Hamilton shop Bill’s Bait and Tackle celebrates 75 years

A father-daughter trip to buy her first fishing rod at Bill's Bait and Tackle inspired Hamilton resident Helen Manning to carry on the tradition for two more generations at the fishing equipment shop, now celebrating 75 years in business.

When each of her eight grandkids turns two, Manning takes them to Bill's Bait to buy a fishing rod and fully stocked tackle box - a carrying case used to store supplies - at the 858 Upper James St. shop, which sells fishing and select hunting gear.

I wouldn't think of going anywhere else to buy even a lure," said Manning, adding that she feels an affinity to Bill's Bait because it's been such a (big) part of my life."

The shop was once called Jim's Bait, named after Bill Webster's father, who opened it at the former location on Upper James Street, north of Fennell Avenue. Webster, 80, took over the reins when he was 20 years old.

It's a job that, you've got to know where to go to get the bait, how to catch it, and it changes a little bit every year," said Webster. Decades of learning began with lessons his father imparted on him at a young age in the Grand River to catch carp, or netting minnows using onion bags that he had sewn together. His children had seen so much of it that none of them took up fishing," he said, and at retirement, passed the torch to two of his employees.

Greg Balardo and his brother, Tim, began working at Bill's Bait as co-op students. When Greg was 21, they took it over from Webster and have been running the shop together for almost two decades, with regular check-ins from their mentor.

Obviously it wasn't just us, but it's cool to be part of something that's been around in Hamilton for so long," Balardo said of the 75-year milestone. With its proximity to conservation areas and lakes Erie and Ontario, the brothers' store is uniquely placed to serve a niche market for grub, worms, roe bags, minnows and other live bait.

From telling fishers where to find the best bite of the day, to an annual Crohn's and Colitis Canada charity derby in memory of a former patron, Balardo said the shop continues to foster a community that has grown throughout the pandemic.

It was terrible in the beginning, but now there's been an increase in people fishing or hunting with their families," he said.

With summer around the corner, loyal customer Manning is getting ready to spend more time outside, stow away her ice fishing coat and sled, and hit the waters to practise fly fishing. I feel really good in the great outdoors. I find it very healing."

Vjosa Isai is a reporter at The Spectator covering Hamilton-based business. Reach her via email: visai@thespec.com.