|
About Us |
|
The principal guides are of the second
and third generation fishermen. They all
have grown up on these rivers.
|
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
|
|
|
 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" |
|
|
|
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.)
|
|
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?
|
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 |
|
|
 |
|
Jaime
& Caleb with one of his first kings!
|
|
|
|
Shrimping with Grandpa in Prince
William Sound (Valdez) |
|
|
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
Congratulations to Daniel and Leslie!
New Mom and Dad with a beautiful baby
girl, Grace Adeline
|
|
|
|
Rebecca Lou
Hughes
Rebecca at the age of 
19 knows more about King Salmon
Fishing than most Alaskan
Residents. She holds the
highest requests record.
Holding herself as one of our
best guides! She
can oar the raft, bait hooks,
tie rigs, net fish, and give
instruction on what to do and
when to do it.
(Best female guide in the
state!)
See more pictures of Rebecca.
Click here!
|
 |
|
|
Randi Rae Hughes
16yrs
Making sure she is a part of everything.
One thing is for sure... she can catch
salmon!
|
|
|
|
Our other REAL Alaskan Guides
|
|
|
|
|
 Joe
Marshall
Joe and his family
moved to Alaska 5 years ago, and Joe
instantly was driven to catch these King
Salmon. Now at the age of 17 Joe
has worked as a assistant guide with
KingFisher's Perch for 3 years.
Learning everything he needs to know for
being a Top Quality guide! Only
one more year of Assistant guiding
before He will take on his own boat and
probably receive more requests than
Rebecca! |
|
|
Troy Dolge
Troy has lived in the Copper River
Valley for 6 years. Troy is a EMT II and
runs the EMS program in the Copper River
Valley. In the 6 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. |
|
|
 Jared
Wingfield
There are
3 basic factors that make Jared a great
guide. They are, a love (obsession) for
fishing, ability to connect with people,
and experience. Jared grew up on
the Salmon River down in Idaho, and has
fished and hunted there all of his life.
Jared started going to Alaska the summer
of his eighth grade year. He
returned with his dad every year after
that. Jared is no stranger to big
water. He started “unofficially”
guiding on the Gulkana when he was 15.
Jared's favorite river is the Klutina,
because of the big fish, the fast pace,
and you always have to be on your toes
when rowing it!
"What more
could you ask for in an Alaskan
Adventure" |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
