RAPALA STORY

It started with hunger....

Lauri Rapala was born in 1905 in Sysmä in the village of  Rapala , from where his mother Maria moved with her 5 years old son to Asikkala.
He married Elma Leppänen and brought up 7 children living in a small cottage in the village of Riihilahti .

Lauri Rapalas statue near Vääksy canal

To make  better living for himself and his family, Lauri started to develop a lure that would increase the productivity of his fishing. In 1936 he finally managed to carve a rough-looking lure that produced an off-centre and enticing wobbling action - the one that still is basis for many Rapala-lures The story of  Rapala lures had begun.www.rapala.net