Ari Paataja
Ari Paataja started fishing as early as 1965 and the itch for it doesn't seem to go away. Ari is one of the longest-standing and most productive modern Finnish writers on fishing. Work stints in unions, magazines and tackle trade have given many different views to fishing.

Champion Angler

Widely known for his angling skills, Ari brought European style angling competitions to Finland at the turn of 80's and he's the founder of the pioneering Onkiapaja tackle trading firm. Talking about success, two national team championships, 4 times at the World Championships, the most successful Finnish angler at the World Championships, the first Finnish title won in 1975, three times captain of the angling team at the World Championships for Club Teams, twice member of the Finnish team at Scandinavian championships, etc. Ari has written one book and a huge pile of articles on angling.

Versatility

Of casting mastery, the 1992 team gold medal at the Finnish Casting Championships, and a personal silver medal, can be mentioned. Ari has had several appearances as an expert in fishing and hunting program on national tv. Bomber wobblers signed by Ari have been imported and one colour of the nationally famous EV trutta lure (of Erkki Virolainen) is called Paataja. Casting and trolling skills have been tested, too. In 1991 Ari Paataja won the trolling Championship of the Gulf of Finland togethether with Tapio Helenius. The biggest salmon trolled in a competition that year grabbed a lure that Ari had put out for it.

Part of the experience gained through the years has been documented by a fishing program Kireitä Siimoja (Tight Lines, 2002). The six cassette video fishing series has been characterised as the best Finnish fishing program. Ari Paataja was responsible for the manuscript and narration.