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 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

Interior Furniture was handmade by the Gapens from local resources: diamond willow, cedar and hand tanned deerhide were the main ingredients of its manufacture.

The Gapen Story … ‘ History ‘

It all began in the far northeastern region of Minnesota with the building of Minnesota’s largest log structure; Hungry Jack Lodge in 1920. Jesse & Sue Gapen and their two sons Don & 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 many of the nation's top outdoor writers 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 Marais, Minn., see modern anglers coming by the thousands to seek out this acrobatic species.

Above, Don Gapen, creator of the Original Muddler Fly in 1936, shows off a 10-pound 4-ounce brooktrout caught on his beloved fly in the river he treasured, the Nipigon. To the right the Original Muddler Fly as it was tied by Don Gapen.

In 1936 Don Gapen moved north to Nipigon, Ontario, Canada, at the end of Hwy 61. 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 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 6 young Dan began tying flies and at the age of 8 began tying flies commercially for his fathers tackle operation. Payment was 1/2 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 Bunyon 66, and the modern Lake Erie weight forward spinner.

Pitched in the magnificent natural setting along the shore of Squaw Bay on Lake Superior's St. Ignace Island, the Gapen's outpost tent camps became home to the adventurous angler.

The Gapens had numerous tent camps on places such as Lake Superior’s St. Ignace Island and Lake Nipigon’s Shakespeare Island. Tent camps would be the base camps for many anglers seeking out their northern wilderness adventure.

Gapen’s had the first floatplane fly-in operation in their section of northern Ontario. For planes, an Ancient gullwing Stinson and a cloth covered Norseman were used. Anglers were whisked off north into the northern forest where enormous numbers of game fish awaited their arrival.

In those years the Gapen’s float planes were restricted from traveling beyond the Albany River system. If the plane were to go down, there would be no search and rescue operation beyond this point.

The rapid, roaring, laughing waters of Ontario's black spruce country is the world in which Dan Gapen Sr., Don's son, gained his love and knowledge of running water and the solitude of wilderness. This is seen and felt in the many books he has written about the land of his youth.

Dan Gapen, who now has become President & CEO of The Gapen Company, grew up in the companionship of the native Ojibwa Indian Guides who had a great deal to do with Dan's education in this northern wilderness. Rivers abounded in this region of Ontario and it was here that young Dan gained a true love for river fishing and its rewards. The numerous books, videos, TV shows and stories written and hosted by 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 his fly tying ability from his father who came from England. This talent has been passed on down through 4 generations of Gapens. Numerous patterns which now exist in the 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 the snag free rock walking Ugly Bug jig in 1968, and the first bottom walking wire sinker called the Bait Walker in 1964. Today, The Gapen Company specializes in many lures which other companies haven’t had the foresite to invent or the willingness to manufacture.

Check the remainder of our web site for a lure or fly which could be the ‘Hot” item on your next fishing trip. The majority of Gapen lures are made here in the USA.