The Zulkeski brothers have always loved fishing.
We joined Kris and Kory one sunny morning at Mamanesco Lake. When Kris received a phone call, his fishing reel ringtone (which was impressively realistic, we must admit) perfectly underscored just how next-level their passion for the sport runs.
As kids growing up in Norwalk, the brothers learned to fish along the Connecticut shoreline. Their parents also had a summer house on Peach Lake in North Salem, where Kris and Kory honed their casting and reeling skills.
“We always talked about opening a tackle shop,” Kris tells us. “And when we saw this property open up, we decided to finally go for it.”
Kris and Kory, who are both veterans, opened KAZ Outdoors in October 2024, initially aiming to be a one-stop shop for adventuring, with products for hikers, campers, anglers, and more.
However, given the sheer quantity of inventory required to sustain such an operation, it quickly became clear that the setup was untenable. The brothers pivoted, narrowing the store’s focus to selling only bait and tackle.
“Most of our customers were coming in for fishing tackle anyway,” Kory tells us. “Which is what we really wanted to focus on all along.”
For years, Ridgefield’s fishing scene has dwindled. There was no local bait or tackle shop, no tournaments, and more popular lakes farther north drew anglers away. When KAZ Outdoors opened, Kris and Kory were surprised by just how many people were interested in fishing—and more so by how many of them were kids.
“A lot of times, parents come in and simply tell us, ‘Get my kids what they need to catch fish,’” Kris tells us. “And that’s exactly what we do.”
One could argue that this younger generation of anglers—who grew up with the necessity of social distancing—was inspired to take up the sport because of that. Or perhaps it’s that parents are trying to get their kids outside and off screens, and spending a few hundred dollars on some fishing gear and a rowboat is a small price to pay for doing just that. Or maybe it’s simpler still—maybe kids just think fishing is fun... and they’ve gotten hooked.
Despite the demands of running the store, the brothers both maintain full-time jobs.
“It’s not easy, but we make it work because we love what we do and are committed to serving the Ridgefield fishing community,” Kory tells us.
Kory runs KAZ Wildlife. As a licensed Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator, the business specializes in the removal and prevention of unwanted wildlife around homes and properties. Kris works as the sole Animal Control Officer for the Town of Ridgefield, a position he’s held since 2017.
“Kory catches raccoons all morning, and I catch dogs. In the afternoon, we go fishing,” Kris says, laughing.
Once Kory and Kris opened the store, they decided—please excuse the pun—there were bigger fish to fry than just running bait and tackle shop. They wanted to bring bona fide fishing tournaments back to Ridgefield.
On Saturday, May 3, the first state-permitted fishing tournament in over a decade was held at Mamanesco Lake. Anglers ranging in age from 9 to 69—40 in total—fished for bass on the 89-acre body of water. The pure joy of bringing this tournament to life was evident on both brothers’ faces.
“There are pros on the lake in top-of-the-line fishing kayaks and kids in $200 rowboats,” Kris tells us. “They’re all participating in a legitimate, state-permitted tournament right here in Ridgefield.”
Different tournaments have different rules. To keep things simple, KAZ Outdoors set a minimum length of 10 inches for the fish. Anglers with the top three heaviest bass received a cash prize and a loaded tackle box from various KAZ vendors—including brands like St. Croix, Rapala, Keitech, DRC, and Rugged Road Coolers.
“They’re having a blast out there,” Kory says. “They’re all joking with each other and laughing. Fishing is great because you can do it with friends—or on your own. Either way, it’s a lot of fun.”
What sets KAZ Outdoors apart from big-box stores is the combined knowledge of Kris, Kory, and their employees—many of whom head out fishing after finishing their shifts. Their expertise extends beyond gear recommendations, including tips on local fishing spots. They direct customers to nearby bodies of water within a ten-minute drive or suggest spots farther north, like Candlewood Lake, Lake Zoar, or Lake Lillinonah, as well as coastal locations in Norwalk and Westport.
“It all depends on what customers are looking for, how much time they have, and whether they’re on a boat or not,” Kris explains. “Fishing can be overwhelming and intimidating. We want people to feel comfortable when they walk in and be able to ask, ‘Where should I go, and what should I use?’”
From popular brands to high-end custom products, KAZ stocks a wide variety of rods and reels. They carry lures ranging from soft plastics and jigs to spinners and crankbaits. Fresh, live, and frozen bait are always stocked—a rarity in Fairfield County. KAZ also sells other angler gear, including Rugged Road coolers, known for being lighter and more durable than other name-brand options.
KAZ also issues permits to fish the Saugatuck Reservoir, which are distributed by Aquarion Water Company.
New this year are fishing adventure parties for kids who love to fish. KAZ can accommodate up to eight participants on their electric-powered pontoon boat at Mamanesco Lake. Staff members demonstrate proper baiting techniques and offer hands-on guidance. Rods, reels, life preservers, and professional photos are all included.
It’s clear from talking with Kris and Kory how meaningful fishing was to them growing up and how much they still love it as adults. It’s a core memory they’ve turned into a career. That morning at the KAZ Outdoors fishing tournament on Mamanesco Lake, we witnessed core memories being made by the next generation of anglers.
Visit KAZ Outdoors at 714 Danbury Road to get hooked on fishing or check out their website at kazoutdoors.com. For birthday party inquiries, email KAZoutdoorsllc@gmail.com.