Gibbs gave to commumity and sport

By Jeff Weltz - Mission City Record - May 15, 2008

While John Pease Gordon, commissioner of provincial fisheries, was marking his page in B.C. history with his catches of Harrison River chinook and coho salmon, tool and die maker Rufus Gibbs (founder of the present day Gibbs/Nortac Company) was opening shop on Main Street in Vancouver.

After the first Gibbs Tool and Stamping Works was destroyed by fire in 1912, Gibbs relocated his operation on Dufferin Street. At this location Gibbs, along with his mainstay business, began experimenting in the field of fishing lure manufacturing.

Through his own experiences as a sport angler and by listening attentively to the praises and criticisms of the commercial fisherman using his products, Gibbs was able to rework his lures to perfection. As a result of his eye for detail, his lures rapidly became popular throughout B.C. and the rest of Canada, later evolving into a full line of tackle and accessories.

Gibbs was also a philanthropist. As a regular visitor to the Cowichan area, he often donated a silver cup to the holder of the largest chinook salmon caught in season on a Gibbs spoon. He also was known to give away a set of seven Gibbs spoons each month, to the captor of the largest salmon on any lure. Along with his lasting gift to the history of our sport, Gibbs gave substantially to the establishment of boys clubs, the Vancouver Aquarium, the Canadian Arthritic and Rheumatism Society, Trent University, and the restoration of St. John the Devine Church in Yale, B.C.

Fishing report

With the heat finally on, fishing on our local Lower Mainland lakes should be great this weekend. For wet (sinking) fly fishing try chironomid, Bloodworm, Micro Leach, Wooly worm, Pheasant Tail nymph, Doc Spratley, Green Spratley, Dragonfly Nymph, Coachman, Cased Caddis, Carey Special, Zulu, or Baggy Shrimp. If dry (floating) fly is your fancy try Tom Thumb, Renegade, Lady McConnel, Elk Hair Caddis, Griffith Gnat, Royal Coachman, or Black Gnat.

Fishing on our interior lakes also looks good with 50-fish days being reported at some locations.

The Fraser River is rising. For better success start working the clearer water in and around the outlets of its tributary streams, for dolly varden and cutthroat.

The Harrison River is good for cutthroat and dolly varden.

The Stave River is fair to good for rainbow, cutthroat, and whitefish.

Until the next time, “Keep your fly in the water.”

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Gibbs gave to commumity and sport

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