The Absolute Best Professional Kenai River Guides

We don’t find our fishing guides by advertising or in the want ads, we simply go to our waiting list. In the past 35 years, we’ve developed a reputation as an exceptional lodge for guides to work. We treat our guides very well and expect they do the same for our clients. As you might expect for a family-run operation like ours, we don’t experience the year to year turnover and burnout most other places do. As you’ll notice in the descriptions below, most of our guides have been working with us for a long time.

Joe Connors - Owner

PROFESSIONAL GUIDE SINCE: 1972
YEARS FISHING: Lost Count
FAVORITE FISHERY: Kenai River
HOMETOWN: Sterling, Alaska

Joe Connors has more experience and knowledge surrounding the Kenai River than just about anyone.

More about Joe C.

His deep commitment to the river’s preservation has led him to create and serve on numerous influential boards and committees, including the Fish & Game Advisory Committees, Kenai River Professional Guide Association, Kenai College Guide Advisory Board, Kenai Peninsula Tourism and Marketing Council, Kenai River Special Management Area Advisory Board, and the Kenai River Sportfishing Association. Joe’s leadership and vision have played a pivotal role in protecting and enhancing the Kenai River’s fisheries for future generations.

In 1972, Joe purchased the riverfront property and later built the Big Sky Lodge in 1984. A retired Professor Emeritus from the University of Alaska Anchorage, he taught a wide range of courses since the university’s inception. Watching his family carry on what he started at Big Sky brings him the greatest satisfaction, knowing that his legacy and vision for the Kenai River continue to thrive.

Adam Reid

PROFESSIONAL GUIDE SINCE: 1999
YEARS FISHING: 41+
FAVORITE FISHERY: Kenai Peninsula, Cook Inlet
HOMETOWN: Anchorage, Alaska

I moved to Alaska in 1997 and immediately knew I had found my home.

More about Adam

That same summer, I started working at Big Sky Charter and Fishcamp and fell in love with the Kenai River and the incredible fishing opportunities it offers. After a couple of summers apprenticing under owner Joe Connors, I became a guide in 1999 and have been part of the Big Sky family ever since.

The Kenai and the surrounding areas provide an amazing variety of fishing experiences. Whether it’s a relaxing day of trout fishing, chasing the big kings, filling the freezer with sockeye, battling the hard-fighting silvers, or enjoying the action-packed pink salmon run, we have it all. And now, with the recent addition of my 28' saltwater boat, the "Reel Quick," Big Sky offers even more opportunities to fish in Homer and Seward, expanding our options to ocean fishing and the bounty of Alaskan waters.

I take pride in tailoring each trip to match the desires of our fishermen, and I look forward to helping you catch the fish of your dreams!

Ryan Thompkins

PROFESSIONAL GUIDE SINCE: 2004
YEARS FISHING: 36 Years+
FAVORITE FISHERY: Anywhere I can wet a line!
HOMETOWN: Clatskanie, OR

As a 20-plus year veteran of the Kenai, I feel that Big Sky offers a unique Alaskan vacation.

More about Ryan

Big Sky tailors to families and friends alike and offers the “full Alaskan experience” on an affordable budget. Big Sky’s family-atmosphere and flexible scheduling allows clients to operate at their own pace and leisure while interacting with a world-class salmon fishery. My wife and three kids have grown up spending their summers at Big Sky with me. In the off-season, I’m a high school Athletic Director/Dean of Students in Clatskanie, OR. While living in Oregon, I spend much of my time catching salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, crab and trout… but these fish pale in comparison to those caught on the great Kenai River.

Ella Brennan

BIG SKY CHARTER: Manager and Camp Host
FISHCAMP TENURE: 9 years
HOMETOWN: Lake Oswego, OR

Ella Brennan is third generation family member, granddaughter to Joe Connors owner of Big Sky Charter and Fishcamp.

More about Ella

Ella has spent the last 12 summers managing and keeping Big Sky organized throughout the fishing seasons and is now running and living at the lodge full time. Along with being the camp host, she is the daily cook for the staff, assists clients with scheduling additional activities, fillets and packages fish, and accommodates our guests with their needs and requests. Ella is proud to be a part of the Big Sky Charter and Fishcamp family run fishing lodge and looks forward to honoring her grandfather’s dream of keeping the lodge in the family! She enjoys being an artist, music, good food, gardening, and the simple things in life. “A fresh baked plate of chocolate cookies awaits incoming guests,” thanks Ella!!

Joe Brennan

PROFESSIONAL FLY FISHING GUIDE - 16 years
YEARS FISHING: 50
FAVORITE FISHERY: BC Steelhead Streams
HOMETOWN: West Linn, OR

Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, there was fishing rod permanently grasped in my hand since I could walk.

More about Joe B.

Fly fishing was my first passion. I was lured to the Pacific Northwest as a young adult and introduced to steelhead and salmon angling. I spent several years working in Northwest fly shops honing my skills, teaching and guiding. I was hooked, especially swinging flies for steelhead. I also enjoy saltwater adventures where not knowing what might attack the lure next is one of the greatest thrills.

Thankfully, I’m able to support my family doing what I enjoy most… working in the outdoor industry. As a decades-long team member of the most prominent outdoor trade show production company in the U.S., I’ve been able to work with countless fishing guides, lodges, tackle manufacturers and so many other great people. This experience provides a broad knowledge for understanding how to share my passion with others.

As the son-in-law to Joe Connors, owner of Big Sky Charter and Fishcamp, I’m very excited to spend summers with the family and guests guiding and working at the lodge. I look forward to sharing the Alaska experience with you.

“Come on Fish!”

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The Absolute Best Professional Kenai River Guides

Joe Connors - Owner

Adam Reid

Ryan Thompkins

Ella Brennan

Joe Brennan

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