Owner and head guide Mark Glassmaker first came to Alaska fresh out of high school, in search of a summer job, adventure, and of course… great fishing! He found all of this and much more. Now some 27 years later he runs one of the most respected and well-established fish camps on the Kenai River. Mark is continually broadening his angling horizons to offer his customers the most varied and cost efficient Alaska Fishing Packages available.

One primary ingredient to Mark’s recipe for success is using only quality, professional, and courteous guides. Hand selected from the largest guide body in the state, Mark is very particular about who his customers fish with. An unpleasant skipper can easily overshadow even the best fishing, so we go out of our way to ensure you are very well taken care of on the water. Our guides enjoy what they do and are very proficient in their chosen profession.

From halibut fishing in Seward, Homer and Cook Inlet to Fly-Out fishing on the west side of Cook Inlet to salmon or trout fishing right here on the Kenai or Kasilof Rivers, we have the best guides to ensure your fishing day exceeds your expectations.

Below is a brief profile of the different guides we use so that you know what to expect when you arrive.

Name: Mark Glassmaker
Age: 46
Married: Yes
Children: Three
Education: BA Degree in Government/Journalism, Elementary Teaching Credential
Personal Interests: Photography, Computers, Carpentry, Moose and Deer Hunting and Steelhead Fishing
Fishing Expertise: Salmon Fishing on both the Kenai and Kasilof Rivers, Rainbow Trout Fishing the Kenai below Skilak Lake, Small Stream fishing on the southern Kenai Peninsula for Steelhead, Silver Salmon, Rainbow Trout and Dolly Varden, Fly-Out Fishing for Salmon and Bear Viewing on the West Side of Cook Inlet, the main Alaska Peninsula and Kodiak Island.
Years Guiding: 23
Background: Mark was born and raised in Northern Ca., and has been living full-time in Alaska since 1999. He is married and has three daughters. He grew up steelhead fishing the North Coast of California and his love for fishing rivers eventually lead him to Alaska where he built a home and lodge on the banks of the Kenai River. Mark loves his job and will always go the extra mile to make sure his customers are well taken care of, both on and off the water.

Mark has been a Board of Director for the Kenai River Professional Guide Association for many years and spends countless hours in the winter working the political arena to protect and foster a responsible guided fishing industry. He is also very active in protecting the entire Kenai River watershed and the fabled cold-water fisheries that it supports. Mark is also an accomplished journalist and photographer and a factory sponsored Pro-Guide for Lamiglas Fishing Rods, Luhr Jensen, Tuf Line and Gamakatzu Hooks. Additionally, Mark is a Kenai River Professional Guide Association recognized Master Guide, a former board member for the Kenai River Guide Academy and serves on the Kenai River Special Management Area Kenai River Guide Board. Finally, Mark is also the lodge owner representative for the Wolverine Creek Management Committee.

 

Name: Derek Gardner
Age: 37
Married: Yes
Children: Two
Education: Aviation mechanics
Personal Interests: Duck hunting, Turkey hunting, Big Game hunting, Steelhead Fishing, Photography, Adventure Travel
Fishing Expertise: Fly Out Guide- West Side Cook Inlet, Main Alaska Peninsula, Salmon Fishing on both the Kenai and Kasilof Rivers, Rainbow Trout Fishing the Kenai below Skilak Lake
Years Guiding: 6
Background: Derek first worked on the Kenai Peninsula some 18 years ago and is no stranger to Alaska Fishing. He grew up hunting and fishing the pacific northwest and now has decided to make Alaska his home in pursuit of his lifelong lure to be a guide. We look forward to his addition to our guiding family and we know you’ll be right at home with Derek on the water and in the duck blind as Derek plans to host duck hunts on the West Side of Cook Inlet this fall.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name: Koehl Halliday
Age: 27
Married: No
Children: No
Education: High School/College
Personal Interests:  All fishing, especially salmon and steelhead.
Fishing Expertise: Fly Outs – West Side Cook Inlet, Drift and Power Boat; Kenai and Kasilof Rivers
Years Guiding: 3
Background:  If you fished with us this past few summers you might have noticed a new face here at camp. His name is Koehl Halliday and he joined us in 2015.  He has extensive fishing knowledge from growing up fishing the many coastal rivers of the Pacific North west, primarily Washington and Oregon.  He is an expert float fisherman as well as an accomplished fly anger.  His good-hearted nature and tireless patience make him an outstanding fishing guide and all that fish with him are very complimentary of the experience.

Name: Zack Larsen
Age: 47
Married: Yes
Children: Yes, 2.
Education: High School/College
Personal Interests:  All fishing, especially salmon and steelhead, fisheries biology. Hunting.
Fishing Expertise:  Drift and Power Boat; Kenai and Kasilof Rivers
Years Guiding: 23
Background:  Zack is a Kenai veteran and we are lucked to have him for a short window in July and early August.  Zack is a fisheries biologist and he and his wife are raising their family on the Smith River in Northern California.  His vast knowledge and experience on the Kenai and Kasilof  is immediately apparent.