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Staff

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  • Fred Helmer, founder of Fred's Custom Tackle in 1978, continues to own and operate this local landmark. Fred’s 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 Wilson’s Safaris, Getaway Tours and many others. Fred’s 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. 
  • 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.

  • Dave Guenette, or as many refer to as 'Uncle Dave', brings a very warm caring and fun personality to our shop. His love for fishing is only secondary to his love for his favourite girl, his wife Vickie, who also shares a great passion for fishing. Dave started working at Fred’s in 2000, bringing a vast knowledge of the sport, complimented by stories on the water that have to be considered priceless. 

 

  • Chris McCunn has been with us since early 2007 and has been fishing for over 16 years. He is very passionate about hunting and fishing and would like to one day own his own fishing business.  


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  • Daryl Martens, the most recent addition to Fred's team, brings with him a wealth of fishing knowledge. He has been tying and casting flies for over 20 years and has been in the  fishing retail business for 15. Daryl has fished extensively in many locations including Washington state, Alberta and BC including Vancouver Island.  
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  • Chuck Cavanagh started with us in 2008 bringing with him over 35 years
    of retail and business experience. His passion for fishing combined with a passion for excellent customer service will make your visit to our store a great experience.     Chuck and all our staff are committed to making our store your destination for all your tackle and fishing information.      
        
  • Sherry Porcina, our senior office manager, joined the team in 2002. She leads the organizational and accounting framework of the company, including the latest in computerization. Her friendly voice is heard on the after hours phone system. She is a dedicated mom with two enthusiastic sons who love to fish.

  •  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.