Family owned & operated for four generations

Our family is the original owner of the lodge property, purchasing the land from the Federal Government in the 1940’s. My grandfather eventually inherited the cabin and brought me here on a summer vacation from Oregon in 1978 when I was 12 years old. After fishing with him in a 14′ Lund and staying in the cabin for a few weeks I was hooked for the rest of my life.

Jeff Wedekind

Corporate Bios

JEFFREY WEDEKIND CEO and Charter Fishing Guide Jeff Wedekind’s introduction to the Alaska fishing industry began in the late 70’s as a crew member on the F/V’s Crane and Westward. He later financed his way through college working on trollers, seiners, long-liners, tenders and crabbers from the Gulf of Alaska to the Bering Sea. Upon receiving a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Oregon Institute of Technology in 1989, he worked for engineering firms and construction companies where he managed high profile commercial construction and land development projects such as marine facilities, highways, rural roads and underground utilities. In 2005, Jeff founded Chinook Shores, Inc. in Ketchikan — a fishing lodge he built from the ground up. He is a member of the National Association of Charterboat Operators (NACO), Southeast Alaska Guides Organization (SEAGO) and currently serves as a board member on the Alaska Charter Association (ACA). Jeff actively maintains his United States Coast Guard (USCG) Master 100 Ton Captain’s License while offering guided and self-guided sport fishing opportunities to the guests at his lodge.

NADRA ANGERMAN VP of Sales, Marketing and Product Development Born and raised in Alaska, Nadra is passionate about emerging technology, natural resources, tourism and economic development. While a healthy, vibrant cruise industry is vital for Southeast Alaska, she believes it is crucial to balance that with the needs of independent travelers who stay longer at hotels and lodges, become life-long friends and truly enjoy supporting the local economy while visiting Ketchikan. With three decades of sales and marketing experience at local, regional and international levels, Nadra developed promotional campaigns for numerous industries. She worked extensively in public relations, corporate communications and advertising in the Lower 48 before returning to Alaska. Self-employed with a fierce entrepreneurial spirit, she enjoys her role at three companies: Chinook Shores, Inc., Apex Holdings, LLC and HES, LLC. Nadra has served on the Ketchikan Visitors Bureau Board of Directors and is a member of Greater Ketchikan Chamber of Commerce and Northwest Marine Trade Association. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Boise State University.

MCKINLEY ANGERMAN KELLOGG Environmental Scientist, Fisheries Biologist and Operations Manager Western Washington University graduate, McKinley Kellogg, earned her way through college filleting fish while working as lead seafood processor at Chinook Shores Lodge. As lodge operations manager she supervises a crew of seven dockhands who provide lodge guests, rental boat operators and non-resident anglers with excellent customer service. McKinley studies fishing activity in the waters of Knudson Cove and Clover Pass, monitors angler catch, and tracks fish count, size limits and poundage of all salmon species, halibut, rockfish and cod to ensure compliance with Alaska Department of Fish and Game annual sport fishing regulations. Passionate about marine environments, fisheries management, sustainable seafood and healthy oceans, McKinley provides written comments and testifies at Board of Fisheries meetings to advise policy makers on behalf of Alaska charter fisherman and local residents. McKinley is a member of American Fisheries Society, The International Ecotourism Society and the Alaska Charter Association. She spends the winter months visiting recreation areas, lobbying for industry or working as a fisheries and mammal observer. McKinley holds a Bachelor of Science in environmental science.

SOREN HEINECKE Facilities and Equipment Manager Soren Heinecke’s introduction to Alaska began in 2013 when he started working on long-liners, pot cod boats, tenders and crabbers throughout the Gulf and Bering Sea. In 2017 and 2018, Soren worked as a dockhand and Ketchikan sportfishing guide during the spring/summer, while commercial fishing and tugboating in the fall/winter. He later accepted career positions at Island Tug & Barge and Western Towboat as a chief engineer. In spring of 2020, Soren was contracted as a dock builder to construct a 220’ float dock for the Pier 25 marine facility and in 2023 he accepted the full-time facilities and equipment manager position at Chinook Shores Lodge. Soren’s certifications and credentials include the United States Coast Guard (USCG) Designated Duty Engineer (DDE) 4000 HP, USCG Operator Uninspected Passenger Vessels (OUPV) Six-Pack License, USCG 100 Ton Master Near Coastal, USCG 200 Ton Mate Near Coastal, USCG Steersman, FCC Marine Radio Operator, Commercial Assistance Towing, Basic Training, Advanced Firefighting and University of Alaska Southeast (UAS) Fast Rescue Boat training. Soren actively maintains his Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) for tourism and transportation opportunities throughout Southeast Alaska.