about Baranof Excursions

A born-and-raised Alaskan, AJ spent his formative years hunting, fishing, and trapping from his family's home, a floating logging camp located northwest of Ketchikan in Neets Bay. If a biographer were to write about AJ's experience in the Alaskan outdoors, we can assure you it would most likely be to the tune of been there, done that. While many people talk about a desire to live comfortably by themselves in the wilderness, few really enjoy their own company enough to do so; AJ is one of the rare outdoorsman that could spend three weeks solo in the woods, and not get lonely.

AJ knows every nook and cranny of the area surrounding Ketchikan. His boat handling skills are renowned, as he has traveled most of Southeast Alaska in small skiffs during his trapping, fishing and hunting adventures. Out of all of our guides, AJ probably has the most eclectic and interesting stories of outdoor living in Alaska: he has guided on the Nushagak River in the Bristol Bay drainage hunting caribou and moose; chased mountain goats and Sitka black tail deer through the hillsides in Southeast Alaska; led brown bear hunters through the wilderness of the Misty Fjords National Monument; and caught halibut and king salmon off the coast of Prince of Wales Island. (He is, in our professional opinion, also the man you would want with you if you needed to build a fire in the middle of a rainstorm on a cold, remote beach).

One of AJ's favorite fishing styles is trolling for halibut, using the boat's downriggers. He drops cut herring plugs down within feet of the ocean floor. The beauty of the technique is the ability to not only catch halibut, but lunker kings.

With AJ you'll also have the opportunity to get an in-depth understanding of the flora and fauna that makes up Southeast Alaska. Or, alternatively, if you would like to hear a recitation of one of the more popular Robert Service poems while out fishing, he'd be the guide you'd want.

When he's not guiding, AJ spends time with his son, Wolf, who will undoubtedly inherit AJ's love for wild spaces.

Andy grew up in northern California. However, he knew he was meant to be in Alaska. He moved to Fairbanks in 2009. There he ran a successful glass business. He eventually sold his glass company and was looking for a change for him and his family. He stumbled on Ketchikan by chance and he and his family fell in love with our small town.

As a kid he loved fishing for pike and trout and became well versed in freshwater fishing. In the mid-2000s he found his passion for saltwater fishing. His favorite thing to fish for is northern pike.

When he isn’t fishing, Andy is an avid hunter, loves to surf (in Hawaii), and enjoys snowmobiling. To describe Andy in three words we would use fun loving, determined, and adventurous. A fun fact about Andy is he started working on boats in Hawaii but loves Alaska more. We are excited Andy will be joining our team this year.

Chris is our Lead Guide at Baranof Excursions, so if you have a question on Alaska fishing he is the perfect person to ask. One of Chris's most marked traits is that he has an unquenchable curiosity. If Chris can't find the answer within his own personal resources, the guide pool, or friends and family in Southeast Alaska, he'll find a way to get it. He's a prolific reader when it comes to fishing, and he's always ready to listen to stories from either the old timers or one of his fellow guides, because he knows he might walk away with a nugget of fishing wisdom. Because of this, he's a wonderful resource on Alaska fish and all things fishing.

Chris has an amazing dedication to his clients; he's always focused on ensuring everybody has a successful day on the water. A typical day with Chris would have you running 45-60 minutes out to the back of Duke Island, Mary Island, or one of the other areas touched by the bordering open ocean, which often gives access to a wider variety of fish. Rock cod and lingcod are more prolific in the areas that are fed by the open ocean currents, and Chris knows it. He's always trying out new cuts for herring plugs, a different reel, or the unique technique he just picked up off of the fisherman he met in Thomas Basin. Chris's willingness to experiment with bait, tackle and different fishing techniques is one of the reasons he is one of our most consistently requested guides.

Chris is a long-term resident of Ketchikan, but he's also likely our only guide to have actually rode bulls in his younger years. But don't hold his wilder days against him! Rather, let it help you get a deeper insight into his personality: Chris is ready for whatever challenge comes his way.

Born and raised in Washington, Connor knew he was destined to live in Alaska through the numerous influences in his life. After all, he was raised by family members who were lifelong fishing guides in both Washington and Alaska, and his eventual move to up to the Last Frontier was by no means coincidental. Connor grew up fishing for Steelheads and Salmon, all the while hearing of great stories and experiences to be had in Alaska. It was finally through the encouragement of his Uncle that Connor found his way up to Chicagof Island during his Junior year of high school, where he would go on to spend the next 5 months working as a deckhand. His time in Chicagof allowed him to finally experience the Alaskan adventure he had grown up hearing about. It was from this point on, Connor knew he wanted to call Southeast Alaska home one day. This became a reality for him in 2021, when his fiancé was offered a teaching position at a local Ketchikan school, and the two quickly jumped at the opportunity to begin their next adventure.

Shortly after moving to Ketchikan, Connor joined the Baranof Fishing team in 2022. His passion for fishing, outgoing personality and competitive nature allow for an ambitious and persistent fishing experience. His enthusiasm for Guiding in Alaska is apparent from the moment the introductions are made. Connor’s aggressive fishing style and determination certainly call for a memorable day on the water. Whether jigging for rockfish, or pursuing the elusive Pacifici Halibut, Connor makes sure guests have a full day on the water. As he has described it, fishing is more than just a lifestyle...it’s an addiction. Baranof is grateful to have Connor’s energy and fishing prowess on our team.

David’s passion for knowledge infuses everything he does, and that includes fishing! At Baranof, this means he has a knack for species identification and a relentless drive to learn as much as he can about every fish he encounters. A trip with David ensures you’ll be out on the water with a captain who is intrigued by scientific names, food preferences, life cycles, and unique adaptations of every fish you’ll see. If you want to know more about a particular species as fish come aboard, just ask!

David developed his passion for education as a young Boy Scout in his hometown of Bellingham, Washington, but became most well-versed in ecological and biological instruction during his time as a staff member at the Catalina Environmental Leadership Program (CELP) on Catalina Island in Southern California. Working at CELP gave David the opportunity to hone in on a variety of guiding skills; kayaking; hiking; snorkeling; gardening; and astronomy. It was also on Catalina where David discovered his love of fishing. He and his fellow staff members dove into the unique hobby of nighttime snorkeling and spearfishing, chasing yellowtail, bonito, kelp bass, and California halibut through blue water and rocky reefs.

David joined our Baranof crew in 2019, after making Ketchikan his home year-round. When David is out fishing with a group of guests, he often likes to get multiple different gear set-ups in the water at one time, and then transition everyone to whatever set-up seems to be attracting the most fish on a given day. He describes fishing as biological detective work. The fun is combining all information (or rumors) available about how water, nutrients, and fish move through the canyons and peaks of the sea floor, trying to visualize where the fish are and what they’re hungry for.

David is also an excellent guide to choose if you are fishing with kids. Not only does he have years of experience in outdoor education, but he has also worked for both Ketchikan’s Residential Youth Care and Community Connections, providing mental health support to local youth. He’s particularly adept at using his own curiosity and wonder for all things wild to inspire young minds to see the world of fishing through new eyes. He is a patient and kind teacher to those learning a skill for the first time.

When David isn’t captaining for Baranof, you’re likely to find him sailing aboard his sloop, Cinnamon, diving in search of the sea creatures beneath the surface, elucidating upon the latest film he watched, singing sea shanties, or out fishing with fellow Baranof captain, Jamie (“King Slayer”) Karlson in their hardtop Raider, The Aluminum Falcon.

Born and raised right on the Ocean in San Diego, David Smithers has had a relationship with the water from as early as he can remember. From snorkeling, to surfing and spearfishing, Davids's environmental passion has paved the way for him to pursue careers in youth outdoors education and leadership. David spent 4 years on Catalina Island instructing students from first grade through college about nature appreciation and sustainability. His four years in Catalina proved to be an invaluable experience, not only meeting lifelong friends, but molding his passions into something he wanted to continue to pursue throughout his life.

David found his way up to Ketchikan in the Summer of 2019 as a Kayak guide and knew that there was far more to explore on the island than could be experienced in one summer. He spent the next few years back in San Diego, and in 2022 he made the decision to return to Ketchikan. He is now a proud year-round resident.

His qualifications and skillset have earned him a position as a first-year Captain on our fleet. David has the qualifications, enthusiasm and personality that will carry through in his guiding. His years on the water and interest in Alaska will only serve to heighten the guest's experience. His background in environmental education, his outgoing personality and passion for adventure will be a terrific addition to our team, and we look forward to seeing him on our dock this upcoming summer.

Dustin grew up in Florida, spending most of his time in either Key West or Fort Myer. His dad and aunt are responsible for teaching Dustin how to fish. He learned how to fly fish at just 6 years old. While in Florida Dustin became scuba certified and master certified.

He knew he wanted to be a captain from a young age and to no surprise he passed his captain license at 17 while still a senior in high school. He had his own fishing charter operation in Key West and has been a guide for many other years. He is also well versed in commercial fishing and spear fishing. In addition, he also was a tour guide in crystal river, the only place in the world where you can swim with manatees.

Dustins mom is originally from Juneau, so when the Florida heat finally became too much this move to Alaska seemed to be the natural next step. He is excited for the rich fishing waters that Ketchikan has, a completely different environment change and all this quaint town has to offer. His favorite fishing is saltwater, and he is looking forward to fishing for salmon and halibut. Dustin is very outgoing, friendly, and adventurous and we can’t wait for guests to meet him.

When Dustin is not fishing you can find him out hiking, camping, hunting, pretty much anything in the great outdoors. A fun fact about Dustin is he used to be an alligator wrestler and wrangler!

We are so excited for Dustin to be joining the Baranof family. We know our guests are going to love Dustin and will learn a lot about fishing from him.

Grayson is from beautiful sunny San Diego. He has always been passionate about the great outdoors. He got his start in outdoor education as a camp counselor on Catalina Island. He did that for several years until he started his fishing career in commercial fishing in 2015. He worked up in St. Marys in the Yukon. Having no commercial fishing experience, he demonstrated he was a fast learner. Never being to Alaska before he quickly fell in love with the state and fishing.

He eventually found his way to Ketchikan through friends he had met while working in Catalina. He worked as a snorkel guide for a season in 2017. Then he transitioned into being a kayak guide for 3 years. He knew his passion for fishing never went away so in 2021 Grayson came and started at Baranof as an evening dockhand. Fell in love with the company and started guiding in 2022 and has yet to look back.

When he isn’t fishing you can find him hiking, tide-pooling, foraging throughout the island, and spear fishing. He is also an avid traveler, looking for the next great location to visit. Three words to describe Grayson would be outgoing, cunning, and sedulous. A fun fact about Grayson is he is a 3rd generation mariner. He is always upbeat and never in a bad mood. We are so excited to have Grayson back on our team. He is extremely knowledgeable about fishing and the surrounding environment. We know fellow guides can learn a lot from him as well as all his guests.

We find Jack's most outstanding attribute to be his ability to orchestrate beautifully customized days of fishing. In other words, he is one of the most organized, visionary guides that we have here at Baranof Excursions. Jack can size up a family or a couple of individual fishermen and truly grasp what it's going to take to make this day special for them.

To Jack, each day fishing is an opportunity to not just bring home fish, but to also have an experience. If you're hoping to see wildlife, Jack will make the extra effort to bring you near to eagles scooping fish from the ocean in their talons, or seals playing off the rocky shoreline. If you have a hankering to see an Alaskan-style campsite, Jack will be sure to pull you up on one of our beaches and cook you up a piece of fresh-caught fish. Or say you simply want to enjoy the expansive views on the edge of the Tongass Narrows, and the quiet putter of the boat engine as you troll for salmon, rockfish, or halibut. For any and all of the above, Jack's your guy!

Jack grew up smack-dab in the middle of Wisconsin in our country's Midwest, but he spent the nearly twenty years prior to his arrival in Ketchikan exploring the streets and culture of New York City. While he long called the bustling city streets his home, many of Ketchikan's residents arrive here for a summer of seasonal work, and fall in love with the raw, wild beauty of Southeast Alaska. On this particular point, Jack is no exception: he got hooked.

Jack is also extremely well read and an experienced traveler: he has been everywhere from Chile to Spain to Morocco to South Africa. As such, he is comfortable with just about anybody-the poster child of a "people person." With Jack, not only will you catch fish, but if you're interested, he's also quite capable of providing you with some quality intellectual conversation.

In the winter time, Jack has worked for Ketchikan's SAIL, a non-profit organization that helps people living with disabilities get out enjoying a variety of activities within the community. For anyone looking for added assistance, he's perfectly able to help meet your needs so you can have an extraordinary day out on the water.

Jacob Smith is a second-generation fishing captain who grew up on the water in Satellite Beach, Florida learning how to fish from his father. By the time he was 18 he had his own captain's license, but the search for the perfect wave called him to the sea more clearly than fishing during his youth. After graduating high school, Jacob headed to Australia. While surfing Australia, Southeast Asia, Central America, and fishing Costa Rica, he picked up his diploma for audio engineering at a technical institution during his spare time.

After getting married to a traveling nurse, Jacob decided it was time to settle down and fish for a living. Fellow Floridian and Baranof guide Lukas Brickweg recommended Baranof, and after Jacob's wife accepted a nursing job at our local hospital they decided to include Ketchikan in their future plans. Eventually, Mr. and Mrs. Smith plan to work in Ketchikan during the summers and use their sailboat to explore the Caribbean and beyond during our "winter months" from October until April.

Jacob is an avid fisherman. When he's not working, you can find him practicing the fly-fishing skills his father taught him as a child, learning the intricacies of steelhead fishing, or practicing the art of fish taxidermy. When he's on the clock, he enjoys vertical jigging for lingcod and halibut with his clients, as well as hunting for king salmon when the opportunity arises. Jacob knows how to pull fish out of the water, but more importantly, he has been teaching others how to do so since he was a kid.

When you speak to Jacob, you may get the sense that he doesn't believe he's led a very interesting life so far. Sure, he's traveled half-way around the world, surfed in places most people can't find on a map, married a woman that shares his love for adventure, and plans on "settling down" by splitting the year between fishing in the Alaskan wilderness and operating a sailboat in Florida, but that's unremarkable, right? At Baranof, we believe his passion for new experiences is remarkable, and a key ingredient in what makes him such a great fishing guide; he takes the time to enjoy where he's at and what he's doing, and shares the enjoyment of living for the moment with his clients.

Jamie Karlson is a third generation Alaskan, born and bred in Ketchikan right along the shores of the Tongass Narrows. If you're looking to fish with someone who straight-up loves being on the water - and just about everything about her Alaskan life - Jamie is the right guide for you. Her enthusiasm is infectious; there are no bad days fishing with Jamie, because even just the smell of the sea air has her smiling.

But it's not just Jamie's positive attitude that's worth experiencing. This woman is renowned for her skills with a fishing rod, and we'll gladly boast her halibut arm. We've heard all about Jamie's days off, because in this small town, news travels fast! Picture her out in the middle of the channel in her little blue skiff, the F/V Forget Me Knot, decked out in rain gear in the blowing wind, with just her dog, Buddy, and a pole in hand, chasing the next big catch. And when that big ol' halibut comes tugging on that line, you better believe it - she'll land it, too! Jamie is level-headed, strong, and the right amount of fearless.

Jamie grew up fishing alongside her twin brother, Jeff, taught by their father and mother and grandfather, who were all commercial fishermen. Ask any of the Karlson family, and they'll be quick to tell you: Jamie has a special touch. She's the first one out and the last one back - her patience is unbeatable on days when that bite just feels impossibly slow. She knows all about putting in her time, and it pays off!

Jamie's favorite style of fishing is mooching, because she particularly likes working the bottom to top, targeting all fish. She typically uses a banana weight with a cut plug herring, and she particularly enjoys fishing for halibut using light gear more typical to salmon fishing. But whether salmon or halibut, rockfish or cod, this woman knows how to fish!

When she's not fishing, Jamie spends her times out climbing Ketchikan's mountainous rainforest trails, working as a middle school music teacher, or performing in any number of our local music groups as a flutist.

You know what you're dealing with when you shake Jim's hand and see he's wearing a Cubs's hat-and find out he wore it long before their most recent World Series victory. At Baranof Excursions, we cannot help but see this as a positive trait in a fisherman: Jim has an unquenchable optimism, and a genuine enjoyment for life. Slow bite? No problem. Jim has the patience to wait it out, and the personality to make any situation full of fun. He's always laughing, joking, and prodding. While catching fish is always his goal, he also believes that whatever the day, whatever the catch, it's never too late to have a good time. His personal motto? Don't take life too seriously. If you are quick to recognize the absurdities of life, you'll quickly find yourself laughing along with Jim.

But don't mistake his irreverent humor for a lack of appreciation for his surroundings: Jim has a deep love for Alaska, which may be the very thing that affords him such a light-hearted spirit. To Jim, being out on the water is more than just fishing-it's a chance to immerse yourself fully in the vast beauty of our wild landscape. There's nowhere else on the planet he'd rather be, and he'll be quick to tell you so.

Jim is a year-round resident of Ketchikan. In the off-season he is a paraprofessional, working in Ketchikan's school district on behalf of kids with autism. He likes to spend time with his wife, Lisa, and if he's not fishing, you might find him dabbling in his artistic side through photography, playing Cribbage, or rooting for the Cubs. This said, we'll be honest with you: Jim's fishing skills exceed his Cribbage skills.

Jim's love for fishing came from his grandfather, who started taking him trout fishing in upstate New York when Jim was 12 years old. He's been fishing with us for the last six years and, perhaps by nature of his easy-going personality, he's not biased in one way or another toward any particular kind of Alaskan fish. Whether it's jigging for salmon or bottom fishing for halibut, he has the skill and attitude to reel them in. (Just be sure to come to his boat ready to "Fish Dance," a skill Jim will be happy to show you, and best known to seduce the creatures of the deep.)

When we think of John as a fisherman, we simply have to attach the word "professional," as that is exactly how he conducts himself. He is easy-going, carries a constant smile, simply enjoys fishing, and makes it all look easy to boot!

A normal day with John will have you traveling 30-40 miles south of town where he'll either anchor you up at one of his favorite halibut holes, or have you drift along over the bottom. He has both the patience and the confidence to put everyone's lines together in a logical, effective manner-on one side of the boat he'll likely set folks up with bait, while the other side will have jigs. If the fish don't seem to be coming, his motto is Be patient. And you know what? John invariably brings the fish in. He has some of the most consistent numbers catching halibut of all of our guides-he just seems to know how to find them. Once the rockfish and cod start coming, the halibut seem to follow, and each person on John's boat has a good time.

John grew up in Southeast Alaska, and guided for 20 years on the west coast of Prince of Wales Island, near Klawock. As one of our most senior guides, he's been guiding with Baranof Excursions for 13 years, and is one of our most consistently requested guides.

Jonathan is from San Juan Island, Washington. He grew up on the coast of Northwest Washington sailing and fishing. His family helped him fall in love with the world of fishing. When Jonathan was younger, he would row himself in his walker bay out of the channel in front of his house to catch coho and Black Rockfish.

He attended Western Washington University and got a degree in Marine Biology and Field Education. He has worked multiple years as a multi-day sea kayak guide. He and his wife bought a sailboat and sailed down to Mexico together. They now split their time, Ketchikan in the summer and Baja, Mexico in the winter. His favorite type of fish to catch is king salmon while in Alaska and Yellowtail while in Mexico. No matter where Jonathan is he is always looking for a place to fish.

He loves Ketchikan for being one of the only places in Southeast Alaska where you can fish in the open ocean and fly out of an international airport in the same day.

When he isn’t fishing you can’t find him sailing, spear fishing, hunting, kayaking, studying maps, and spending time with his sweet wife. Three words Jonathan would describe himself with would be on the troll. A fun fact about Jonathan is his wife is also a guide with us. We are thrilled to have Jonathan on our Baranof team!

Lindsey grew up in Minnesota learning how to fish in the land of 10,000 lakes. She learned at a young age from her dad how to fish for bass and pike on Lake Minnewaska. She attended the University of Georgia and graduated with a degree in Journalism and Videography. She then moved to San Juan Island, Washington. Once moved to the Pacific northwest she bought a 24 ft sailboat to live on while working in tourism in the San Juan islands. Once in San Juan islands, she developed a love for salmon fishing and after that she dreamed of moving to Alaska.

She then got married and they bought a bigger sailboat to live on and they both got their captain’s license. They then set sail from Washington and cruised down to Mexico.

After loving Northwest Washington so much the next step was Southeast Alaska it seemed like a more abundant, wilder version of what they already loved about Washington. Ketchikan is the best of both worlds with being fully immersed in the wilderness and fishing but also having a great town with modern resources. Having an international airport is a great luxury. When Lindsey isn’t fishing you can find her sailing, sail making, whittling, diving, spear fishing, cooking, or playing piano. If she could describe herself in three words she would use keep moving forward. A fun fact about Linsey is her husband Jonathan is also a captain with us here at Baranof. They now split their time fishing for Salmon in Ketchikan in the summer, and winters fishing for Yellowtail in Baja, Mexico. Fishing went from a hobby for both to a main driving force in their lives. We are excited to have Lindsey on our team this season!

Mary grew up in Grafton, West Virginia. She grew up in the woods and on the river and decided she wanted something completely different. Therefore, she made the move to the ocean and rainforest. Mary first came to Ketchikan in 2014.

She got into fishing with her friends and family. Harvesting and processing the wild-food bounty Alaska has to offer.

When Mary isn’t fishing, she stays busy by being a math a science teacher here in Ketchikan. Like so many others she enjoys the small-town community vibe. She also enjoys kayaking, quilting, reading books, and forcing Ketchikan youths to love or at least pretend to love math! She also enjoys time with her dog Mud Puddle. If we had to describe Mary it would be effervescent, confident, and neighborly. We are excited for Mary to be back guiding with us again this year.

Mike is the craftsman of our guides, and it shows in nearly everything he has done throughout his life. A born and raised Ketchikan resident, he is known throughout town for his meticulous attention to detail, whether it be overhauling an outboard, or rebuilding a Piper seaplane. His boat is organized-there's a place for everything, and everything is always in its place-and this seems to translate easily into his success in catching fish.

Mike is an excellent bottom fisherman: his discipline and organization means it doesn't take him long to get out to and on top of the pinnacles and crannies that are homes to a nice, large red snapper (yelloweye), or locked-in place to draw out a stubborn halibut. Guests often also appreciate Mike's ability to clearly articulate the fishing process and everything that goes along with it.

When Mike's not working for us, his passions are hunting and fishing in his own time. During the summer, he is guaranteed to have crab and shrimp pots strategically placed all throughout our narrow channels, and is easily ready to bring in a load whenever one gets full. He's also known as one of Ketchikan's talented Sitka blacktail hunters, and often flies in his own Piper Super Cruiser to set-up a hunting camp at one of our numerous high mountain lakes.

If you have Mike as a guide, all you have to do is watch him fillet a halibut to know we meant meticulous. We think his best uniform would be a surgeon's gown-he makes no missed cuts, and his fillets are immaculate. If you don't believe us, take note of what happens when he's filleting a fish near his fellow guides: they all stop to watch, hoping to witness his precision.

Captain Richard (or “Rich” as he is known on our docks) has been a Ketchikan local for the past 15 years. Born and raised in California, his father instilled his love of water and fishing from an early age. His journey to Ketchikan was inspired through his desire to catch a Pacific Halibut. He has been a special part of the Baranof FIshing team for the past four years, and we like him.

Since Rich arrived in Ketchikan, he was overwhelmed by the uniqueness of the island and what Ketchikan offers. The blend of adventure, art and fishing sat well with him-, he chose a place that was once voted as the top 100 small arts towns in the United States. Shortly after taking time to study the new Alaskan waters, he was surrounded by, Rich started his own Sportsfishing business. He ran boat charters for 5 years with his son Steve. This experience allowed Rich to continue passing down the family tradition of instilling a love of the water and fishing in his children, just as he was taught.

Rich’s inspiration from his experiences on the water are expressed through his artistic clothing designs, which feature numerous sea life adaptations. Every piece of clothing also features a “signature” marking, which includes a picture of his dog Lola’s pawprint. Lola is an honorary member of our dogs-ofthe-dock, a group of our other beloved staff pups and led by our Canine Executive Officer, Rosie.

When asked what makes Ketchikan special, Rich expressed that Ketchikan embodies his passion for art and fishing in a unique way that only an island in the middle of nowhere could do. We are happy to have someone on our team that is as passionate about sharing the uniqueness of Ketchikan as we are.

Ryan was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest. He grew up fishing the waters of Oregon, Washington, and Idaho with his father and grandfather. His grandfather introduced him to salmon fishing when he was just 5 years old and he has never looked back. Ryan's favorite species to target is King salmon. It is not uncommon for him to charter fish all day and then head out on his own in pursuit of his next Chinook. Ryan has owned his own highly successful Charter service in the Ketchikan area since 2011 before Joining the Baranof team full time for the 2022 season. His rationale is that Captains get to focus more on fishing than business owners.

In the off-season Ryan Is a full-time teacher in Central Washington. He teaches Economics, Accounting, Marketing, and Personal Finance. He has been teaching for the past 14 years. Ryan recently completed his M.B.A. Ryan went to school on a baseball scholarship. He is passionate about the game. He has coached at every level from T Ball to college. Ryan served as an associate scout for the San Francisco Giants, scouting emerging talent in the Pacific Northwest. Ryan now enjoys serving as his high school's head coach for the special Olympics. In his spare time, you will find him on the water chasing Salmon, Steelhead, Bass, Walleye, Sturgeon, and Tuna. Ryan is also an avid upland bird and waterfowl hunter.

Ryans profession as a teacher shows up on his charters. He is incredibly patient with guests and loves explaining all of the variables at play for a successful fishing charter. Ryan reviews speak for themselves. His customers appreciate his attention to detail and passion for fishing.

Sam was born and raised right here in Ketchikan, Alaska. He is the quintessential Alaskan outdoorsman from the artistry he puts into fishing, to hunting Sitka black-tail deer in the Fall- Sam is a committed student of his environment. What stands out about a day on the water with Sam is the overwhelming sense of calm and competency guests experience with him when they head out into the Water.

Sam joined the Baranof Fishing Team in 2017, and he has been Guiding with Baranof ever since. When Sam is not on the water, he has a career as an electrical lineman repairing community lines that have been affected by natural disaster storms. His work has taken him throughout the entire United States, leaving him with only 5 states remaining until he’s reached all 50. Although it may be difficult to get out of him, Sam is an accomplished pianist and his artistic skill set and precision carry through all that he does. His life journey has certainly been a unique one, but for him there is no place that compares to living in Ketchikan.

Sam’s life journey, character and work-ethic are unique. We embrace his individuality and are happy to have him as a Captain with our team!

Steve grew up as one of seven children, and inherited the fishing bug from his father while casting lines for large mouth bass, crappie, and perch in the ponds of Laurel, Mississippi. But the ponds ultimately weren't quite enough for Steve: by the time he turned seventeen, he'd fallen full-bore in love with fly fishing. He would get in his car nearly every weekend and drive to Arkansas to fish in the White River for both rainbow and brown trout. If you want to see passion show clearly on a man's face, just bring up the art of fly fishing, and Steve will deliver. During the twenty years Steve served our country in both the navy and the air force, he could be found during his leave fishing in locations as distant as the Philippines and Japan. He still travels 20-30 times a year to satiate his love for fly fishing.

While self-taught, Steve is a skilled fly fishing instructor with much recognition in the field, and we'd be foolish not to tap into this potential for diversification. So if you arrive at Baranof and want to go beyond saltwater fishing and try your hand at the local trout streams, he is the guide for you. His advice to guests hoping to go fly fishing? Don't worry about the pole or the tackle. Just be sure you have a good set of waders and I'll take care of the rest! Outside of that, just be sure to give Steve a little background so he can determine if you'll be starting out with streamers or flies.

While we're clearly admitting this man's heart mostly belongs to fly fishing, we don't see this as a weakness when it comes to his saltwater fishing! Instead, Steve brings a distinct perspective rooted in his fly fishing love, which translates to unique set-ups and a keen attention to detail. You can find Steve using a Japanese butterfly jig, which uses two Troker ultra-sharp stinger hooks lying alongside a contemporary spoon. He also prefers a lighter rod and tackle, especially when targeting rockfish. Whether standing in a stream or on the deck of the boat, Steve knows his fish and how to share his fishing knowledge with his guests. And if his pure passion alone doesn't leave you smiling and crazy-in-love with fishing yourself, we'll be surprised!

When Steve's not fishing, he's also a white tail deer hunter, an accomplished sailor, and a professional wildlife photographer who donates all profits from his photography to St. Jude Hospital. If you'd like to view his photography, or contribute to St. Jude's, we invite you to check out his website, Hunter K Photography.

Born and raised in Southern California, Cravens spent many days at his father's tackle shack meeting other fisherman and gaining fishing experience which is something that he would go on to pursue as his lifelong career and passion. Cravens has spent 25 years living year-round in Hawaii working as a sportfishing guide and building lifelong friendships. His tenure in Alaska, California and Hawaii has given him a wide spectrum of fishing skills.

Cravens is old time reliable, professional, positive and has a work ethic that makes the rest of us look bad. In Cravens’ own words, guiding for him is all about making people happy. We know that our appreciation of Cravens and hoping he sticks around for a while can be said for anyone that has worked with him over the last 25 years. Cravens joined the Baranof Fishing team during the Summer of 2022 marking his 7th season of working in Alaska. Beyond his strong fishing skills, Cravens’ loyalty to his career, his guests, co-workers, and friends has shown through in all the smiles coming off the dock on folks who have spent the day with him.

Tim is a world traveler and knowledge-seeker. His innate curiosity about the world around him is a great addition to our Baranoff Fishing team. Time worked on our docks this past summer, and it is clear to us that his professionalism and attention to detail would be a great addition to our Guiding team.

Tim has had numerous globetrotting experiences, spending time in places such as Europe and Australia to name a few. His interests in culture and travel are a drive for him to gain a deeper understanding of a place. When it comes to the unique island of Ketchikan, Tim has been continuously uncovering and enjoying all the novelties, beauty and demands that come from residing in a small but mighty rainforest community. He found his way to Ketchikan 8 years ago to pursue seasonal work that would require him to spend most of his day outdoors. Originally from the East Coast, Tim grew up fishing in lakes and the Atlantic Ocean. He found his way to Ketchikan after hearing stories from other friends who had spent time in the summer working in Alaska. Since his move to the island, Tim has spent the past near decade learning and experiencing fishing on Alaskan waters. He enjoys not only fishing for salmon and halibut, but for other species including squid, black cod and snorkeling for shellfish. If there was a unique and obscure species in the water to pursue, Tim is the one to do it.

For Tim, the fishing experience does not stop on the boat. Tim is interested in learning new culinary skills with his catch. He regularly indulges in the cooking process after a fishing day, taking the time to experiment with different recipes to gain an enriched culinary understanding. In a place like Ketchikan and at a company like Baranof that honors the foraging lifestyle for meals, Tim has found himself the perfect outdoor environment in an unexpected place. All this to say, any guests that find themselves fishing with Tim this summer, are bound to gain a story or two- whether it’s a secret stellar cooking recipe or a story of travel, Tim’s knowledge and desire to share his findings will make the excursion a memorable one.

Tony grew up in central Wisconsin in a town called Mosinee. He first got into fishing from his dad and both of his grandpas. He spent a lot of time at their family cabin in northern Wisconsin. While in high school he played golf, baseball and was gifted in soccer, he still had a strong passion for fishing. He eventually wanted a change and wanted to give Alaska a try. He first came to Ketchikan looking for a change in 2013 and he worked as a zip line guide before starting with Baranof in 2016. His favorite thing about Ketchikan is it’s such an outdoorsman’s paradise.

His favorite fish back home to catch is blue gill with a simple bobber and worm and here in Alaska he loves rockfish just because he loves the quantity you get when fishing for them. We would describe Tony as extremely knowledgeable, a good mentor to others and has a fun sarcastic wit about him. Whether catching blue gill back in Wisconsin, chasing coho is Alaska or catching massive yellowtail and snoek fish in South Africa, Tony is always looking forward to a great fishing trip.

When Tony isn’t fishing, he enjoys hiking, camping, spending time with family and his puppy Lambeau. If you couldn’t tell by his puppy’s name, he is a Cheesehead for life and enjoys a good brat and squeaky cheese curds. We are so excited to have Tony back on our team this year!