Our Captain

Meet Jeff Wedekind — Owner, Operator & Your Guide.

Memberships & Credentials:

Alaska Charter Association (ACA)
National Association of Charterboat Operators (NACO)
Ketchikan Chamber of Commerce
Ketchikan Visitors Bureau
USCG 100 Ton Masters Captain License
First Aid / CPR
10+ Years Experience as Licensed Sport Fishing Guide
30+ Years Experience Fishing in Southeast Alaska Waters
Bachelors Degree in Civil Engineering from Oregon Institute of Technology

Young Jeff Wedekind

As a young boy Jeff would leave his family home in Oregon to spend his summer vacations working in Alaska on his Uncles fishing boat. Here he learned all about fishing, hunting, fishing, boating, fishing…some more fishing and cleaning fish in Alaska’s great outdoors. As he grew older he ventured out to the Gulf of Alaska and the Bering Sea on halibut long liners and king crabbers for months at a time.

He attended Oregon Institute of Technology, returning to Alaska every year to pay for his college education by commercial fishing for salmon, halibut, black cod and king crab. Upon earning his B.S. degree in Civil Engineering, Jeff returned to Alaska and continued to fish commercially until landing his first “desk job” were he worked as a civil engineer and managed several projects in Southeast Alaska which included building roads, city infrastructure and marine docks.

Jeff enjoyed his engineering job, but missed being out on the ocean. So, he decided to develop the land he inherited from his grandfather and establish what has now become known as Chinook Shores — an Alaska fishing lodge for guided and self-guided anglers.

Captain Jeff at the Helm of the Pura Vida — always searching for fish, adventure and great employees.

We value our employees and know that our success depends on their commitment to Chinook Shores Lodge. Our hard-working and fun-loving culture embraces spirited team members with diverse backgrounds and experiences, and a passion for the great outdoors.

Nadra & Jeff enjoy a little September fishing.

McKinley demonstrates how to fillet a King Salmon (with a very dull knife)

This year, we are ecstatic about our Ketchikan team of power locals and one fine Oregon Institute of Technology student. (OIT is Jeff’s alma mater). Tanner (of OIT) and Kalib (of KTN) will join the ranks of Chinook Shores Lodge veterans McKinely (6 years), Samadhi (4 years) and Soren (3 years). Natasha and James, who started working for us in 2018, will be helping out even more this season. It’s a fantastic crew and we’re ready to serve you!

Meet Our 2019 Crew

McKinley, Samadhi, Cleo, Kalib & Tanner

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Soren demonstrates Fine Driving and High Diving

Do you have what it takes to join our crew? We are always accepting applications for hard-working employees who can multi-task and handle ever-changing shifts in an extremely dynamic environment. Submit your application online for consideration. Apply Now for the 2020 Season!