Pro Staff

Meet Our Pro-Staff

Aaron Mitson - Post Falls, Idaho

I grew up fishing on Lake Coeur d' Alene in North Idaho. My Grandfather, Great Uncle, and my Dad introduced me to Kokanee and Trout fishing when I was right around 7 years old. It only took one trip out and I was forever hooked.

Kokanee and Trout fishing sure has evolved since I was a kid and thankfully the tackle just keeps getting better. I have grown such an appreciation for the quality of gear that Kokabow Tackle has to offer. I decided to give Kokabow Tackle a try just this year. I was finally fed up and tired of the tape on my dodgers fading and tearing off, disappointed by the poor quality leaders and hooks from other companies, and last but not least paying good money for tackle that doesn't last day in and out of heavy use and many fish. I saw Kokabow's custom paint jobs and said I need to give these a go. I was even more impressed when I got out on the water opened the dodger package and really noticed the glitter inlaid in the beautiful color combos reflecting in the sun. It was at that moment I knew Kokabow was going to get the job done. Kokabow has proven to endure, and most importantly put fish on the end of mine, my friends and families line all the time. I am so grateful to be a part of this great team of people who offer nothing but great service, experienced advice, top quality products, and love what they do.

Chris Zuccato - Middleton, Idaho

I grew up an avid outdoorsman in Northern California. As a kid some of my earliest memories are of fishing for trout with my dad and younger brothers in mountain creeks and lakes in the area. I can still vividly remember the first trout that I caught on my own at 5 years old. I can still remember nearly 40 years later the rod and reel I had and the lure that I caught it on. Since that time my love for fishing and hunting has only increased.

At 16 I taught myself to fly fish because I wanted to catch the tougher fish that wanted nothing to do with my spinning gear and lures. I moved to Idaho at 21 for college and my outdoors skills evolved along with my education as I studied to earn a biology degree with the intention of being a biologist for Fish and Game or US Fish and Wildlife. However, after earning my degree life did as life does, and I went in a different direction earning a post graduate degree in chiropractic and now I run my own office in Middleton.

4 years ago I had the opportunity to buy a boat to help me pursue one of my other passions which is duck hunting, and at the same time a couple of friends invited me and introduced me to trolling and Kokanee fishing. I was hooked immediately! By the next spring my duck boat was rigged up with downriggers and I was catching Kokanee off my own boat. With the knowledge gained through attending Kokanee seminars put on by Alan Greenhalgh, my own understanding of other fish species, experimentation on the water, and the best quality gear out there with Kokabow Tackle I was quickly catching limits of the best tasting fish out there and spending more and more time on the water. Now representing Kokabow is a natural transition for me because I’ve always loved to help others to learn the things I’m passionate about, and I always gravitate toward the gear that will help me to do it the best.

Doug Edwards - Emmett, Idaho

An Idaho native, one of my earliest memories is of my dad teaching me to stream fish on the Payette River near McCall. Even as a six-year old all it took was one bite to keep me patiently holding my pole for hours. Since then I’ve spent more time than my wife appreciates fishing in Alaska for salmon—silvers, kings, and reds, in the reservoirs for bass and crappie, in the Snake for sturgeon, and in the Salmon for steelhead. Now, though, I’m hooked on Kokanee.

In 2017 I attended a seminar at Cabela's where Alan Greenhalgh gave a presentation that inspired me. On March 15 I went to Anderson Ranch Reservoir, caught eleven beautiful Kokanee, and became a fanatic. My wife is happy because they are delicious, and my dog, Jake, is happy because he can come fishing with me here in Southern Idaho. I’m so passionate about Kokanee fishing that I have trouble sleeping the night before I go. Kokabow gear is by far the best tackle I’ve ever used. Alan understands the Kokanee personality—he knows what makes them bite in differing water conditions and even in varying types of daylight. The quality of the materials and assembly is matchless, too. I thank Alan for introducing me to the sport and for giving me the opportunity to be a spokesman for Kokabow squid, bugs, spinners, and tail feather blades.

Jim Peterson - Kuna, Idaho

Born in Boise and spending most of his youth in Lewiston, Jim is a true Idaho Native. His earliest fishing adventures included riding his bicycle to the Snake and Clearwater Rivers in search of steelhead, bass and trout. He spent many family camping trips on the North Fork of the Clearwater River, the Lochsa and the St. Joe River where he learned to fish for native cutthroat and rainbow trout.

Jim's first experience fishing for Bluebacks (Kokanee Salmon) was in 1967 on Coeur d'Alene Lake. He recalls the tackle he used was a wedding ring, leaded line on a fly reel, and a heavy spinning rod. He has been a passionate kokanee angler ever since. Jim still ventures north to fish Hayden Lake, Twin Lakes and Dwarshak Reservoir, but his true passion now lies in the reservoirs on the Boise River system.

Creating kokanee tackle always intrigued Jim. He spent many hours trying to build the perfect lure, but after meeting Alan of Kokabow Tackle LLC a few years back he knew he couldn't design a lure that has the quality of a Kokabow Spinner. Jim says this about Kokabow Tackle, "I have found Kokabow Tackle to CONSISTANTLY catch more kokanee than any other kokanee tackle on the market". Jim works closely with Kokabow Tackle and provides feedback on designs, colors and lure ideas. He is also highly involved in testing prototype tackle.

Jim currently is employed as a Fishing Outfitter with Cabela's adding his specialty in trolling techniques for kokanee and salmon.

Michael Hugev - Chelan, Washington

I was born and raised in Washington State. At a very young age, I started fishing with my father at our local lakes. We would catch mostly rainbows, cutthroat and some kokanee. As a teenager, I would vacation with my family in Chelan. We would fish on Lake Chelan and some of the smaller lakes. After graduating from Central Washington University, I found myself being drawn back to the Chelan area. The Kokanee fishery quickly gained my interest once again.

In those beginning years fishing on Lake Chelan, there was many long days of learning. I wasn't completely satisfied with my results so I started tying my own Kokanee gear. I will never forget the day when I read an article about Kokabow squids. I bought two of them at a local sporting goods store. After I went out fishing with those squids, I knew this tackle would be a game changer for me! I was catching the Kokanee limit quicker than I had ever done before. Kokabow is not only for Kokanee! I have caught Lake Trout, Rainbows, Cutthroat and Chinook Salmon.

I use Kokabow Fishing Tackle because it catches fish, the landing ratio increased, it is made with quality components and it fishes effectively right out of the package!

My passion for fishing hasn't changed since those early years, but my tackle has for sure! Kokabow Fishing Tackle gets it done!

Nick Gates - Nampa, Idaho

I have always loved the outdoors. My family moved to Nampa Idaho when I was ten years old. Since then I spend every spare moment I can on the water. I love to wake up early and head to the lake so I can be the first one there.

I met my wife Rachel in 2009 and we were married in 2014. We spend every weekend we can together outdoors. My son, Hoyt, was born in 2015 and now it's a family affair. We all count the seconds till we can go kokanee fishing again. Sharing my passion with my wife and son has been the best thrill of all! Hoyt can almost out cast his old man.

I use Kokabow Tackle because it puts fish in my boat! It is very durable and outlasts the competition. I love this tackle and will always use it! I would highly recommend this tackle to anyone hands down.

Tyler Ramos - Meridian, Idaho

I grew up fishing the rivers in Northern California for salmon, striper, and sturgeon. In the mid 2000's salmon season didn't open for several years due to a decline in the salmon population. I had a giant void between my fishing seasons so a family friend invited me out to a local lake to chase Kokanee and I loved it. Once salmon was open again, I went back to spending more time on the rivers, so I only went Kokanee fishing a few times a year.

In 2014, I relocated to Las Vegas for work where there was hardly any fishing compared to what I grew up with, so my time on the water reduced drastically. Fortunately, in 2015 I relocated again to Idaho. Since 2015 I have fallen in love with this state and everything it has to offer. This is where my relationship with Kokabow Tackle began.

I had heard about the awesome Kokanee fishing close by and wanted to get back in to it. I still had all my old tackle, but it had been a couple of years since I purchased any new gear. I went to a local tackle shop and started looking at what they had on the shelves. That's when I saw Kokabow for the first time. From the first look at the packaging I could tell there was quality and care that went into making Kokabow Tackle. I picked up a few things and went to Anderson Rach that weekend and absolutely slaughtered the Kokanee. I tried my former favorites but they did not compare to the action I got with Kokabow. It has been the only tackle I have used since!