Alaska in early June is a time of transition. Snow melts off peaks, rivers rise with cold water and a group of students gather for the learning opportunity of a lifetime.
Origins of Guide Academy
The Bristol Bay Fly Fishing and Guide Academy prepares young adults for jobs in the sportfishing and tourism industries while inspiring them to become local leaders in salmon stewardship. 193 students have graduated from the program since it started in 2008.
The week-long course includes curriculum on fly fishing, customer service, local river ecology, conservation principles and more equipping students for an array of careers tied to the region’s healthy fish habitat. The tourism industry is rapidly growing in Bristol Bay, and local youth are uniquely positioned to guide visitors through the salmon-centric region they call home.
Fishing is part of the fabric of family life in Bristol Bay, and it is common for students to have over a decade of experience under their belts despite their young age. Commercial fishing provides a critical source of income to many, and almost all of the region’s residents rely on subsistence fishing as a primary food source. The Academy adds fly fishing to the students’ repertoire so they can pursue job opportunities in a thriving sector of their local economy.
Beginners luck
Even for the most seasoned fly anglers, a rainbow trout over 30” is a very big deal. So, when student Alex Maines hooked into his first rainbow ever, which ended up clocking in at a jaw-dropping 32”, there was a tremendous amount of excitement around camp.
Alex was guided by Triston Chaney, a graduate-turned-instructor of the Guide Academy and star of School of Fish, an award-winning short film sponsored by Trout Unlimited and Orvis. The film chronicles Triston and his family’s seasonal salmon rituals and their connection to the Bristol Bay Guide Academy. Alex’s trout turned out to be the biggest fish Triston had ever guided on that stretch of water, making it a milestone moment for both of them.
In the heart of the park
Kulik Lodge hosted the Guide Academy this year. Founded in the heart of Katmai National Park in 1950, Kulik is the oldest flyout lodge in Alaska. The cluster of beautifully crafted log cabins are perched next to the Kulik River, a two-mile-long waterway connecting Kulik Lake and Nonvianuk Lake. “During certain parts of the year, this river very may well have the highest number of trout per square foot of any river in North America” said Academy head instructor and veteran Bristol Bay fly fishing guide, Nanci Morris Lyon. It’s no wonder Kulik Lodge’s slogan is “An Angler Paradise.”
Fishing by bush plane
Bristol Bay is defined by its wild and remote character. Life here revolves around the natural world and its plentiful fish, bears, eagles, moose and other wildlife. The lack of manmade infrastructure makes it quite difficult to get around, however. That’s where bush planes come in. Students flew out to fish in De Haviland Beavers on floats, the rugged workhorses of the aviation world.
For several students eying flight school in the near future, these flyouts offered a glimpse into a future career. Whether transporting guests to remote lodges, delivering supplies or conducting aerial surveys for research, bush pilots play an essential role in the region’s economy. The Academy’s main goal is to expose students to a whole host of career options across the tourism sector – pilots, guides, hospitality staff, fisheries researchers, Federal agency staff. The list goes on.
Thanks to sponsors We’re grateful for our donors, volunteers and hosts who made the 2025 Guide Academy a success. A special thanks to Kulik Lodge for graciously hosting the Academy, and to the many organizations who support this program: Bristol Bay Heritage Land Trust, Bristol Bay Native Corporation, Trout Unlimited, Orvis, the Bristol Bay Economic Development Corporation, Alaska Department of Fish & Game, Yellow Dog Community and Conservation Foundation, Alaska Airlines, Bass Pro Shops, Renzetti Vices, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service through the Southwest Alaska Salmon Habitat Partnership, Alaska Fly Fisher’s Association, Mossy’s Fly Shop, Bear Trail Lodge, Branch River Air and Katmai Air.
