About Us
A little history… It all started with a fridge and a handful of worms. Ivan Berry and his wife Marilyn proved to all that know them, that with a little sweat and perseverance, you can accomplish your dream. In the spring of 1972 , Ivan and Marilyn began Berry’s Bait & Tackle, by selling dew worms from their basement. Marilyn recalls donning rubber gloves and flashlights and heading into the night out on their property, located in the heart of Richmond’s farming community, to harvest dew worms. “There’s nothing to it – see a worm, pick it up.” Their children, Mike and Michele, would often tag along to help mom collect worms. “We had a fridge out on the driveway, with a jar for fishermen to leave their payment – it was an honor system” said Marilyn. “Then, guys started asking if we had any weights or hooks for sale, so we started carrying a small supply of tackle. Before we knew it, our little business had to move from our basement into the garage!
Eventually, the Berry’s learned how to make a variety of roe bait in addition to packing worms. Soon they were supplying many service stations with all of their bait products. Meanwhile, the store continued to grow. Mike began working in the store, then Len Marshall, who would eventually become a partner in this growing family business. (Many of Berry’s regular customers actually mistake Mike and Len for brothers!) Finally, Michele joined the team to make it a true family business.
Fishing Tales… Ivan and the senior staff make their annual pilgrimage to Rivers Inlet, BC each August in search “Walter”, the mythical spring salmon which run through Rivers Inlet. Base camp is Salmon King Lodge. Ivan and Marilyn are part owners of this lodge, and Ivan helped transform it into one of the foremost fishing resort lodges in the Province.
Mike and Len make their annual trek to the mighty Thompson River each November in search of the ultimate trophy – Steelhead. They are always more than happy to share their wild tales of triumph and champion with our customers.
Bragging Rites
| Berry’s personal bests at Rivers Inlet are: |
| Ivan Berry |
72lb. Chinook, and many 60+lb. Ivan won the Daiwa/Safeway fishing championship with a 65lb. Chinook in 199?? |
| Marilyn Berry |
55lb. Chinook. Marilyn prefers to catch the record size Coho that are found in Rivers Inlet. |
| Mike Berry |
65lb. Chinook, caught in 1996, which won Mike the Daiwa Safeway championship. |
| Michele Berry |
67lb. Chinook in 1994, 63lb. Chinook in 1995, and a 56lb. Chinook in 2001. |
| Len Marshall |
58 lb. Chinook in 199?, and many 50+ lb. Chinook. |
Our Customers…
The Berry’s understand that what their customers expect is service, selection, knowledgeable staff and good prices. People often come in to the shop with their tackle boxes already brimming, seeking advice from Berry’s expert staff. Many times a budding fisherman is sent off to the fishin’ hole with just the items he already had in his box, and with a clear idea of how to use them to make that prized catch. Berry’s Bait & Tackle has built a reputation on top-notch customer service first and foremost. We won’t try to sell you something just to make a sale! Our staff are expert fishers themselves who are committed to promoting the enjoyment of fishing to everyone. Berry’s customers can be confident with the advice they are given, from choosing the right tackle, to pointing them in the right direction for fishing success.
This honesty and quality service is what has kept people coming back for over 35 years.
In addition to great service, our customers eagerly anticipate Berry’s two annual sales events: one in mid-April and the other during Father’s Day week. Berry’s also provides their own free recorded fishing report at 604-638-5899, and our website featuring e-commerce, fishing information, and fishing report!
Looking Ahead ...
Berry’s Bait & Tackle has grown to become one of the best stocked sport fishing tackle stores in British Columbia. Located on the site of the original garage, the store now boasts a huge inventory of nearly every kind of bait and tackle imaginable. Ask anyone who fishes, and they will most likely have heard of Berry’s Bait & Tackle, and likely they will have shopped there – whether it was for their first Snoopy tackle box or their latest Sage rod, all have become the valued customers to whom Berry’s strives to serve.
Looking toward the future, as the business continues to expand and grow, Berry’s is busy building on its existing customer base in British Columbia, and with their new website, globally.
Meet the boys…and girls!
Ivan Berry |
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The Big Daddy. Ivan has been the forward thrust of Berry’s since its inception in the early 70’s. He always felt that a great idea along with a lot of hard work could get you somewhere. Ivan was always willing to take the chances that were needed to help the business grow when it needed to. Ivan spent countless hours in the early years packaging thousands of dozens of worms that helped to establish Berry’s Bait & Tackle. |
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Marilyn Berry |
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Alias the “fly” lady, who used to be know as the “worm” lady, Marilyn holds the distinction of being able to recognize all of Berry’s custom tied fly patterns! This is no small feat as we have over 600 different patterns! Marilyn is also active in administration, and other facets of the business. Marilyn tries to be semi-retired but just can’t seem to stay away for too long. This business is truly in her blood. Marilyn also keeps Ivan out of trouble, and they enjoy fishing and hunting grouse each fall at their Sheridan Lake hideaway. They recently got a new black lab pup named Bud, and have been spending time teaching him the fine art of grouse hunting and bird retrieving. |
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Michele Berry |
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Michele has been with Berry’s Bait & Tackle since 1984. In her ambitious desire to learn the business Michele has become proficient in every task Berry’s has to offer. In the past years she has spent much of her time in the store and managing the office. The Berry’s first website, which came online in 1999, has been a welcome addition to the Berry’s many client services. Michele has eagerly moved on to become the site administrator. Daily, she answers the many e-mails we receive from all over the world. Michele enjoys forming new relationships with our many on-line customers, and finds it gratifying to see our new web clientele grow. Michele enjoys fishing, and always looks forward to her annual trip to River’s Inlet with her parents, in search of the ultimate Tyee. She feels she has been blessed with many great fishing memories, and truly memorable fish. She looks forward to serving our new online community in the coming years, and welcomes any comments or suggests that anyone might make. |
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Mike Berry |
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Mike has been with the store from 1981. During his teen years he spent many after school days helping his dad package up the 1000’s of worms that were just the beginning of Berry’s Bait & Tackle. He also learned the art of curing the various types of roe products that have kept many of our customers successful over the years.
Mike has undertaken the huge job of stocking the shop with a great selection of all of the fishing items that keep our customers coming back. He believes that service and selection is the key to our business and he is right!
His favorite fishing places are; the Fraser River for Sockeye and springs in the summer, The Thompson River for Steelhead in November and Rivers Inlet for springs in August. He has recently become enamored with Bass fishing and finds it quite exciting.
Mike and his son Adam had the fish of a lifetime, in August of 2001. They were fishing the Fraser River and had just landed a spring over 30 lb. Mike hooked what felt like a “ nice one “ shortly after, and handed it off to Adam so he could play the fish. Adam “cranked” it in as his dad held the rod.>Soon they had the fish on its side close to shore and Mike excitedly grabbed the line to guide the fish in. It was a monster … He felt that it was easily over 60 lbs.
The fish all of a sudden “woke up”, gave a mighty shake of its head, and shook the hook out, gracefully sliding into the shadows of the river.
Next came that heart wrenching feeling one gets when a magnificent fish is lost … one we have all felt more than a few times over the years.
It is a memory that he and Adam will never forget … the one that got away …… It’s what brings us all back to fishing year after year ….. |
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Len Marshall |
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Len spent many hours perusing the growing inventory of fishing supplies in the store in the early days.
An avid fisherman, he made almost daily pilgrimage visits to the store and was a regular there. In fact he spent so much time there in the late 70’s, he began helping the Berry’s with their growing business, on a regular basis … in those days he was working in the forestry industry and later for the teamsters union. In the early 80’s he was laid off, and began spending even more time at his favorite tackle store.Before he knew it he had been offered a full time job and had became part of the Berry’s team, and later a partner in the business.
Len brought to the company extensive knowledge of River and Ocean fishing, (and has become quite proficient in lake and fly fishing in the past few years). He could be seen on any given day off, cruising across to Active or Porlier pass in his 12 foot aluminum boat, which was a rather tenuous journey on any given day. There was nothing, 12-foot waves, Gail force winds, or any type of bad weather that could keep Len from fishing in the early days. Len now prefers the comfort of cousin Rod’s 24 footer and a warm rum, and leaves the “fishin crazy “ adventures to the younger anglers.
Len spends his workdays assisting Mike in keeping the store well stocked, as well as assisting the many customers that visit the store every day. He is also rather proficient in the spinning of fish tales and hunting lore, as he is still an avid outdoorsman. Drop in anytime and Len and the other staff will be glad to share and swap fishing stories with you. This friendly atmosphere is what keeps our regulars coming back ……
Be careful if you hang around long enough you might end up with a lifetime job! |
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We would like to welcome Mike Eng back to our home waters … Mike was a previous employee here at Berry's who has pursued other fishing experience over the past 7 years-guiding, fishing in numerous new areas as well as accruing more retail experience in the Nikka Industries tackle department . He has now returned to the “home stream” and we look forward to many years with him here at Berry’s . Welcome home Mike!
We would like to welcome Matt Suzuki to our team as of July 2007
Japanese at heart and soul, but a true west coast angler in his depth and experience, Matt's fly shop and angling career is extensive and well defined. Starting first in Japanese fly shops , Matt moved to B.C. in 1992 and quickly realized his passion for it's fish and flies. An accomplished Spey fisherman, tournament single hand distance caster, fly tier and still water expert, Matt can be found throughout our local waters. When he is not found on the lakes and rivers , you can find Matt at the vise tying Classic Spey and Dee flies. A decade and a half later Matt continues to live in B.C. and will now offer his first class service and expertise to Berry's clients. Drop in for a visit and meet Matt our newest team member.
Valuable members of Berry's Team ...
Store Employees: Kevin, Matt and part time help - Fred, Richie and John and Marco
Bait Department: Dean
Accounting: Doreen
Receiving: Sue
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