Our Captain & Crew

Meet Jeff Wedekind — Owner, Operator & Your Guide… and Your Captain.

Jeff Wedekind
Memberships and Credentials

  • Alaska Charter Association (ACA) Board Member
  • National Association of Charterboat Operators (NACO)
  • Ketchikan Chamber of Commerce
  • Ketchikan Visitors Bureau
  • USCG 100 Ton Masters Captain License
  • First Aid / CPR
  • 15+ 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.

Today Jeff, Nadra and McKinley are always searching for fish, adventure and awesome anglers. 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.

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

Now Hiring for the 2022 Season

Dock Action!

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 2021 Season!

Crew Legends