One primary ingredient to Mark’s recipe for success is using only high quality, professional, and courteous Kenai River fishing guides. Hand selected from the largest guide body in the state, Mark is very careful about with whom his customers fish. 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 Kenai river fishing guides enjoy what they do and are very proficient in their chosen profession.
Kenai River Fishing Guides
Below is a brief profile of the different guides we use so that you know what to expect when you arrive.
Mark Glassmaker
Nearing almost three decades of guiding on the Kenai and surrounding waters, Mark has been lucky enough to spend his life fishing. Now with three daughters and his awesome wife Cindy he juggles guiding, running the business with Cindy and enjoying his family and friends. Each passing summer seems to fly by faster than the the one before it and Mark appreciates each very special season he spends as a Kenai River fishing guide. Mark and Cindy also recognize having great guides representing you in the field is a huge factor toward the success of their company.
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.
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 is a past Board of Director for the Kenai River Professional Guide Association and spends many hours in the winter working to protect and foster a responsible guided fishing industry. He is also active in protecting the entire Kenai River watershed and the fabled cold-water fisheries that it supports. He created the Kenai River Spring Clean Up , an annual event that involves several hundred school kids cleaning up the river. Mark is also a journalist and photographer and a factory sponsored Pro-Guide for Lamiglas Fishing Rods, Rapala, Luhr Jensen, Tuf Line, Gamakatzu Hooks, Zilla Bait Cure and Seguar Fishing Line.
Scotty Daletas
Scotty Daleatas is an accomplished fly angler and former rafting guide with extensive experience on the Upper Kenai near Cooper Landing. Several seasons ago he decided to become a professional Kenai river fishing guide started guiding the lower and middle Kenai as well as the Kasilof and has not looked back since. His joy for teaching people how to catch fish shines through all he does and his hard work helps make each trip a huge success. We appreciate Scotty’s contribution to our team!
Koehl Halliday
Koehl is from Oregon and has extensive experience in the Pacific Northwest for both salmon and steelhead as well as experience guiding in Southeast Alaska for several seasons. He has been guiding on the Kenai and the Kasilof for multiple seasons now and he approaches each and every trip with a great desire to catch fish and have fun. His success rate is very tough to beat as his unique fishing talent paired with excellent instruction proves a very effective combination.
Fishing Expertise: Drift and Power Boat: Kenai and Kasilof Rivers: Salmon and Trout. Fly Outs: West Side Cook Inlet: Salmon, Situk River Salmon and Steelhead, Pacific Northwest Salmon and Steelhead.
Zack Larsen
Zack is a 25+ year veteran guide on the Kenai and we are lucky to have him on the team for a portion of each summer. With a family in Northern California and a job as a fisheries biologist his season is limited but he always jumps in ready to go like a true pro. Zack has extensive experience with the lower Kenai as well as the middle so he is greatly appreciated and keep plenty busy during the peak of the season. Zack’s professional but kind-hearted and fun guiding style make every day a great day on the river.
Fishing Expertise: Drift and Power Boat; Kenai and Kasilof Rivers Salmon and Trout.
Derek Gardner
Derek first began taking trips for us over a decade ago and still takes a good number of people for us annually. His extensive knowledge of the middle and lower Kenai makes his a valuable asset and Derek always provides the utmost professional experience each and every day. His easy going nature makes him very fun to fish with and you should expect lots of action as the fish love Derek too!
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
Jens Hansen
Jens began guiding in Northern California and in 2018 spent his first season guiding fly outs on the West Side of Cook Inlet. He excelled in everything he did and set the standard for being prepared and successful in almost any angling situation he encountered. He truly loved his job and that showed in all his guided trips. We look forward to seeing Jens progress to more fly out experience and also experience on both the Kenai and the Kasilof. Congratulations to an excellent season Jens Hansen!
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