The club was founded in July 1952 at the present site at what was an old gravel pit.

The idea of a club arose in a discussion one day among a few of the old-timers at the Tudor House Pub. Jim Smart is credited with getting the wheels rolling with the Municipality. Permission was given to assemble a portable knock down “shack” on the weekends.

The Esquimalt and District Anglers’ Association is Formed

Victoria Times Newspaper Article Tuesday July 15, 1952, by Roy Thorsen

Spring 1952

Lively new club formed

“Esquimalt Salmon Anglers Unite”

A new salmon fishing club has been born on the local scene.

It is the Esquimalt and District Anglers` Association, formed at the organization meeting last week in the Esquimalt Municipal Hall.

Ken Bishop, 519 Joffre, was elected President, and Navy Petty Officer W.C. Brown, 1220 Bewdley, was named Secretary – Treasurer. Executive committee is composed of Sgt. James Smart ( police ) 508 Lampson; Wilf Gouge, 156 View Royal; W. Des Jardins, 945 Clent and Michael ( Popeye ) Chambers, H.M.C.S. Naden.

Members of the club are already weighing in salmon, a couple already going over 20 pounds, to seek possession of the handsome trophy Gouge has donated. Biggest salmon registered by a member up to Oct 31 will win the silverware.

Next meeting of the club will be August 1. Prize competitions will be discussed at this session. Bishop reported.

Greatly improved fishing in waters of Esquimalt Harbor and out from Victoria Harbor has been one of the inspirations leading to the Club`s formation.

Club membership is open to the general public.

Legal fishing waters for club members are: Esquimalt Harbor to Albert Head, a direct line to Brochie Ledge, then to the Breakwater to Macaulay Point and back to the harbor.

Membership must be obtained 24 hours prior to weighing in a salmon the association has authorized. Rod and reel sports tackle must be used by members. Lines limited to two to a boat or in the event of more persons in the craft, one line for each person.

Weighing-in station will be at Esquimalt Taxi stand. Further station will be established. Broken rod disqualifies member for weighing-in fish as the fish must then be landed by hand.

Esquimalt Anglers’ Association Founding Members 1953

  • Jim Smart
  • Ken Bishop
  • Bill Brown
  • Bill Bendall
  • Mike Chambers
  • Ed Ord

Boats were launched off the sand and gravel beach. Some time later a cement pad was poured as a permanent foundation for the “shack” but it still had to be erected and taken down each weekend. In fact it is said to have been stolen one Saturday night when it was mistakenly left standing after a busy, tiring weekend. Today’s clubhouse is still affectionately referred to as “the shack” by many of the members. Between 1955 and 1961, the east and west ramps were constructed bit by bit. With the pouring of the centre ramp and approach completed in 1966, this part of the project was finally complete. The breakwater dates to 1965 and credit for it goes to John Graeme, Municipal Engineer and member at the time. How it came into being is quite a story in itself. Suffice is to say, John’s determination and dedication guided it through the necessary municipal, provincial, and federal bureaucracies. It is said he even made a personal visit to Ottawa on this issue. Two years later, municipal approval was given to erect a permanent single story clubhouse. That year 1967, there were 300 members. Today’s membership is in the order of 550.

The clubhouse has had a number of additions and renovations to get to it’s present state by 1996. The ramps were repaired in 1992. Dredging and float rebuilding have gone on as required. In 1982, the club constructed the Buxton Green park and a few years later oversaw a project which constructed walking trails around Macaulay Point. In 2000 we constructed a new retaining wall which doubles as a community wall. In 2002 we installed the marker buoy with a mural depicting our nautical heritage. In recent years, the club has devoted much of its energy and finances to salmon enhancement. These efforts are already paying off and the future looks brighter still. It is up to us, the present membership, to ensure the work and spirit of our predecessors continues[/column]

Esquimalt and District Anglers Association Past Presidents

1953Ken Bishop1954Ken Bishop
1955Art White1956Ed DeCosta1957Ken Buxton1958Ken Buxton1959Ken Buxton
1960Ed DeCosta1961Ed DeCosta1962Ken Buxton1963Al Mottershead1964Norm Martin
1965Norm Martin1966Ed Polinsky1967Ed Tutte1968Jim Smart1969Jim Smart
1970Bob Humphreys1971Don Bendall1972Doug Knight1973Norm Martin1974Norm Martin
1975Cal Brillinger1976Cal Brillinger1977Walt Nygaard1978Jim Denniston1979Jim Denniston
1980Jack Stidston1981Jack Stidston1982Walt Nygaard1983Walt Nygaard1984Dan Geib
1985Dan Geib1986Walt Nygaard1987Walt Nygaard1988Glen Steer1989Glen Steer
1990Glen Steer1991Ray Rann1992Earl Hopkins1993Earl Hopkins1994Louis Meszoly
1995Louis Meszoly1996Murray Elphick1997Murray Elphick1998Earl Hopkins1999Earl Hopkins
2000Marshall Farquhar2001Marshall Farquhar2002Steve Downs2003Steve Downs2004Jim Hesketh
2005Jim Hesketh2006Leigh Tradewell2007Leigh Tradewell2008Leigh Tradewell2009Wayne Zaccarelli
2010Wayne Zaccarelli2011Gary Caton2012Gary Caton2013Mike Weber2014Mike Weber
2015Mike Weber2016Mark Steer2017Mark Steer2018Bob Culm2019Bob Culm
2020John Likas2021John Likas2022Gary Caton2023Gary Caton2024Gary Caton
20252026202720282029

Esquimalt Anglers Honorary Life Members

To recognize Esquimalt Anglers who have contributed years of outstanding service and dedication to Esquimalt Anglers Association, the EAA Executive recognizes these members by making them an “Honorary Life Member”.

Below is a list of EAA Members that have represented this type of service and dedication.

Ken BishopJim SmartKen BuxtonPercy Owen
Norm MartinDoug KnightBud MacIldoonCal Brillinger
Dolph PedneaultWalter ColvinJack HosegoodJim Sawyer
Jack StidstonStever Owernychuch 1989Gary Caton 1989Ruby Nygaard 1989
John Graeme 1985Dave Edwards 1996Jim Denniston 1989Maggie Brillinger 1992
Steve Kayter 1992John Kennedy 1997Walt Nygaard 2001Jack Saunders 2003
Charlie Thibadeau 2003Louis Meszoly 2004Earl Hopkins 2004Murray Elphick 2004
Glen Steer 2007 Leigh Tradewell 2012Gord Allen 2012Charlie Blake 2018
Mike Berber 2020