About Jimmie Jack's History - Alaska Fishing Lodges

The Jimmie Jack Story

Young Jimmie Jack with family in Alaska.

Hey, Jimmie Jack here! I own and operate Jimmie Jack’s ‘Original’ Alaska Fishing Lodge, and the Alaska SeaScape Lodge in Kenai, Alaska. We also run single Day Fishing Charters for all of our fishing trips because this is how we originally built the business; as a fishing guide service. I started with one boat and a passion for fishing the Kenai River in 1995. Currently, my award-winning team and I operate 2 lodges along with 14 river boats, and 4 saltwater boats on the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska. As our guest, you have the opportunity to fish 10 different Fishing Charters: Kasilof River sockeye salmon, and king salmon, Kenai River sockeye salmon and silver salmon, rainbow trout, pacific halibut, our Homer halibut combo, our Seward combo with lingcod, rockfish, and silver salmon, and Fly-in fishing trips.

Our family came to Alaska on vacation in 1982. Big Jim, Shirie, Jimmie Jack and Julie drove North to Alaska. Life could not have been better for me at 13 years old. We spent 2 months travelling and tent camping out of our van, and fishing Alaska in our 13 foot aluminum boat. This was the kind of trip that every boy would love. During our trip, we fished everywhere we possibly could. I had a travel journal, and I remember documenting every fish I caught, and every animal I saw on the trip. Life was good setting up camp, putting the boat and the fishing gear together at each campsite, and then fishing into the midnight sun.

Our trip was extremely fruitful as far as fishing goes. The history of Jimmie Jack Fishing had begun. In Alaska, you don’t have to know much to catch a few fish in the peak of a run. I learned how to troll for trout in Canada, jig for Dolly’s in Juneau, and rip sockeye on the Kenai. We were scheduled to stay a week on the Kenai River, but I would not leave. My parents left me in the tent near my grandparent’s trailer, and I was able to stretch our time out to 3 weeks on the majestic river.  If I was not fishing, I was sleeping. I had some local guy teach us how to catch the Sockeye. It seemed easy as myself, my sister, and my grandma limited out the first day.  Back then, it seemed as though we were the only ones fishing for the Sockeye, but today you will see everyone trying their technique along the bank when these “great tasting” fish flood the river in July.

The Kenai River back then was mostly a “drift” fishery. This technique is still seen today at the upper and lower bluff areas, and always at the famous Eagle Rock area.  We only had a 7.5 horsepower motor so we would shove off the bank at Porter’s, what today is called Riverquest, and just turn the boat sideways and start drifting. If we got to Eagle Rock without a fish, we would do that drift circuit until we did. One big king in the boat meant we had to head home because of our weight limit in that little boat. Seven and a half horses could barely get us back up river.

Many things have changed on the Kenai River since then. The river use to allow anything that floats. Today the river is regulated to allow only boats under 21 feet with motors of 50 horsepower or less. This is a far cry from the days when ocean dory’s and huge jet boats would race up and down the river. I have to say it is better nowadays because everyone moves at roughly the same pace, and there is less chance of a collision.

Our family went back home after our life-changing Alaska vacation and promptly moved up the next summer. This began our annual pilgrimage to the Kenai River each summer. We ended up meeting Mr. Cho, a Korean businessman who was clearing a spot for his new campground. He invited us in, and we moved a trailer into Riverbend Campground, and came for the fishing frenzy every summer. Every summer we would spend time fishing. I really could never think of anything else I wanted to do in the summer. Alaska offered so many fish that I had to make a schedule to conquer them all. We lived in Wasilla, and fished the rivers and lakes in the area, and then each summer spent time on the Kenai River and surrounding areas all day every day. Fishing in Alaska was a way of life for our family.

As time wore on, I found myself camped on the Kenai River in the summers between college semesters fishing away the hours. Friends, relatives, liked and unwanted both would pass through, and I took them all fishing. My parents joined me at times, and we fished, and fished, and fished. As a young man I would deckhand for commercial seiners and set-netters to help pay what my college scholarship would not cover. As I got closer to the age where I thought I might actually have to get a job, I pondered the thought, and did not like it much. Years as a pole vaulter had given me a great work ethic, but also a strong sense that life was meant to be a lot of fun. I have always loved boats and knew that God had it for me to make my living on the water.  So after commercial fishing, I chose to buy a sport fishing boat and make my way as a Kenai Rvier guide. This would at least look like a job, and keep my Grandparents from heckling. In 1995, I started my guide business with one boat.

When my dad, “Big Jim”, retired in 2000, I painted his personal boat red, and gave it a guide sticker. He joined me as a river guide, and that wrote our history. Dad and Mom would camp near me on The River, and our family created bonds through days on the water. Julie visited, and we all brought our friends and relatives. Great times!

So now the guiding has turned into a business, and the business had to buy a lodge to keep up with demand, and now I have what they call a career. It is great how God works with a dream and makes something of it. I have recently purchased another lodge, a 5-star property on the bluff of Cook Inlet where we now offer an all-inclusive package with fine dining. This compliments our top-notch boats and professional Captains very well. We have also just recently added our own boat launch property on the banks of the coveted lower Kenai River. Pinch me, I am living my dream! We now have 14 plus river boats, and 4 saltwater boats taking guests fishing daily in the summer.

Today, over forty years later, we are still on the Kenai River.  “Big Jim” has gone on to Heaven after 20 years as a Kenai River guide. Mom is still on site, and always available to fish. My hot Brazilian wife, Rosy, is taking care of our 3 boys. We are raising Billy Jack, Enzo, and Wesley on the Kenai River.

To me not much has changed other than our boats are a lot nicer, and the motors get us back up river faster. We all still hang out at the campfire and tell fishing stories like we did many years ago.  We still get visits from friends and relatives.  I have been truly blessed by the many great people that have come alongside me, and helped me operate the business since 1995. Most importantly, we still just love to fish The River, and spend time with each other.  God is good, and we are very thankful to spend our summers fishing the Kenai River and surrounding areas in big, beautiful Alaska!

Jimmie Jack

What Our Guests

Have To Say

“Professional, friendly and successful captains!”

“I’m glad we chose Jimmie Jack Fishing. The guides and staff made this an unforgettable experience and gave my son and I memories that will last a lifetime.”

“The 3 times we have been at JJF, Jimmie Jack has provided outstanding service, quality fishing, and made us feel more like a friend than a client.”

“I did not expect this year’s trip to be as good as last year’s trip. Last year was great. Boy, was I wrong! It was even better!”

“It was completely hassle free, and we had a fantastic time.”

“We came hungry and left with big fish. Boat was big and extremely comfortable ~ lots of room outside but also a great indoor area with protection from the elements.”