Ari Paataja has worked as a fishing guide in southern Finland for more than 30 years. His favorite target species are zander and sea trout, but through his guiding career he has also developed extensive expertise in perch, pike, and whitefish fishing.

Ari has been involved in fishing since childhood and, before starting his guiding business, gained broad insight into the sportfishing world through fishing associations and the fishing tackle industry. Over the years, he has introduced Finnish anglers to numerous new fishing techniques and equipment and is widely recognized as a key figure behind the popularity of vertical jigging and modern whitefish fishing in Finland.

He has written a large number of fishing articles for magazines and has hosted two fishing television programs, Kireitä Siimoja (Tight Lines!) and Eräkuksa. Competitive fishing is also close to his heart. Ari has won gold in the Finnish Gulf Trolling Masters and the Helsinki International Boat Fishing Competition, and in 2022 he claimed victory at the prestigious World Predator Championships in the Netherlands. He is also experienced in coarse fishing and placed 8th at the World Freshwater Angling Championships in Bulgaria.

Ari prefers light Daiwa tackle and is especially passionate about the precision and engineering quality of Japanese design.