Kenai Sportfishing Guide Staff
Your Premier Guide Service For Alaska Fishing And Outdoor Adventure
Meet the Kenai Sportfishing Guide Staff! Our commitment to excellence is evident in every aspect of our service, ensuring that your time with us is not just a fishing trip, but a journey into the heartbeat of Alaska.
Our experienced guides are key to Kenai Sportfishing’s success. Each one has extensive expertise and deep knowledge of local rivers, including the Kenai and Kasilof. They’re more than guides; they’re guardians of a rich fishing tradition, passionate and ready to share their fishing enthusiasm. Their professionalism, politeness, and expertise stand out on every charter.
At Kenai Sportfishing, we value lasting relationships with both our customers and guides, treating them like family. We focus on hiring professionals who embody our commitment to sportsmanship, integrity, and environmental respect, unlike operations with seasonal guides. This approach ensures a quality experience for everyone involved.
Many of our guides are lifelong Alaskans, with families who have been fishing these waters and embracing the Alaska lifestyle for generations. They carry with them not just techniques and local secrets, but stories and traditions that enrich your fishing experience.
Join Kenai Sportfishing for a custom adventure, perfect for any skill level. Experience the excitement of fishing, Alaska’s serene wilderness, and the guidance of expert guides. Dive into the Kenai Peninsula’s waters for unforgettable memories.
Kenai & Kasilof River Fishing Guides - Meet Our Guide Staff
Captain John Padgett
Captain John Padgett’s journey to becoming a seasoned guide on the Kenai River is a tale of passion, adventure, and dedication to the art of fishing.
Beginning with a significant role at Cabela’s in Anchorage, Padgett’s expertise in fly casting deepened in Washington before his move to Alaska.
His adventures on the Kenai Peninsula and encounters with the mighty Kenai kings exemplify his commitment to guiding and exploring Alaska’s vast landscapes. From the Tustumena Glacier to international waters, Padgett’s experiences enrich Kenai Sportfishing’s offerings, promising unforgettable adventures.
To explore the full story of Captain John Padgett and plan your ultimate fishing trip, visit Kenai Sportfishing.
Captain Jim Voss
Meet Captain Jim Voss, a Kenai native whose path led from Alaska’s rugged landscapes to the global tech industry and back to Kenai River’s serene waters. His early love for Alaska’s nature was inspired by his father, an oil exploration geologist in Prudhoe Bay. Jim’s unique journey is as inspiring as his deep connection to Alaska’s wilderness.
Jim’s education took him from Kenai High School to Montana State University, earning bachelor’s and master’s in electrical engineering. He furthered his studies with an M.B.A. from the University of Maryland.
His career spanned across tech giants like Hewlett Packard and Schneider-Electric. At these and other companies, he gained international experience and holds more than a dozen patents in advanced technology fields.
However, Alaska’s call remained strong. In 2014, Jim returned to his Alaskan roots, transitioning from a high-tech career to guiding on the Kenai River since 2016.
His unique blend of technical expertise and deep connection to the Alaskan wilderness offers a distinctive guiding experience. Join Captain Jim Voss for an unforgettable journey on the Kenai River, where his rich life story and love for Alaska’s beauty shine in every guided adventure.
Captain Creig Garrett
Creig joined the Kenai Sportfishing guide staff in 2021, and he’s been fishing our waters since he was a kid.
Captain Creig Garrett, an Alaskan native from Kenai, has a deep-rooted passion for the outdoors, especially fishing and hunting. Growing up in a place known for incredible salmon migrations, he’s developed a particular fascination for King Salmon and Coho salmon fishing.
Creig’s entire childhood was spent living just two minutes from the Kenai River. He’s spent countless hours exploring the Kenai Peninsula, the Kenai River, and the Kasilof River, and has hunted and adventured all over Alaska with his dad, Captain Nick Garrett.
Out of high school, Creig originally went to college for firefighting and EMS and was a volunteer with Central Emergency Services based in Soldotna.
He recently moved to Austin, Texas, and then Georgia, where he’s pursuing a career in nursing. He’s always enjoyed helping people through acts of service.
As a guide, Creig shares his love for Alaska’s natural beauty and the excitement of fishing, promising an unforgettable experience for those visiting.
Captain Klein Muse
Klein joined the Kenai Sportfishing guide staff in 2022 but has spent his whole life fishing the water of the Kenai Peninsula. He as a rich background in fishing and hunting, deeply rooted in his Texan upbringing.
Klein was born and raised in Lampasas, Texas, but summers in Alaska have been a part of his life since childhood as his family has owned a house in Kenai since before he was born. His early experiences in Alaska ignited a passion for salmon fishing.
He has fished all over Alaska and the Kenai Peninsula. In the wintertime, when he is not in Alaska, Klein is working on his bachelor’s degree in environmental studies at Tarleton State.
Klein’s academic pursuits at Tarleton State University in environmental studies complement his practical fishing skills, making his guided trips both educational and immersive.
His love for hunting, spanning doves to waterfowl, reflects his commitment to conservation and the outdoors
Captain Rob Ort
Rob’s journey into fishing began in Southeast Michigan and expanded during his studies at Northern Michigan University.
After earning a degree in Fisheries and Wildlife Management, Rob’s passion led him to Alaska. Rob and his wife permanently settled in Alaska after their honeymoon on the Kenai Peninsula.
After graduating, Rob worked for several different companies in various roles surrounding his environmental sciences background. Eventually he eventually moved to Alaska in 2021.
Rob has an extensive background in Environmental science. He worked for sevearl years as an environmental scientist and as a fishery biologist for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Rob’s efforts have contributed significantly to the conservation of Kenai River’s King Salmon.
His experiences have deeply enriched his guiding skills on the Kenai and Kasilof rivers. He is particularly passionate about salmon and trophy trout fishing. His deep understanding of the Kenai River’s ecosystem makes him an exceptional guide, especially for king salmon and trophy trout fishing.
In the wintertime and offseason Rob is an avid hunter. He and his wife are year round residents of Alaska and live on the Kenai Peninsula.
Rob and his wife are year round residents of Alaska.
Captain Bristol
Bristol has deep Alaskan roots and a rich fishing heritage.
Raised in Kenai Peninsula and Palmer, she’s experienced in commercial fishing. Her family has been running commercial sockeye salmon set nets for several generations.
Bristol is one of the few guide staff that divides her time between our river operations both on the River and in Homer. In the early summer , you’ll find her on our halibut boats working in Homer. Then, as July approaches she transitions to the Kenai River and Kasilof River.
Bristol’s vast knowledge of local fishing areas and seasonal patterns makes her an adept guide.
Beyond fishing, Bristol’s passion takes her to the great Alaska outdoors for hiking, camping, cross country skiing and more. She is particularly fond of snowboarding at Alyeska Ski Resort during winter.
In the winter off-season, she works as a barista, emphasizing her people skills.
Bristol is committed to enhancing guests’ fishing experiences on the Kenai River and in Homer.
Bristol is an integral part of the Kenai Sportfishing Guide Staff.