It has been a journey for this 40-year PGA Golf Professional. A Western Michigan native that was blessed experiencing as a young man great golf and rigorous exploration of 100's of Lakes and Streams chasing everything from bluegills to river bound Steelhead and Salmon. As a fly tyer at a very young age the passion was always the creation of that perfect imitation to fool the next bluegill, trout, stream smallmouth or even a Lake Michigan run spawning sucker. It was not the species but the challenge to "match the hatch". At 12 years of age, the first job was cleaning bathrooms at a local golf course. Not only was this designed to have a great place to play golf but most importantly to pay for fishing equipment, new and exciting lures and of course quality fly tying equipment and material. No video games, no cell phones and no internet, just golf and fishing and fly tying.
After a College Education and 20 years in the golf business as an Assistant Golf Professional, Head Professional, General Manager and Marketing Director for a Golf Course Architect Firm a move was made to La Crosse, Wisconsin for a great opportunity in the Golf Business for a great company. Not understanding with clarity, the community I was moving into suddenly the Mississippi River appeared. Did it ever appear! Hooked at first sight! The local mentors are too many to identify but the welcoming of these individuals guided the Bass Fishing craze that has followed.
Most well-versed Bass Fisherman understand that La Crosse, Wisconsin and the Mississippi River has been the long-time home to the Swim Jig. A true river system that allows a jig in many sizes, shapes and forms to be fished during all soft water conditions. After 10 years of fishing in La Crosse it became apparent that most manufacturers were more concerned with the mass production of jigs versus the creation of high-quality jigs. A very high percentage of the jigs on the market had one or more facets missing. Either poorly tied skirts, incorrect hooks for the jig type or presentation, poor paint in the wrong colors or inconsistent manufacturing. This is how KUREiji started. Build quality jigs!
KUREiji Designs
Mississippi Swim Jig
Original Swim Jig
Defender 70 Football Jig
Flippin Banana
Hop Skip & Jump
Born and raised on a Dairy Farm in the Coulee Region of Western Wisconsin the hard work ethic is innate. As a very young man tournament bass fishing became a driven passion and perhaps a built-in trait as any natural athletic skills. 20 years later an impressive bass fishing resume has been the result.
Considered by some inner circles as the GOAT of the Mississippi. And yes! travels well as a tournament fisherman anywhere in the USA.
Pat started fishing tournaments at a very young age and has never lost the drive to continue competing. Growing up in a small town in northern Wisconsin, Pat was blessed to have a plethora of premier lakes within close proximity to hone his future skills. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education in 2006, he decided to pass on teaching and move forward his fishing passion by beginning a full-time career at Scheels All Sports in Eau Claire Wisconsin. While working at Scheels managing the fishing department for over fourteen years Pat became well known as perhaps the most decorated tournament fisherman in Northern Wisconsin. Tournament success in several circuits were the norm.
In 2020 he decided to pursue the dream of fishing full time by registering to fish the entire series of the Bassmaster Eastern Open tournaments. In order to do this, Pat would have to leave his full-time career to focus on fishing. As all tournament bass fisherman understand the rode to the Bass Master Elite series is "the hard rode." Success would soon follow! Pat finished third in the Angler of the year (AOY) race which qualified him for the 2021 Bassmaster Elite Series. In addition to qualifying for the Bassmaster Elite Series, he also qualified for the 2021 Bassmaster Classic by winning the 2020 TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S Nation Championship. An amazing first year! During his first year on the Elite Series Pat finished 55th in the AOY race and viewed his first year as a success and will compete again in 2022. Follow Pat in 2022 on his Facebook and Instagram page.
KUREiji Designs
Lock & Load Elite (all around jig)www.kureijifishing.com
