Tom, George and Jimmie

Bob Alexander sent me some information on a photo in the previous post, which I re-post immediately below (Image 643):

Hi Dennis: Jim Gilbert is on the extreme right, my Uncle George is in the middle wearing a Cowhican Indian sweater, and my dad, Tom Alexander is on the extreme left, wearing a checked shirt with a ball cap sitting tilted on his head. 

Here is the full text that Bob sent my way regarding Saanich Inlet angling: 

The two other guys in the third picture including Jim Gilbert on the far right, was, on the far left, my dad, Tom Alexander, and in the centre, George Alexander, older brother to Tom, and both uncle's to Jim Gilbert, and brother-in-laws to Harry Gilbert, who married Mary, my aunt, older sister to both George and Tom.

Harry started and owned Gilbert's Marina before Jimmie, in time, dad growing in years, took the marina over. Jimmie was more business minded than his dad, expanding on the marina, starting a bait and guide service, installing a boat launch for those who trailed boats, and eventually expanding on his inherited dad's gifted and knowledgeable native art creations, lifting them commercially to world renown level. 

George, at the time the photo was taken, was living in Vancouver, Manager of a Canada Safeway store. Tom, who lived in Brentwood, and his brother in-law, Roy Smith, probably caught more salmon in Brentwood Bay than any fisherman who fished there. And there were some awesome guys in those days, including the likes of John Rose, Bob RedGraves, Tommy Moss, and Gordy Lamont. 

My dad eventually started Uncle Tom's Bait and Guide Service, his hand cut herring strip the required go to for any hi-liner hitting Gold River, Nahmint, or the Port Alberni Canal. Sorry if I got a little wordy, but you have over the years shown a few pictures of my dad...commonly nicked named and referred to in Brentwood Bay as a Tacka Brown.  Thought you might like some clarification on the photo.  

By the way, my still to this day fishing partner, Lonnie Richards and I look forward and enjoy your weekly articles. I now live in Nanoose Bay, Lonnie still in Saanichton, and we often meet weekly in Duncan for lunch during our non fishing seasons, your latest article the centre of out luncheon discussions. I think I mentioned that while growing up and going to school I worked for my uncle and cousin, Harry and Jimmy at Gilbert's, while Lonnie worked for Bud Blackburn at Anglers Anchorage Marina.  

Of course in those days VSIAA [Victoria Saanich Inlet Anglers Association] was in full swing, their derby's, prizes and buttons a draw for anyone who fished in Brentwood in those days. As anyone will share with you, while Sooke, Pedder Bay, and the Victoria waterfront were very productive, Brentwood Bay could be fished when these and other hot spots were so rough boats couldn't get out on the water.  

A very Happy New Year to you and your family, and we encourage you in the good work you are doing for our west coast sports salmon fishery. Bob Alexander

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I started fishing Saanich Inlet in 1975, some years after the 'heyday' years. Both John Rose and Bob Redgrave were still fishing and taught me a great deal, particularly using wire line and planers, wooden, Peetz reels, and as much line out as 350 feet. John was absolutely specific about using large strip teasers with left hand flanks of herring, because they spiralled, if memory serves me, left to right. He was right, as the super teasers - that rotated the opposite direction - did not work as well as the large strip teasers.  The point was to get the scale side on the outside so that it would attract fish. Meat side out was less successful.


I found that downriggers worked well at first light as well as later in the day when the fish had descended to 142 feet, when I sometimes switched back to downriggers. Do note that I usually used planers at dawn. Downriggers put the lures too close to the boat, and one's catch was greatly diminished if you used them all day. In summer, late afternoon fishing, say at Bamberton, started at 110 feet on the downrigger, or 250 feet on the planer.

The calculation used in setting out planers was: every two feet let out equaled a foot of descent, until 150 feet, or 75 feet deep. After that the calculation was three feet out equaled a foot of descent, or 100 feet equaled 33 feet. Hence roughly 110 feet deep equaled roughly 250 feet let out. Peetz reels have counters and thus you can easily read how much line is out and thus how deep the tackle is.


I still have my planer rods, and if I fished Saanich Inlet again, would use them once again. They just work so much better in this very quiet water. The Inlet was absolutely specific, and the fishing pattern for both shores of its 18 mile deep inlet would fish the same today as it did in the highliner fishing days. Add Tod Inlet as extra to the 18 miles.