posted by admin on May 10
Whether famous brands or no-names, there are lots of companies out there for fishing that produce everything you can think of in the branch from lures, hooks, and rods to beginner fly fishing rods. Among the oldest companies in this business there are Heddon and Rapala. But before talking about Rapala fishing lures, maybe we should first see a little of its history. The company started the lures production some 60 years ago. The products are clearly crafted from experience and the until now, Rapala has developed progressively winning its name of international brand with a large distribution network and a great position in relation to its competition.
Rapala fishing lures were first produced in Finland. Fishing and farming was the occupation of the man, Lauri Rapala, who founded the company in his native country Finland. The creation of improved lures came from the practical necessity of improving productivity. In 1936 Lauri Rapala finally created a carved rough-looking lure which would produce an off-center and entice wobbling action. This initial model makes the basis for a lot of the Rapala fishing lures.
Rapala company won most of its fame after the Second World War. After the war Rapala revived his small lure making enterprise. In the very beginning, all the Rapala fishing lures were made by the founder himself and later on he involved the members of his family in the process as well. Lauri always wanted to test each and every lure to make sure it worked properly. Even at present all Rapala fishing lures are first tested and only afterwards packed.
After the Olympic Games in Helsinki in 1952, foreign visitors were among the first who took Rapala fishing lures beyond the country’s borders to other countries. Exports began soon afterwards, initially toSweden and Norway and then to the US. In 1957 the business changed its official name into Rapala and Sons or Rapala-Uistin. In 1962, Life Magazine published a long article about Rapala products. It was perhaps because the same magazine issue wrote about Marlyn Monroe’s death that Rapala fishing lures increased their popularity in America, even if the quality of the products contributed most to the market impression.
After the success in the States, Rapala went international, copies having been made after their products. The company has defended itself against these copies both by taking legal actions and, more importantly, by continuing the production of consistent high quality equipment that has always made the difference between the original products and the copies.
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