Ever since my first visit in 2002, I have been impressed with the quality at Great...
The Team at Great Alaska International Adventures
Laurence John- Principal & Founder
Deb John accounting & I.T. manager
L.J. has been exploring his entire life. Born in rural Saskatchewan, Canada, he left in his teens for a full scholarship to play hockey for Denver University, then continued on to Los Angeles to work with Hughes aircraft in the late fifties and eventually Zerox after his semi-pro hockey career ended with "old school" knee surgery. His first taste of Alaska was a hunting trip in 1969 with his Zerox co workers, and "the Greatland" never left his mind. As they say, "once you go to Alaska, you never go all the way back". He spend the next 10 years developing recreational properties on the olympic peninsula, but Alaska never left his mind. In 1981 he traveled back to Alaska for more property development and that is where he met his parter, Kathy Haley- Alaska native and the daughter of a famous Kenai Peninsula homesteader. The die was cast and Great Alaska Adventure Lodge was born. Laurence's wife Deb is is partner in travel and has driven from Texas to Costa Rica, traveled the backcountry roads of the Yucatan peninsula and the even boated upriver in the darkest Amazon. Lake many of us, Deb wears a few hats, and is the Great Alaska book keeper and keeps us all on an even keel with accounting and networking matters.
Kathy Haley- Owner/customer service 
Kathy was raised at the current lodge site. Her father, a famous Alaskan homesteader, flew survey flights for the U.S. Army and once the homesteader act was created, no one was in a better position to pick the very best spot on the Kenai! It is from this location that Kathy grew up- eating wild moose and sheep, smoking salmon caught from the Kenai River, flying across Cook Inlet to dig for clams and set-netting off the mouth of the Anchor river. Kathy now lives with her husband John and is the spiritual center for Great Alaska. Along with working in the office during the summers and connecting with our guests, she is a specialist teacher for dyslexic children and adults, and shares her incredible faith with the local community through her local church. She also travels with her husband John to her "other family" in Waco, Texas every year.
Kent John 
- Fishing Operations/Internet Marketing mgr.
Kent travelled north to Alaska in his Senior year of high school to raise a little money for college at Washington Statue University. While processing sockeye salmon on the Nushagak River, he fell in love with the state. Following the long summer of fish processing, he spend a week on the Kenai with his father, and first fished the confluence of the Moose and Kenai rivers, where the lodge now sits. Kent has now guided the Kenai river since 1984, and has trained and managed the guide staff for 20 years. He multi-tasks by internet marketing and website presence for Great Alaska- and he's written most of the copy that you read on the website.
Toby Sprinkle - GM /Food and Beverage mgr.Toby is a a veteran of 25 years of adventure travel and guided sport-fishing. Toby began his guiding career in the late seventies on Washington's Olympic Peninsula rowing driftboats on the Sol Duc, Bogachiel and Calawah rivers, and eventually helped to run the first sport-fishing operation on Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula. Toby was also on the well documented team that attempted to successfully navigate the first descent of China's Yangtze river. Toby will be "hands on" when you arrive at the lodge and works with each and every group as they arrive and are oriented for their trip.
Andrew Holt - Operations/graphics Andrew wears many hats, (including his favorite- flyrod steelhead and Trout guide during the fall season and occasional deckhand on our offshore halibut fishing boats!) as well as handling all graphics and artwork for Great Alaska. He also an outstanding sales agents in the winter, so like all of our office staff, you'll speak with him both in the winter and summer. Andrew is one of the most versatile members of our team and in addition to his wide ranging talents in the office and in the field, is the lead guitarist for the lodge's staff band, "Sockeye".
Sean Heins - Office manager / Day trip sales
Sean runs our operational and you'll most likely meet him upon your arrival. Sean has been with us for a number of years and if you need any help with your travel logistics, he's the man for you. In addition to running the office, Sean schedules all bearcamp flights, hotel reservations in Anchorage and shuttle transfers from the lodge to Anchroage. His love of the area, combined with an encyclopedic knowledge of the state is a great resource. Sean is your go to man with all logistics of your trip to great Alaska and we are fortunate to have him.
Caprice Stoner - Bearcamp Mgr. If you are fortunate enough to have BearCamp on your itinerary, you'll learn about the incredible animals from Caprice Stoner who is in her fourth year sharing the meadow with the amazing animals. Matt stays at bearcamp all summer long and is one of the most experienced bear guides in Alaska. Caprice, in addition to guiding and Managing the BearCamp experience, runs many of our Kenai Peinsula and Denali Nationl Park safaris. They are both a great asset to Great Alaska Adventure Lodge.
Our Alaska sport fishing and safaris staff is the finest in the state, and we invite you to get to know them soon. Kent manages the sport fishing operation and works with Steve Fickes has been plying the Kenai with us for over 20 years, and Jeremy E. is in his 13th season guiding both freshwater and Saltwater trips. You'll also fish with our other excellent experienced guides- Mark, Daren, Don, Matt, Dale, Nick,
The Safari team is run by guide extraordinaire s Johnny Hawes, and our Kitchen is run again this season by the amazine Mike Walsh.
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!
