This was my second trip to Great Alaska Lodge and as always I had a fantastic time....
Our Team
Great Alaska International Adventure Vacations was founded 30 years ago by Laurence and Kent John, who listened to the beat of a slightly different drummer and strayed from the usual path. After a decade of creating and operating campgrounds on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington State and Vancouver Island, Canada, we were hit with the travel bug and traveled north to Alaska, and that was the the beginning of our love affair with combining sport fishing and adventure. During those early years we formulated several concepts that to this day are the guiding principals of how we serve our Adventure Traveler.
Once in Alaska, we discovered the incomparable Kenai Peninsula- a virtual microcosm of all that is the Greatland. Incredible wildlfe, scenic splendor and the world's most amazing sport fishing. In our travels there we met Kathy Haley..and Alaska native and the daughter of a famous Kenai Peninsula homesteader. The die was cast and Great Alaska Adventure Lodge was born.
In Alaska, you'll meet General Manager Toby Sprinkle, a veteran of 25 years of adventure travel and guided sport-fishing, including running a sport-fishing operation in Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula in the '80s and running the first descent of China's Yangtze river. Operations manager Andrew Holt wears many hats, including being a steelhead and Trout guide as well as handling all graphics and artwork along with heading up the sales team. Our office is run by Sean Heins, and you'll meet him upon your arrival. If you are fortunate enough to have bear-camp on your itinerary, you'll learn about the incredible animals from Caprice Stoner and Matt Vermililon, who are both in their third year sharing the meadow with the amazing animals.
Our Alaska sport fishing and safaris staff is the finest in the state, and we invite you to get to know them soon. Steve Fickes has been plying the Kenai with us for nearly 20 years, and Jeremy Eubank is in his 12th season guiding both freshwater and Saltwater trips. You'll also fish with our other excellent experience guides- Mark, Tom, Cullen, Ken, Nolan and Daren. The Safari team is run by guide extraordinaire s Johnny H, and our Kitchen is run again this season by Lisa Victoria.
Costa Rica's Jungle Tarpon Lodge
In Costa Rica, our lodge manager is Carlos Betancourt. Carlos was born and raised in a nearby village and cut his teeth on the fishing in the myriad surrounding rivers, lagoons and ocean. He has traveled to both our Alaska and Mexico properties extensively and understands exactly what Great Alaska travelers expect. He will ensure that the logistics of your trip are smooth, and his insight into life in the jungle and the history of the area's turtle population over happy hour are what make Jungle Tarpon Lodge special. Like our Mexico operation, all staff is from the local area, and we are proud to offer a sustainable source of income for the residents. There is simply no substitute for truly local knowledge, and with Carlos, you are in the hands of the very best.
Mexico's Holbox Fly Fishing Lodge
In Mexico, our lodge manager is Luciano Govi. Luciano is a world traveler who has made lovely Holbox Island his home. His unique blend of local charm and worldliness, along with his distinctly Italian sense of hospitality make your stay unforgettable. In addition to ensuring your trips success, Lucian will make you feel welcome and relaxed. We are fortunate to be working with Luciano, and our guests tell us time and time again how much they appreciate his local knowledge, his unique outlook on life and of course his fresh chesadillas and espresso over ice cream! All the fishing guides are locals who have been fishing these waters forever.
Wherever one travels, it is the people you are with that make the trip. We are fortunate to have been blessed with the finest staff that anyone could hope for, and our guests remind us of that fact time and time again. Please come and join us this year!
