Captain Rob Ort
Kenai River Fishing Guide
Fishing Enthusiast Extraordinaire
Hi there! I’m Captain Rob, originally from Brighton, Michigan, and that’s where my love for fishing really took off. Growing up, I spent a ton of time fishing with my grandfather in Southeast Michigan, chasing after warm water species and just soaking up those childhood memories.
Discovering a New Passion – Steelhead, Salmon & Trout
My fishing world really expanded when I started studying at Northern Michigan University, up in the Upper Peninsula. Those four years were amazing – I was either out in the woods or on the water pretty much all the time. That’s where I got hooked on Steelhead, Salmon, and Brown Trout fishing in the Lake Superior tributaries. There was something about the challenge of catching those elusive silver bullets in the backwoods that just captivated me.
Academic Journey & Moving to Alaska
After wrapping up his bachelor’s degree in Fisheries and Wildlife Management, Captain Rob headed back to Southeast Michigan with his soon-to-be wife, Ashley. They tied the knot in 2021 and chose the Kenai Peninsula for their honeymoon!
They spent our days waist-deep in the Kenai River, chasing silvers, and exploring the mountains. But when they got back to Michigan, it hit home – they decided they needed to move to Alaska. So, they sold their house, packed up their things, and made the big move the following summer.
Ashley got a job at Kenai High School, and Rob dove into learning everything about the local fishery. Since then, Captain Rob has dedicated every summer to the salmon and trophy trout fishing on the Kenai and Kasilof rivers.
A Passion for Hunting and Conservation
Fishing isn’t my only outdoor passion – I’m also super into hunting, dedicating just as much time to the woods as to the water. I’m all about pursuing all kinds of game, but waterfowl hunting? That’s my jam, just as much as fishing.
After college, my first job was as an Environmental Scientist, working mostly on Natural Resource protection projects. I loved it, but Alaska kept calling my name.
Before I turned to guiding, I worked as a Fishery Biologist for the Alaska Department. of Fish and Game, where I was part of the team leading the Kenai River King Salmon Counting crew.
The King Salmon populations on the Kenai River have been facing significant distress in recent years, showing concerning declines that highlight the delicate balance of this ecosystem. Being a part of monitoring these populations was an incredibly rewarding job, offering a unique opportunity to contribute to the conservation efforts and better understand the challenges facing these vital fish species.