BC Sportfishing Legend Passes - IVAN BERRY

[Capt Josh]

"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.

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."

(Copied from http://www.berrysbait.com)

I just learned that Ivan passed on to the great Tyee hole in the sky, and i thought about all of the wonderful times i enjoyed with all of the Berry's over the years since i first set foot in the Berry's Bait & Tackle family door. Packing worms and roe in the back of Berry's tackle shop was my first job as a kid in this industry. Later i became a deckhand and fishing guide at Salmon King Lodge, where Ivan would spend countless hours teaching me the finer points of the art of giant king salmon (Tyee) fishing. Later, in the offseason, working retail in his store we would share stories of our adventures from the previous summer and dream of the day that a 100 pound Tyee would find it's way to our scales.

The memories, times, and lessons i've enjoyed and learned with Ivan and all of the Berry's over the years have helped to shape me into the person i am today, continue to fuel my passion for this great industry, and have helped to bring me all of the wonderful gifts that i have enjoyed because of the things i've learned from Ivan and his team over the years.

I was up in BC a lot last summer, and i kept saying "I need to get over to Berry's and say hi to Ivan and the team" but i never made it and now learning of Ivan's passing i regret i didn't get one last chance to look into his mischievous eyes and tell him a few more marlin and tuna stories from south of the border, relive old times we shared on the water together, and just spend some more quality time next to a man that left a definitive mark on my past, and helped to launch my wild and crazy career.

I'm sure that i'm not alone in my feelings for Ivan, and the entire Berry's family. They have all effected many lives over the years, and have always taken the time to take young up and comers to the industry in, teach them that hard work and dedication are paramount to success, and share some of their advice, experience, and kindness to everyone that comes through their door. I certainly wouldn't be the man i am today without the lessons i've learned from all of them, and i just wanted to take this time to say THANK YOU to the Berry's family and team.

I know Ivan is once again zooming along on the placid surface of Tyee filled waters, hair blowing in the chilly morning wind, chuckling to himself as he cuts a perfect cut-plug herring, and smiling as he lowers it into the murky depths. I couldn't be happier to know that with Ivan up there, no Tyee will ever enjoy a moment of peace in heaven again.

Catch them up Ivan, and thanks again for all of the help and great times over the years.

[Captcrafton]

Sounds like one helluva fine man, we all seem to owe any sort of success we have in this business to someone or some event that "turned the light on". Thanks for bringing back some forgotten times and friends that seem to slip away over time. One of these days I hope to meet this man at a gathering where they are always biting and you never run out of bait. My Papaw will be there waiting.
Thanks

[Otoro]

Shame... sad news.

I grew up a couple kilometers from their "house/shop" and used to ride my bike over to buy salmon roe. Bought most of my first gear there as well.......I can still here Mr. Berry's rumbling voice in the background!

They taught me a load and were always willing to spend extra time with a young kid eager to learn.

I hope Mike and family keep the tradition going....

[Sallycurtis]

Wow sorry for your loss Josh and aswell to Ivans family. I remeber when u worked there, that seems like a million years ago. I think you used to spend more time with him and his family than you did with me ..lol! He was defintly apart of lauching your career, as much as your passion and talent. I hope his family carrys on his legacy

RIP Ivan xoxoxoxo

[HOLWACHAGOT]

Sorry for your loss Josh....sounds like he'll be missed.
Holwachagot