Dan Gapen of Gapens tackle passed away Sunday . He invited the ugly bug and Muddler minnow hair jigs. Two of the best River Smallie jigs every made. Meet him a few times really nice guy and one of the best River Fisherman there was. R.I.P.

RIP

Dan Gapen has attended the Chicago sport shows ever winter for many many year working the Gapen fishing booth. A couple years back my father and I were talking to him about whatnot. Dad, who is now 81 was talking to Dan about watching him on TV when he was young. Dan is/was only 8 years his senior. Dan may not have been a big name nationwide but he's had a huge fishing influence in the Midwest. 

I bought several things from the Gapen's booth at the local sportshow every winter. I was pretty young and can't remember if Dan was ever there, but sad to hear either way. 

Never heard of Dan, but I can assure you you no one will ever mention me on an internet forum when I pass. So, Dan must have been a good guy. Thinking of Dan's family.

I met Dan at our Boat, Sport, and Travel show several years ago. Just a down to earth nice man. I was quick to attribute the invention of the Muddler Minnow to him but he reminded me that it was his dad, Don who had done so. Ugly Bugs and Hairy Worms (I liked purple) were my go to creek baits in addition to Mepps spinners during my teen years.

I talked to him a few times. He wrote a book on fishing the old Northwest Territories which I bought & read. He was a real story teller. He also fished with Bobber Anne a lady angler that was ahead of her time. He was a member of the International Fishing Hall of Fame as was his father. His interests varied from fishing, lure making, guiding, envirmentalist, author & and a slew of other outdoor interests. RIP Dan Gapen.

 

I heard his name  a lot but didnt know much about him . I use to have some Gapens Ugly Bugs but never found a niche for them .

I never met the man, but he introduced the Gapen Bait Walker sinker that is still one of the best bottom bouncing weights that doesn't hang up in rip rap.  There are a couple of pictures of him hanging at the local Bass Pro Shops. Likely the best river fisherman the midwest has seen in decades.

I started going to the boat / fishing shows in the '70's and that was the first time i saw him. He and bobber ann were there every year since. He never seemed to age. Five years or so ago he was selling these beautiful Polish hardbaits, (pike or big bass)  and i got 4 of them for about $6 apiece.  Well made and i caught a fewfish with them.

On 11/24/2021 at 9:31 AM, Dwight Hottle said:

I talked to him a few times. He wrote a book on fishing the old Northwest Territories which I bought & read. He was a real story teller. He also fished with Bobber Anne a lady angler that was ahead of her time. He was a member of the International Fishing Hall of Fame as was his father. His interests varied from fishing, lure making, guiding, envirmentalist, author & and a slew of other outdoor interests. RIP Dan Gapen.

 

I completely forgot about Bobber Anne. I haven't seen Midwest Outdoors tv show in years. Don't even know if they are still making them 

Anne Orth (“Bobber Anne”) was also just recently inducted into the Hall of Fame (2018). Below pic; Dan and I at a Midwest sport show.

 

8 minutes ago, slonezp said:

I haven't seen Midwest Outdoors tv show in years. Don't even know if they are still making them 

They're at least putting up stuff on YouTube

MidwestOutdoors TV on YouTube

They sell some awesome floats (bobbers). Although i wouldn't use them, they were so different from what i have ever seen that i wanted them anyway.