About Us
The story behind Chinook Shores Lodge and our commitment to providing the best Alaska fishing vacations
SOME INSIGHTS
Our Story
Our family is the original owner of the lodge property, purchasing the land from the Federal Government in the 1940s. Back then there was just a cabin with an outhouse perched on a steep forested hill overlooking the water. 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 with him in the cabin for a few weeks I was hooked for the rest of my life.
I came back to Ketchikan to fish every year after that and haven’t missed a summer yet. I started working on my cousin’s (Snapper Carson) salmon tender when I was 13 and eventually found jobs on salmon seiners, halibut long liners, and Bering Sea king crabbers.
I have traveled the Alaskan coast line from the Canadian border through Southeast Alaska’s Inside Passage, across the Gulf of Alaska, along the Aleutian Chain and into the Bering Sea. But I have always come back to Ketchikan and have always thought of it as home, and when you are visiting I hope you will too.
I built a home here in 1989 and visiting friends and family would all comment “Wow, you should really build a fishing lodge here.” Since then we have developed the land as time and money would allow. Chinook Shores was incorporated in 2005 and the waterfront cabins and dock were built in 2005-2006 after years of planning and saving. I was fortunate enough to grow up in a family of carpenters and fishermen so building the lodge came natural. It was designed and built for fishermen by fishermen.
Our commitment to our guests is to provide the best accommodations, fishing boats and facilities in the industry and to surround them with friendly knowledgeable staff and fishing guides. Here you will find everything you need to make your Alaska fishing trip an experience of a lifetime. Whether you prefer salmon or halibut fishing, or bottom fishing for rockfish and cod, we have it all – same day, same place, same time. Thank you for choosing Chinook Shores for your next vacation,
Jeff Wedekind
MANAGERS
Who We Are
Jeffrey Wedekind
CEO & Charter Fishing Guide
Jeff’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 worked his way through college on trollers, seiners, long-liners, tenders and crabbers from the Gulf of Alaska to the Bering Sea. Upon receiving a B.S 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 — 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 on the board of 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
Sales & Marketing
Born and raised in Alaska, Nadra Angerman is passionate about emerging technology, natural resources, economic development and tourism. She combines three decades of sales and marketing experience with her entrepreneurial spirit, to foster local economic development in Ketchikan. Nadra believes in the importance of establishing a healthy independent tourism industry while balancing the needs of Southeast Alaska’s thriving cruise industry. By promoting longer stays at hotels and fishing lodges, she fosters lasting friendships among guests and local economies. Nadra’s entrepreneurial spirit shines through her work. Her contributions to the Greater Ketchikan Chamber of Commerce and Northwest Marine Trade Association, as well as her previous role on the Ketchikan Visitors Bureau Board of Directors, reflect her unwavering commitment to stakeholders’ needs. Nadra holds a bachelor’s degree from Boise State University.
McKinley Kellogg
Operations Manager
Western Washington University graduate, McKinley Kellogg initially paid her way through college filleting fish, but her role at Chinook Shores Lodge has since evolved into a comprehensive leadership position. As a key operational lead, McKinley now manages logistics across every department, overseeing everything from transportation and housekeeping to hiring and fish processing. Additionally, she manages the lodge’s social media presence, bridging the gap between field operations and digital outreach. Passionate about fisheries management, sustainable seafood and healthy oceans, McKinley spent time working as a fisheries observer for the opilio (snow crab) fishery in the Bering Sea. In 2023, she traveled to Kodiak, AK, to attend the North Pacific Marine Resources Education Program (MREP) for industry stakeholders impacted by federal fisheries management decisions. In the off-season she provides written comments and testifies at Board of Fisheries meetings to advise policy makers on behalf of Alaska charter fishermen and local residents. McKinley holds a B.S. in Environmental Science.
Soren Heinecke
Marina & Fleet 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. He later transitioned to working on tug-boats for Island Tug and Barge and Western Towboat Co based in Seattle. He holds dual licenses, 1600 ton mate/100 ton master with mate of tow endorsement, and Designated Duty Engineer (DDE) 4000 HP. In the off-season Soren contracts as Chief Engineer and Mate of Tow around Southeast AK and Seattle. Soren’s certifications and credentials include the United States Coast Guard (USCG) Designated Duty Engineer (DDE) 4000 HP, USCG 100 Ton Master Near Coastal, USCG 1600 Ton Mate Near Coastal, Mate (Pilot) of Towing Vessels, FCC Marine Radio Operator, Commercial Assistance Towing, BST, Advanced Firefighting, Radar Observer Unlimited, ECDIS, 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.
SOME INSIGHTS
Captain & Crew
Meet Jeff Wedekind: Owner, Operator, Captain & Your Guide
As a young boy Jeff would leave his family home in Oregon to spend his summer vacations working in Alaska on his Uncle Snapper’s fishing boat. Here he learned all about fishing, hunting, fishing, boating, fishing… some more fishing and cleaning fish in Alaska’s great outdoors. After graduating from OIT with a B.S in Civil Engineering, Jeff returned to Alaska and continued to fish commercially for everything from salmon in Southeast Alaska to king crab in the Bering Sea until landing his first “desk job” Jeff enjoyed his engineering job, but missed being out on the ocean. So, he developed the land he inherited from his grandfather and established Chinook Shores — an Alaska fishing lodge for guided and self-guided anglers.Whether you are looking for an action packed salmon fishing trip, a deep sea halibut and rockfish trip, a relaxing sightseeing and whale watching trip, or some combination, Jeff's your guy!
Memberships & 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
- 20 + Years Experience as Licensed Sport Fishing Guide
- 40+ Years Experience Fishing in Southeast Alaska Waters
Our Contractors:
At Chinook Shores Lodge, we pride ourselves on delivering exceptional service, made possible by the support of numerous local businesses, contractors and subcontractors who work tirelessly behind the scenes. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to these skilled professionals for their commitment and expertise, which help us maintain the high standards you expect at our lodge. Thank you for choosing Chinook Shores Lodge, and in doing so supporting many other local businesses in Ketchikan.
Advanced Communications, Aero Services, AK Car Rental, Alaskan and Proud Markets, Alaska Liquor North, All American Auto, Arrowhead LP Gas, Bay Company, Bernie’s, Budget Car Rental, Cape Fox, Channel Electric, Designs by Asha, Fish from Trish, First City Electric, Heavenly Creations, Julie’s Fine Jewelry & Gifts, Ketchikan Candle Company, Ketchikan H2O, Ketchikan Public Utilities, Madison Lumber & Hardware, Magnum Enterprises, Milner, Howard, Palmer & Edwards, CPAS, Lighthouse Grocery & Liquor, Local Grounds, North Landscaping, Northern Sales, Pacific Pride, Petro Marine, Pool Engineering, R&M Engineering, Sanders Business Solutions, Scanlon Gallery & Custom Framing, Schmolk Mechanical, S.E Plumbing, Shaub-Ellison Tire, Simply Bella, Steelhead Electric, Green Coffee Bean, Tongass Furniture, Tongass Marine, Tongass Trading, TSS Safety, Tyler Rental, Variety Painting & Roofing.
