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About Us |
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The principal guides are of the second
and third generation fishermen. They all
have grown up on these rivers.
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Ken and Althea Hughes have been in
Alaska now for over 50 years. In
the fall of 1959, Grandpa and Grandma
Hughes settled in the Copper River
Valley near the Gulkana River. They
taught school for a few years before
building and running a hotel and
restaurant on the Gakona Junction.
Grandpa Hughes had 2 sons and 1
daughter, Kenny,
Randy, and Robin, grew up with the Gulkana
River as a playground. Kenny is
presently the mayor of Teller, a small
village close to Nome (the finishing
point of the famous 1000 mile Iditarod
dogsled race.) Robin lives in North
Carolina has a large family of Girls! Grandma Hughes
enjoys writing and putting her stories
down or paper. She is known for
telling the truth, no sugar coating...
not ever!
Grandma's Story
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 Randy,
graduated from the University of Alaska
in Fairbanks with degrees in Biology and
Education. He worked seven summers with
the Department of Fish and Game as a
fisheries technician in the Copper River
Valley. "Dad's" responsibilities included
counting salmon runs, taking scale
samples, issuing permits, and working at
one of the world's largest Red Salmon
hatcheries at the head of the Gulkana
River. During the hatchery years Dad and
Mom (Kristi) had 2 sons, Joshua and
Daniel. A few years later the
Girls showed up! Krystal, Rebecca,
and Randi Rae. In 1999 and 2000
Kristi and Randy adopted two boys,
Kristian, and Elijah. Randy
has been the Dad, Teacher, and the "Leader of
the Pack" |
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Randy, being "Dad,"
taught the boys all the basics of
fishing, allowing them to develop their
unique and personal touch. As a guest,
one can expect to learn the same basics
from the Hughes family (and still be
left to find your own groove.)
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Fishing has always been the FAMILY
activity. In the summers life was
fishing, and this fit in well with Dad's
occupation as a teacher during the
winter months. |
Josh and Daniel got their starts as
soon as they were big enough to handle a
rod and reel. Josh took a little
convincing, however. Upon hooking his
first salmon and feeling how hard it
pulled, he threw down his rod and ran
the other way. A lot has changed since
then, and Josh is now one of the
dominant fish slayers on the entire
river. In 1999 he won the Gulkana River
King Salmon Derby for the heaviest fish.
Since Summer in Alaska doesn't get dark
at night, Josh found himself fishing
around the clock. Guiding during
the daytime hours and fishing for the
Derby at night. Sleep ... what Sleep?
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Josh
started guiding guests to primo fishing
when he was 14
years
old. Liking the
attention of tourists. Being the
itinerant entrepreneur, Josh came to the
river prepared with pockets full of
home-tied flies going for $1.00 each.
As
he got older Josh gained more experience
fishing with other guides on the
rivers.
Josh now Owns and Manages KingFisher's Perch
with his Wife Jaime.
Like in Joshes family growing up fishing
has become the family pass time and now
profession! The kids always have
to get in on the action as
well. Esther Grace
Hughes
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Jaime
& Caleb with one of his first kings!
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Shrimping with Grandpa in Prince
William Sound (Valdez) |
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Daniel
Hughes
Daniel is the strong, silent type.
He perfected his skills for personal
satisfaction. Dan prides himself in the
uncanny ability to catch the first King
Salmon on any given trip, any given day.
Daniel, more than anyone, understands
those fishermen who like to get away
from the crowds. He is also one of our
expert Thunderjet drivers. The
Klutina is unforgiving, and has no
mistakes allowed!
Check out one of
Daniels great days of fishing on the Gulkana River.
Dan's Story
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Our other REAL Alaskan Guides
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 Captain
Christian Steiger
Saltwater Captain
Chris is one of the hardest working
guides I have ever had the privilege to
work with. Chris really cares
about the client and knows where the
deep sea fish stay!
Christian and Joshua have been running
together since the early years of
nothing but a flat bottom skiff and a 40
horse motor that sometimes ran.
Much of KingFisher's Saltwater business
depends on this guy! |
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 Matt
Podobinski
Matt is a
expert oars man! Spending much of his
life on raging whitewater rivers.
Matt spends his winters in South
American rivers and his summers pounding
Kings with us! His light and outgoing
character is always entertaining, make
the best of days even better. |
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.JPG) Spencer
Minnon
There are
3 basic factors that make Spencer a
great guide. They are, a love
(obsession) for fishing, ability to
connect with people, and experience.
Spencer will fish longer, and out catch
even the best of the best. His
first King ever was caught on the 4th
cast!Ever since then he has
been hooked. Producing more fish
than anyone could believe!
"What more
could you ask for in an Alaskan
Adventure" |
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 Joe
Marshall
Joe and his family
moved to Alaska 8 years ago, and Joe
instantly was driven to catch these King
Salmon. Now at the age of 19 Joe
has worked as a assistant guide with KingFisher's Perch for
4 years.
Learning everything he needs to know for
being a Top Quality guide! Joe has
been promoted to HEAD GUIDE! This
guy knows where and how! |
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Troy Dolge
Troy is a Local Copper River resident! In the
9 years he has worked
with KFP he has brought lots of
improvement. His strive for perfection
is unmatched. Troy and Josh have
partnered up on many adventures across
Alaska.
From moose and bear
hunting, to just plain floating the
rivers as soon as the ice is out.
Consider yourself lucky if you get to
fish with Troy. |
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