about Baranof Excursions

Aaron has been a guide with us for the last four seasons. One of our favorite experiences at Baranof Excursions is to encounter someone with the raw skill to be good at something, and then to help them cultivate it. Aaron is smart, capable, and driven, and it shows. He started as a captain in one of our skiffs, introducing guests to our Alaska Fishing Wilderness Dining tour, but quickly moved into halibut fishing, then halibut fishing in outside waters, then fishing for cohos, and then learning the artistry required in catching king salmon. During this time, Aaron has become a truly excellent fisherman.

Aaron most enjoys mooching as a type of Alaskan fishing-not only for salmon, but also for rockfish and lingcod. He mostly runs j-hooks and fishes big grubs with 10-inch lead heads, with the goal of helping all of his clients have a successful day out on the water. If you're feeling antsy and really want to catch that fish, he'll be sure to give you the grub, as it works well for the active angler. If you're a greenhorn just learning the ropes, a good circle hook might do the trick for the easiest set-up. To put it straight, Aaron is always on top of any hang-ups, ready to problem solve to figure out what best suits the needs of both a buddy fishing as well as a professional angler.

In the off-season, Aaron is attending Fresno State University and studying Business Management with an emphasis on Recreation. He's also an avid hunter from October to January. Whether it be duck, wild pig, blacktail deer, or mule deer, Aaron is bound to be out there in the wildest California spots for whatever is in season.

We have yet to see a crew of folks coming off one of Aaron's boats that didn't thoroughly enjoy themselves. Still in his 20's, he is one of our youngest guides. To his benefit, he has the technological savvy and "know-how" for which the millennial generation is known, combined with the technical skill and resilience of any good Alaskan fisherman.

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.

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.

Geoff is an extraordinarily experienced, well-traveled North American saltwater fisherman. If there's good fishing, it's likely Geoff has been there. He grew up fishing off of the east coast, where he first got into professional fishing at nine years old primarily targeting flounder and fluke on a charter boat out of Montauk, New York. Since then, he's fished for Bluefin Tuna out of Cape Cod; chased sailfish, swordfish, dolphin, wahoo, and mackerels from West Palm Beach to Key West to the Bahamas; pursued blue marlin, striped marlin, shortbill spearfish, mahi-mahi, ono, and five different species of tuna out of Hawaii; and caught countless number of different species of bottom fish, including snappers and groupers. He also has an extensive tournament fishing background, and has won many prestigious tournaments in Florida, the Bahamas, and Hawaii.

Now, if you think that's a lot of fishing, let's not forget Alaska! Geoff has been fishing in Alaska for the past nine years, and will be working on a fourth season back with us at Baranof Excursions. Geoff started fishing our northern waters up in Cook Inlet and Anchor Point, down through Homer, and near Gustavus. In addition to ocean fishing, he's worked as a guide for fly-out trips, where he would take guests inland by floatplane to freshwater fish for sockeye and silver salmon. If his resume alone doesn't convince you, take it from us: Geoff is considered to be a very skilled fisherman by both our guests and his fellow guides, and his passion for fishing is hard to match. With all the different types of fishing under his belt, his style could be best described as eclectic; he's constantly trying out new techniques, and looking for ways to improve. If a technique that works in Hawaii works in Alaska, why not apply it?

If you get to come out fishing with Geoff, second to his obvious passion for fishing, you might notice his connection to his two children. Ten-year-old Grace and eight-year-old Gage are Geoff's personal deckhands, and they crew his boats in both the summer and the winter. You'll not often see the clear connection and intelligent teamwork on a fishing vessel that Geoff has with his kids with most adults. So if you happen to be enjoying your Alaskan fishing trip with your own kids, Geoff would be a great guide: it can be quite inspiring for other young children to see what's possible.

Once you've enjoyed your fishing excursion with Geoff here in Alaska, don't forget he's also available to you in the off-season in warmer water. He has his own charter fishing company in Maui, Hawaii, called Aloha Blue Charters, and would be happy to guide you, winter or summer.

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.

Jeff spent thirty years of his life in a career as a law enforcement officer. If you're lucky enough to get out on the water with him, you'll see his attention to detail from years on the police force translates directly to his skill as a fisherman. He embodies the word professionalism.

Like many a Ketchikan local, Jeff came to Southeast Alaska on a whim on a short contract, and then promptly fell in love with the community. During his first months in Ketchikan, he was continually awestruck by the incredible scenery, the varied fishing experiences available, and the multitude of wildlife he saw on a daily basis. (He even told friends back home it felt like he was living out an episode of a Nat Geo TV special). If you ask Jeff or his wife, Leslie, what attracted them to our quirky fishing town, they'll tell you it's the people through and through. They both grew up in small towns, and Ketchikan has a particularly strong sense of community: whether it's the shopkeeper at the local grocery store, the car mechanic fixing your flat tire, or the stranger you pass walking down the street, you'll find a welcoming demeanor and a friendly smile. Jeff has particularly enjoyed the camaraderie he's found with all his fellow guides who call Baranof Excursions home in the summer months.

Jeff got hooked on perch and walleye fishing as a young boy while spending the summers at his grandfathers cottage on the Put-in-Bay islands on Lake Erie's Central Basin. From the early 90’s to the present, Jeff has fished professionally on both inshore & offshore teams targeting grouper, snapper, wahoo, and dolphin in Florida, which gave him a knack for bottom fishing here in Alaska. The bottom fishing skills that Jeff honed in Florida are readily apparent in Alaska. Jeff is consistently one of our top producing guides for our fishing guests. When he's not working for Baranof Excursions, Jeff owns & operates a multi-faceted guided service in Florida since 1994, The Coastal Sportsmen. Jeff’s specializes in light-tackle saltwater fishing and trophy waterfowl and alligator hunts. If you enjoy your time in Ketchikan with Jeff, we encourage you to join him in Florida in the winter!

If you have children who are new to fishing, Jeff would be your guide! One of his favorite excursions is one where he gets to introduce a kid to the raw beauty of Southeast Alaska on their very first fishing adventure. Importantly, he doesn't ask the kids who go out with him to behave as adults; rather, he'll quickly be joining the kids in seeing the world from their perspective. And, as a true professional, he's versatile and adaptable. While you may find him wearing funny hats and joking around with the kids, we can assure you he'll also simultaneously bring in the catch with expertise and finesse.

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.

Fishing has always been a central feature in the life of Josh Hammond. Josh has angled for bass and catfish since the tender age of two years old, and has always had a natural passion for the outdoors. At eighteen years old, two days after graduating from Saguaro High School in Scottsdale, Arizona, he loaded up his fishing tackle and camping gear and headed north to Alaska. He hit every fishing hole and pond he could find on his way, bent on living the dream of getting paid to fish.

Nearly on arrival, Josh began his career as a commercial gillnetter. His working days were spent pulling king and sockeye salmon out of nets to pay his bills, and his time off with a rod and reel in his hands targeting trout, halibut, and salmon. During this time, his passion for fishing grew and he focused on a new dream: Josh wanted to operate a guided fishing and hunting service. Toward that end, he left after the commercial fishing season and returned home to pursue a pilot's license, so he might be able to fly and fish with his future guests.

After obtaining his private pilot's license and logging 18 flight hours towards his instrument rating, Josh was ready to get back on the ocean. (Flying is an expensive career to get into; in many cases, a required internship is a must to build enough experience to be marketable to companies in search of pilots. Josh's situation was no different than many aspiring aviators, so while he was drawn to the sea and fishing, he also required some extra funding to finish his training). Since then, Josh has worked on the east coast as a crewmember on the Sea Star III, hunting for flounder, striped bass, black seabass, and shark and in Maui, Hawaii as a charter boat captain, targeting pelagics like mahi-mahi, wahoo, yellowfin tuna, and Pacific blue marlin. Suffice it to say, Josh is a seasoned fisherman! (If you have a chance, ask him about the time he caught and released a Pacific blue marlin - this experience may have been one of the most defining moments of his life.)

During his off time-if you can keep up-you'll find Josh hunting or dirt biking. Josh describes himself as a man of God firstly, then, secondly, a fisherman, hunter, and outdoorsman. He loves being a charter captain partly because he loves fishing, but mostly because he loves sharing that passion with his clients.

For the last five years he has called Maui home, and continues to captain a charter boat out of Lahaina when he's not off pursuing other adventures. Josh looks forward to bringing his dream of running Alaskan bush plane wilderness fishing excursions someday, fishing out of Hawaii in the winters, and traveling in the shoulder months. In the interim, we're thrilled to have him join our fleet, and bring his own diverse experience and particular fishing passions to our crew.

Lukas has taken a path many men at the end of their lives wish they might have taken. As is often demanded by our society, Lukas went to school, excelled in college at the University of North Florida, and walked away with a degree in financial investments. Following the contemporary path of most young men striving to be successful in our capitalist society, he then joined Lincoln Financial and became a financial investment broker. This is where the story gets really interesting. To keep his sanity while working an office job, he got his hands on a fourteen-foot yellow pine tree and dug himself out a South Pacific-style outrigger canoe. Once this was finished, he knew it was time: so he quit his job, threw the canoe in the water and sailed 200 miles down the east coast of Florida. From here, the adventures haven't stopped.

At the juncture at which we met Lukas, he had already owned and operated a handyman business for two years; bought his own 20 acre farm where he buys and sells organic vegetables; and taken two open-water trips in his dugout canoe (one of 250 miles from Port Canaveral to Miami, and a second of 300 miles from Miami to Key West). Other than Lukas's absolutely burning desire for adventure, his life path has demonstrated his ability to follow-through with a passion once he's discovered it, and to take the necessary practical steps to get a job done.

When fishing with Lukas, you might notice his unique choice of fishing gear. He usually fishes with a two-hook set-up while bottom fishing, but instead of a circle hook and a j-hook, he uses what is called a kahle hook. (This hook is native to Florida and is a little off center, where the point of the hook does not line up perfectly with the shaft, preventing the loss of the fish). While Lukas is versed in jigging, mooching, and trolling for salmon, he's also one of our best guides for spotting wildlife. If there's an interest, he has his own areas on both the backside of Mary Island or in Nicholas passage where he can find whales, bring guests to harbor seal haul-outs, or track and attract bald eagles for viewing. And, when he's not working, you'll often find Lukas out on the water anyway with rod in hand, using his free time to keep up on all the latest hot-spot fishing holes.

In addition to all of these accomplishments, if you go out on the water with Lukas, one of his best traits is his extraordinarily good judgment in managing expectations. He has a practiced capability in dealing with dynamics of a group to ensure everyone's hopes for a trip are best met. The majority of a guide's job is balancing safety with the spirit of adventure while out in the water. Lukas has a talent for delivering an Alaskan experience to each and every occupant of the boat.

Matt grew up in Point Baker, Alaska. For those of you that are unfamiliar with Alaska, Point Baker is a remote community on Prince of Wales Island, about 100 nautical miles northwest of Ketchikan. If you think the town you grew up in was small, Point Baker currently claims fourteen year-round households and eighteen inhabitants. With its remote location and small size, self-reliance is essential, so it's probably no surprise that Matt embodies the words independent and capable. He is also in many ways the quintessential laid-back Alaskan: not much could happen either out on the water or in the woods of Alaska that would surprise him.

Matt is the kind of man that can tell which direction a tree is going to fall and be two steps ahead by the time it goes down, or anticipate how the storm will hit the shoreline, simply because he just seems to know. This is the kind of intuitive knowledge that comes from his very breeding-it's not even a question, he just feels it in his bones. Whether it's catching a fish or handling a boat, Matt has a familiarization and ease with the wilderness that makes each action seem like an art form.

While Matt has mostly lived in the "big city" of Ketchikan for nearly 15 years now, he and his fiancée, Kaylee, and their nine-month-old daughter, Shipley, recently returned to Point Baker to spend their winter closer to their family and the land. In summers, they reside on Ketchikan's Pennock Island, a one-mile by three-mile island just across the channel from Baranof Excursion's Thomas Basin location. (Like any good Alaskan, Shipley is learning the ways of the water from an early age: we're happy to see her joining her parents on her father's short commute to work during the season.)

Matt's preferred focus is bottom fishing, with a particular love for halibut, as they played a significant role in feeding his family growing up. As you can imagine, Matt's just as in tune with halibut as he is with any other part of Alaska's wild landscape; he has a particular knack for intuiting where they hide and getting them up from the bottom of the ocean. If you are lucky enough to get out on a boat with Matt, you will get a glimpse of both the gritty resilience and calm centeredness of a true Alaskan resident, which is, in itself, an authentic Alaskan experience.

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.

Nick is one of our Ketchikan-grown guides. Something we find particularly interesting about folks who are bred in Southeast Alaska is that often getting into fishing isn't something that has to be diligently pursued. Fishing is so much a part of our community that becoming an excellent fisherman sometimes just kind of . . . happens. While he spent most of his life next to the water, it wasn't until Nick started out working for Allen Marine as a deckhand when he was around 20 years old that he realized he wanted to be out on it, and so he began to pursue his captain's license. To get the appropriate sea time, he tendered on a geoduck dive boat out of Craig. (If you don't know about geoduck diving, some folks put it up there with Bering Sea Crab fishing for one of the most dangerous jobs on the planet!) From there, and as small towns go, he ran into the Slagle family at the right time in the right place and landed a position with Baranof Excursions. Nick is now joining us for his eigth year as a Baranof guide.

When it comes to fishing, Nick does not have a particular preference for specific gear. He's more than willing to try whatever works, which might even change from day-to-day, depending on the time of year. He especially likes fishing for halibut because he likes the hunt involved. While salmon can often be found in all different locations throughout our channels, the experience of tracking a prize halibut is something Nick feels takes a different kind of mindset and technique.

One of Nick's most outstanding characteristics as a guide is the openness and patience with which he approaches folks who are experiencing Southeast Alaskan fishing-or fishing, period!-for the first time. Nick particularly enjoys teaching people who've never fished, and takes great care in walking them through the entire experience from start to finish. Whether you're a kid out on the water for the first time fishing on a family vacation or a dreamer who's finally made it up to Alaska in pursuit of a life-long goal, Nick is happy to show you the ropes. We will be surprised if you leave your first fishing trip with Nick not feeling astronomically more confident and comfortable with all that Southeast Alaskan fishing has to offer!

During the off-season, Nick has worked for one of our local non-profits, Community Connections, in both Children's Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities. While he took a hiatus this past winter for a Hawaiian adventure with his girlfriend, Molly, Nick plans to continue to pursue his work in social services and education in future winters. When he's not fishing with Baranof, you might find Nick working his way through a good stack of books, hiking across our mountainous islands, or trying out a new salmon or halibut recipe.

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 army 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.

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.

Trent has been fishing just about since he could walk. He grew up trout fishing and fly-fishing with his dad in Colorado, and has always had a passion for it. Quite naturally, when Trent turned 21 years old, he moved out to Hawaii to work as first mate on deep sea fishing boats. He acquired his captain's license in 2007, and started living the seasonal life so many of our Baranof guides enjoy: fishing for marlin, mahi mahi, and tuna during winters in Hawaii and for King salmon and halibut during summers in Alaska. Trent's Alaskan guiding experience has been primarily up north in Cook Inlet near Homer, but over the last couple years he’s added Southeast Alaska to his guide resume, and we’re more than happy to include him as part of our Baranof crew!

When it comes to Alaskan fishing, salmon tend to be Trent's catch of choice, although halibut comes in as a close second. He's happy to mooch, troll, or jig, depending on what's happening out on the water that day, and typically he uses eagle claw hooks, off-set j-hooks, and herring plugs. Trent particularly likes utilizing lighter tackle during certain times - like switching out from the heavier halibut gear to jigs tipped with herring - to get what he calls a "more predatory bite."

Trent is also an avid hunter. He's been a hunting guide for elk and mule deer in Colorado, Canada, Mexico, and Hawaii, and utilizes both bow and rifle. When he's not occupied with his guide work, he likes to hang out with his girlfriend, Kaila, and their yellow Labrador, Ryder. As a skier and a scuba diver, he grew up skiing in Colorado and has scuba dived in Mexico, Hawaii, on the Great Barrier Reef, and in the Caribbean. Trent also loves cooking in his free time-and, even more, he loves cooking the foods he's caught, hunted, or harvested. So don't be afraid to ask Trent for his best tips on how to cook your fish! We're sure he'll happily oblige.

For Trent, one of his favorite experiences as a guide is the times he has a chance to bring someone out on the water who has never fished in Alaska. Not only does he love to get to know different people and to hear their stories, he genuinely enjoys having the opportunity to show someone new all that Alaska has to offer: bountiful fish, breathtaking landscape, and the spirit of adventure. For many people, catching that lunker King salmon or halibut is something they've dreamed about doing for years. When he gets to be the one to finally fulfill that fantasy, he's easily as excited as the clients themselves when they reel that prize fish in.