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Fred Helmer, founder of Fred's Custom Tackle in 1978, continues to own and operate  this local landmark. Freds dedication and passion for the British Columbia Sport Fishery, is demonstrated by his involvement in many organizations, such as, but not limited to, Director and Past President of the Fraser Valley Angling Guides Association, Founding Board Member and Past president of the Fraser Valley Salmon Society, Founding Board Member and current Advisor of the Fraser River Sturgeon Conservation Society, Past Committee Member and current Advisor of the Chilliwack Tourism Board. Fred has participated in numerous fishing television shows such as National Geographic, Real Fishing with Bob Izumi, Sport Fishing British Columbia, Fishing with Shelley and Courtney, Canadian Sport Fishing with Henry Waschuk, Fishing with Gary Cooper, Fishing the West and many others. Fred has been featured in numerous magazines and books such as BC Outdoors, The Reel News, John Wilsons Safaris, Getaway Tours and many others. Freds dedication and involvement with the Fraser River Sturgeon Society Tagging and Monitoring Program has helped develop a database for tracking not only the migratory habits of the great Sturgeon, but the growth and development of over 43,000 individual Sturgeon. Fred founded Fred's Fishing Adventures in 1982 and in 2003, joined forces with Tony Nootebos to create the BC Sport Fishing Group, the largest guided fishing operaton on the Fraser and Harrision Rivers. Fred recently sold his partnership to Tony and has begun a new venture "Fishing with Fred Helmer", which showcases his new 32' Thunderjet Offshore boat and allowed him to expand his Guided Fishing expertise from Salmon and Sturgeon River Fishing to the Pacific Ocean Fishery.
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Shirley brings a host of talents to our team that include professional  photography and web design, as well as her great passion for fishing and the outdoors. Classmate is the name on the new 32' TJ Thunder jet boat that Fred and Shirley now spend time in pursuit of BC fishing opportunities on the West Coast. The name is fitting as Shirley and Fred were classmates in high school and are now mates in life. She has travelled extensively visiting over 125 countries where she has captured some incredible images.Visit emperorimages.com to enjoy her travelling adventures imagery.
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Chris McCunn loves to hunt and fish. He spends most days off in outdoor adventures. His responsibilites at Fred's include many things but he shines in sharing stories and laughing with the many customers everyday at the shop. He builds special lures in the off-hours for beer money and has developed roe curing talents that draw clients from far away. Be sure to ask for Chris' Special Cures - they work!
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Todd Clarke is the newest member of Fred's team. His retail experience began 20 years ago, implementing inventory and point of sales systems. The fishing bug drew him into the retail fishing tackle business 2 1/2 years ago. He is passionate about all styles of fishing, from spey to ultra-light fly on small creeks, tossing topwater for bass or big rigs for sturgeon, and chucking roe on Chilliwack. Todd is also a fly tying fanatic. He takes extra pride in creating original tube and intruder patterns for steelheading. First and foremost, however, is spending as much of his non-fishing time with his wife and 4 children. We welcome Todd's impressive retail experience, complete fishing knowledge and great personality to provide the best customer service and shopping experience possible.
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Lorelei Henderson may be the shortest member of our team in height but she makes up for it in personality. A dedicated mother of 2 boys, she still finds time to assist our team during the busy summer and fall months. She can handle the tasks of issuing licenses, ringing up tills and giving out great information all at the same time, while keeping a great smile and wicked sense of humor.
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 Jordan Wilson comes from a family of fishing enthusiasts that go back a few generations. His passion and knowledge for fishing is likely genetic but we see a commitment and dedication to the outdoors and the environment that is impressive in every way. His career choice as a conservation officer speaks loud and clear to his priorities, but for now he works his days in our shop as a part-time employee. When the summer and fall fisheries are in full swing, Jordan is committed to us during this very busy time. -
Dave Barnes is our custom rod building specialist and has fished the Vedder River for  over 50 years. Rod building began as a hobby for Dave about 40 years ago and now, having retired after 37 years of working with DFO, is back at it. Dave keeps current on new techniques and components and builds rods to customers specifications and satisfaction. A special interest of Dave's is bamboo rod refinishing and restoration.
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