCE ONLY 1 GRAdE OF FLIES: AAA!
DRY FLIES
UPC &
Order # Color Size
12151 Goddard Caddis #12
12152 Goddard Caddis #14
12153 Goddard Caddis #16
12154 Goddard Caddis #18
___________________________________________________
12155 Tent Caddis #10
12156 Tent Caddis #12
12157 Tent Caddis #14
12158 Tent Caddis #16
12159 Tent Caddis #18
___________________________________________________
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
12172 Hendrickson #12
12173 Hendrickson #14
12174 Hendrickson #16
12175 Hendrickson #18
___________________________________________________
12176 Quill Gordon #10
12177 Quill Gordon #12
12178 Quill Gordon #14
12179 Quill Gordon #16
12180 Quill Gordon #18
___________________________________________________
12181 Renegade #10
12182 Renegade #12
12183 Renegade #14
12184 Renegade #16
12185 Renegade #18
___________________________________________________
12290 Irresistible # 6
12291 Irresistible # 8
12186 Irresistible #10
12187 Irresistible #12
UPC &
Order # Color Size
12188 Irresistible #14
12189 Irresistible #16
12190 Irresistible #18
___________________________________________________
12191 Flying Ant #10
12192 Flying Ant #12
12193 Flying Ant #14
12194 Flying Ant #16
12195 Flying Ant #18
___________________________________________________
12196 Flying Caddis # 8
12197 Flying Caddis #10
12198 Flying Caddis #12
12199 Flying Caddis #14
12200 Flying Caddis #16
12201 Flying Caddis #18
___________________________________________________
12202 Elk Hair Caddis #10
12203 Elk Hair Caddis #12
12204 Elk Hair Caddis #14
12205 Elk Hair Caddis #16
12206 Elk Hair Caddis #18
___________________________________________________
12207 Blue dragon Fly # 4
12208 Blue dragon Fly # 6
12209 Blue dragon Fly # 8
___________________________________________________
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
___________________________________________________
Fish Gapen’s www.gapen.com Fish Gapen’s
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
GAPEN’S PROduCE ONLY 1 GRAdE OF FLIES: AAA!
DRY FLIES
UPC &
Order # Color Size
12219 Grey Wulff #10
12220 Grey Wulff #12
12221 Grey Wulff #12
___________________________________________________
12222 Grizzly Wulff #10
12223 Grizzly Wulff #12
12224 Grizzly Wulff #14
________________________________________________________
12225 Royal Wulff #10
12226 Royal Wulff #12
12227 Royal Wulff #14
___________________________________________________
12228 White Wulff #10
12229 White Wulff #12
12230 ________________________________________________________
White Wulff #14
12231 Yellow Humpy # 6
12232 Yellow Humpy # 8
12233 Yellow Humpy #10
12234 Yellow Humpy #12
12235 Yellow Humpy #14
________________________________________________________
12236 Green drake #10
12237 Green drake #12
12238 Green drake #14
12239 Green drake #16
________________________________________________________
12240 King of Waters #10
12241 King of Waters #12
12242 King of Waters #14
12243 King of Waters #16
12244 King of Waters #18
________________________________________________________
12245 Cowdung #10
12246 Cowdung #12
12247 Cowdung #14
12248 Cowdung #16
12249 Cowdung #18
________________________________________________________
12250 Queen of Waters #10
12251 Queen of Waters #12
12252 Queen of Waters #14
12253 Queen of Waters #16
________________________________________________________
12254 Queen of Waters #18
12255 Wickhams Fancy #10
12256 Wickhams Fancy #12
12257 Wickhams Fancy #14
12258 Wickhams Fancy #16
12259 Wickhams Fancy #18
________________________________________________________
12260 Blue Winged Olive #10
12261 Blue Winged Olive #12
12262 Blue Winged Olive #14
12263 Blue Winged Olive #16
12264 Blue Winged Olive #18
________________________________________________________
12265 dark Olive #10
12266 dark Olive #12
12267 dark Olive #14
12268 dark Olive #16
12269 dark Olive #18
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
Specialty Fly Department
GAPEN’S PROduCE ONLY 1 GRAdE OF FLIES: AAA!
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.
Fish Gapen’s www.gapen.com Fish Gapen’s
#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.
11270 Orange Natural 1/8 oz. $3.50 Ea.
11280 Orange Natural 1/4 oz. $4.00 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
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
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’.
F i s h G a p e n ’ s
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
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
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!
F i s h G a p e n ’ s
‘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!
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
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’
with the Ol’ Man & ‘Bobber’ Anne
. . . 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
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
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
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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.
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111
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
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
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
113 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
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
6 - 1 /16 oz. ugly bug Jigs (Each $2.10)
(white, yellow, black,
chartreuse, blue & green) Total $12.60
4 - 1 /8 oz. ugly bug Jigs (Each $2.35)
(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:
4 - 1 /8 oz. ugly bug Jigs (Each $2.35)
(white, yellow,
chartreuse & crawfish) Total $9.40
4 - 1 /4 oz. ugly bug Jigs (Each $2.50)
(yellow, black,
crawfish & orange) Total $10.00
4 - 3 /8 oz. ugly bug Jigs (Each $3.00)
(yellow, chartreuse,
black & crawfish) Total $12.00
1 - “how-To” use Walleye DVD $9.99
1 - Plastic Tackle box $2.50
_______________
ToTaL reTaIL CosT $43.89
_______________
SUPER SAVER COST: $29.99
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115
F i s h G a p e n ’ s
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116
F i s h G a p e n ’ s
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
GAPEN’S SuPER SAVER BuYS
Panfish / Ugly Bug Kits
(continued)
FOR OuR CATALOG PANFISH CuSTOMERS
Bass Kit Includes:
4 - 1 /4 oz. ugly bug Jigs (Each $2.50)
(white, black, chartreuse & purple) Total $10.00
4 - 3 /8 oz. ugly bug Jigs (Each $3.00)
(yellow, black, blue & purple) Total $12.00
4 - 5 /8 oz. ugly bug Jigs (Each $3.75)
(black, chartreuse, green
& purple) Total $15.00
1 - “how-To” use Walleye DVD $9.99
1 - Plastic Tackle box _______________ $2.50
ToTaL reTaIL CosT $49.49
SUPER SAVER COST: $39.99
(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
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
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.
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
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
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121
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
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
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
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
w w w. g a p e n . c o m F i s h G a p e n ’ 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.
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
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.
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
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
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
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
F i s h G a p e n ’ s
GAPEN’S
The Key to Casting Performance
(continued)
Incorrect
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
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
F i s h G a p e n ’ s
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
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
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.
F i s h G a p e n ’ s
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
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
134
F i s h G a p e n ’ s
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:
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
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
F i s h G a p e n ’ s
#
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.
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
136
F i s h G a p e n ’ s
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.
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
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
F i s h G a p e n ’ s
F i s h G a p e n ’ s
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.
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
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
F i s h G a p e n ’ s
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
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
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.
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
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).
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
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
Fish F i s h Gapen’sG a p e n ’ s
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
90701 Chartreuse #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!
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
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)
___________________________________________________________________________
90216 Fire Red (glow)
90217 Fire Tiger (glow)
90218 Gold
90219 Silver
90220 White Black (glow)
90221 Chartreuse Orange (glow)
90222 Orange Black (glow)
90223 Green Chartreuse(glow)
90224 Red White (glow)
90281 Purple (glow)
✩
✩
✩ ✩
✩ ✩
✩ ✩ ✩
90284 ___________________________________________________________________________
Neon Trout (glow)
90226 Fire Red (glow)
90227 Fire Tiger (glow) #12
90228 Gold
90229 Silver
!
90230 White Black (glow)
90231 Chartreuse Orange (glow) Glows
90232 Orange Black (glow)
90233 Green Chartreuse(glow)
DAY
90234 Red White (glow) or
90283 Purple (glow)
90225 Neon Trout (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
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
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.
90133 Chartreuse (glow)
✩ ✩
$1
ONLY
90134 Green (glow)
✩ ✩ ✩
90135 Orange (glow)
25
90136 Fire Red (glow)
90137 Fire Tige (glow)
EACH
90138 Purple (glow)
90139 Neon Trout (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
90143 Chartreuse (glow)
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
90146 Fire Red (glow)
OF
✩ ✩
the hook sizes remain small. However,
90147 Fire Tige (glow)
PA I N T ✩ ✩ ✩
regarding the Hog-N-Jig , this lure can be
MADE OF
90148 Purple (glow)
TIN
90149 Neon Trout (glow)
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
90163 Chartreuse (glow)
UPC &
90167 Green (glow)
$1 ONLY
Order # Color
90165 Orange (glow)
SIZE:
90120 Silver
90166 Red (glow)
25 UPC &
Order # Color
90121 Gold #8
90169 Fire Red (glow)
90180 Silver
SIZE:
EACH
90122 White (glow)
90168 Fire Tiger (glow)
90181 Gold
90123 Chartreuse (glow)
$1
ONLY
90170 Purple (glow)
90182 White (glow) #8
90124 Green (glow)
25
90159 Neon Trout (glow)
90183 Chartreuse (glow)
_______________________________________________________
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
90187 Fire Red (glow)
90159 ____________________________________________________________________
Neon Trout (glow)
90262 White (glow)
90188 Fire Tige (glow)
EACH
90110 Silver
90263 Chartreuse (glow)
!
90290 Purple (glow)
SIZE:
90111 Gold
90265 Orange (glow)
MADE
90286 __________________________________________________________
Neon Trout (glow)
UPC &
90112 White (glow) #10
90266 Red (glow)
90113 Chartreuse (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)
90269 Fire Red (glow)
90193 Chartreuse (glow)
90198 Fire Tiger (glow) #4
90116 Red (glow) GLOW
_______________________________________________________
90258 Neon Trout (glow)
90194 Green (glow)
90292 Purple (glow)
90117 Purple (glow) PAINT
90270 Silver
90195 Orange (glow)
90288 ________________________________________________________________
Neon Trout (glow)
SIZE:
____________________________________________________________________
90109 Neon Trout (glow)
90271 Gold
90196 Blue (glow) N O N -
90173 Silver
#12
90100 Silver
90272 White (glow)
90189 Fire Red (glow)
SIZE:
SIZE:
90197 Fire Tige (glow)
CORROSIVE 90174 Gold
90101 Gold #12
90273 Chartreuse (glow)
90102 White (glow)
90275 Orange (glow) N I T E
90291 Purple (glow)
90175 White (glow) #1
nickel
90287 ____________________________________________
Neon Trout (glow) PLATED
90176 Chartreuse (glow)
90103 Chartreuse (glow)
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)
90278 Fire Tiger (glow)
90106 Red (glow)
nickel
90202 White (glow)
90179 Yellow (glow)
90279 Fire Red (glow)
PLATED
90107 Purple (glow)
90280 Purple (glow) MADE
90203 Chartreuse (glow)
90293 Purple (glow)
$1 50
SIZE:
EACH
90108 Neon Trout (glow) head
90204 Green (glow)
90171 Fire Tiger (glow)
90274 Neon Trout (glow) in USA!
#4
90205 Orange (glow)
90172 Fire Red (glow)
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
145
F i s h G a p e n ’ s w w w. g a p e n . c o m 146
F i s h G a p e n ’ s
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
90431 Light Cahill Larva Tan #12
90432 Light Cahill Larva Tan #14
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
Fish Gapen’s www.gapen.com Fish Gapen’s
EACH
only
$14 95 each
BLUEGILL KIT
only $
14 95
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
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
✩ ✩
✩
Contents Order # 30140
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
Contents Order # 30160
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)
1-Freshwater Shrimp 3/8 oz.
(Crawfish)
4-Twist Jigs
3/8 oz.
(Assorted)
8-Twist Tails
(Assorted)
NORTHERN
GRAYLING KIT
Contents (23 Pieces) Order # 30180
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)
1-Freshwater Shrimp 1/32 oz.
(Black)
LAKE KIT
SMALLMOUTH BASS
Contents (13 Pieces) Order # 30130
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)
1-Freshwater Shrimp 3/8 oz.
(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
1-Hellgrammite 1/4 oz.
only
$14 95
only
$14 95
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
only
150
RIVER KIT
WALLEYE
Contents (10 Pieces) Order # 30100
2-ugly Bugs 1/4 oz.
(White & Green)
1-ugly Bug 1/8 oz.
(Orange)
2-Freshwater Shrimp1/4 oz.
(Yellow & Brown)
2-Freshwater Shrimp 1/8 oz.
(Natural & Chartreuse)
2-Hellgrammites
1/8 oz.
1-Hellgrammite 1/4 oz.
each
(Chartreuse)
RIVER KIT
SMALLMOUTH BASS
Contents (10 Pieces) Order # 30110
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
Contents (11 Pieces) Order # 30120
1-ugly Bug
1/8 oz.
(Chartreuse & Flex)
3-ugly Bugs 1/4 oz.
(Black, Pink & Chartreuse)
1-ugly Bug
3/8 oz.
(Orange)
2-Freshwater Shrimp 1/8 oz.
(Purple & Chartreuse Flex)
1-Freshwater Shrimp 1/4 oz.
(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.
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151
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
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.
Fish Gapen’s www.gapen.com Fish Gapen’s
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
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
FIRESIDE READING
Books
“HOW-TO” RIVER BOOKS
154
“A Happy World”
each
– Hardcover –
By Dan gapen, Sr. Order No. 20110
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 –
By Dan gapen, Sr. Order No. 20111
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
F i s h G a p e n ’ s
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
FIRESIDE READING
Books
CREEKS TO LOVE AND REMEMBER
By Dan gapen, Sr. Order No. 20112
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
By Dan gapen, Sr. Order No. 20120
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
By Dan gapen, Sr. Order No. 20104
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
By Dan gapen, Sr. Order No. 20103
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
By Dan gapen, Sr. Order No. 20107
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.
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
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
By Dan gapen, Sr. Order No. 20100
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.
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
157
Only
Order No. 20101
Only
$12 95
each
The Ol’ Man &
one of his
favorites
each
Fish F i s h Gapen’sG a p e n ’ s
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
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
NOW AVAILABLE
our ‘NEW’ DVDs of:
‘FISHING THE WO RLD’
with the Ol’ Man & ‘Bobber’ Anne
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
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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
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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 #
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Color
41040 White
41041 Yellow
41043 Chrtrs.
41045 Red
41046 Pink
41047 Root Beer
41048 Avocado
41049 Clear Chartreuse
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
41009 Clear Chartreuse
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
42029 Clear Chartreuse
#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.
F i s h G a p e n ’ s
www.gapen.com Fish Gapen’s
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
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
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
F i s h G a p e n ’ s
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’.
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
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
F i s h G a p e n ’ s
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
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.
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
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
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
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
F i s h G a p e n ’ s
– 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.
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
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
F i s h G a p e n ’ s
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
2 - 1 /16 oz. ugly bug Jigs (Each $1.85)
(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
ToTaL reTaIL CosT $42.62
SUPER SAVER COST: $29.98
(plus shipping & handling)
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
171
Fish F i s h Gapen’sG a p e n ’ s
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.
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
173 Fish F i s h Gapen’sG
a p e n ’ s
www.gapen.com Fish Gapen’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
18246 Chartreuse EACH
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
18266 Chartreuse 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
175
Fish F i s h Gapen’sG a p e n ’ s
PLEASE CuT ALONG DOTTED LINE AND MAIL IN
Have yo u
TRIED
Gapen’s MINI
FISH
FRY?
GAPEN PRODuCTS
Order Form
Please complete this form and mail to:
THE GAPEN COMPANY
17910 87 th Street • Becker, MN 55308
UPC &
Quantity Item Order # Size Cost
Look to the Web for monthly updates on NEW
Products, fishing tips and to
purchase products at SPECIAL prices.
New items and items in research
appear on the WEB first!
www.gapen.com
WE AT gAPEN’S JUST LOVE TO FISH!
WE WANT YOuR FEEDBACK:
877-623-2099
✩
USA
IN
✩
✩ ✩
✩ ✩
✩ ✩ ✩
MADE
✩ ✩✩
How did you come to know about us:
(Select all that apply)
g CATALOG g WEBSITE g TRADE SHOW
g MAGAZINE AD g TELEVISION SHOW g WORD OF MOUTH
$
1 65 Special TOLL FREE order number:
Y o u
must try o u r
reliable
ever
Ugly Bugs
GAPEN PRODuCTS
Order Form
Please complete this form and mail to:
✩
USA
IN
✩
✩ ✩
✩ ✩
✩ ✩ ✩
MADE
✩ ✩✩
UPC &
Quantity Item Order # Size Cost
Gapen’s
Have T h e
MuDDLER
FLY!
ORIGINAL
GAPEN PRODuCTS
Order Form
Please complete this form and mail to:
THE GAPEN COMPANY
17910 87 th Street • Becker, MN 55308
✩
USA
IN
✩
✩ ✩
✩ ✩
✩ ✩ ✩
MADE
✩ ✩✩
UPC &
Quantity Item Order # Size Cost
Send to:
Name: _________________________________________________________________________________________
POSTAGE & HANDLING
up to $60.00 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $6.95
Street: _______________________________________________
$60.01 to $110.00 . . . . . . . . . . . . $8.95
$110.01 to $650.00 . . . . . . . . . . $12.00
City:
Over $650.00 . . . . . . . . . Call for Quote
__________________________________________________
2 Day Delivery Add . . . . . . . . . . . $6.50
Next Day Delivery . . . . . . . . . . . $15.00
State, Zip: __________________________________________ Outside u.S. . . . . . . Min. charge $17.00
– Additional costs may apply –
Method of Payment:
VISA
MASTERCARD
DISCOVER
Expiration Date: _________________________
Check
Enclosed
$
Money Order
Enclosed
Special TOLL FREE order number:
877-623-2099
TOTAL
COST
from both sides
Signature: __________________________________________________
Account #: _______________________________________________________________________________________________________
PLEASE CuT ALONG DOTTED LINE AND MAIL IN
PLEASE CuT ALONG DOTTED LINE AND MAIL IN
Look to the Web for monthly updates on NEW
Products, fishing tips and to
purchase products at SPECIAL prices.
New items and items in research
appear on the WEB first!
www.gapen.com
WE AT gAPEN’S JUST LOVE TO FISH!
WE WANT YOuR FEEDBACK:
How did you come to know about us:
(Select all that apply)
g CATALOG g WEBSITE g TRADE SHOW
g MAGAZINE AD g TELEVISION SHOW g WORD OF MOUTH
Special TOLL FREE order number:
877-623-2099
Y o u
just
Have
the
GAPEN PRODuCTS
Order Form
✩
USA
IN
✩
✩ ✩
✩ ✩
✩ ✩ ✩
MADE
✩ ✩✩
Please complete this form and mail to:
UPC &
Quantity Item Order # Size Cost
Send to:
Gotta
NEPAG
Name: _________________________________________________________________________________________
POSTAGE & HANDLING
up to $60.00 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $6.95
Street: _______________________________________________
$60.01 to $110.00 . . . . . . . . . . . . $8.95
$110.01 to $650.00 . . . . . . . . . . $12.00
City:
Over $650.00 . . . . . . . . . Call for Quote
__________________________________________________
2 Day Delivery Add . . . . . . . . . . . $6.50
Next Day Delivery . . . . . . . . . . . $15.00
State, Zip: Outside u.S. . . . . . . Min. charge $17.00
__________________________________________
– Additional costs may apply –
Method of Payment:
VISA
MASTERCARD
DISCOVER
Expiration Date: _________________________
Check
Enclosed
$
Money Order
Enclosed
Account #: _______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Special TOLL FREE order number:
877-623-2099
TOTAL
COST
from both sides
Signature: __________________________________________________
PLEASE CuT ALONG DOTTED LINE AND MAIL IN
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