Jon grew up in the Piedmont region of North Carolina, fishing for bass and warm-water species until he was introduced to fly fishing by a fifth-grade teacher. He immediately fell in love with the sport, fishing for everything from trout to tarpon and constantly searching for the next new adventure.
As an avid outdoorsman passionate about wildlife conservation, Jon enjoys every aspect of guiding fishermen, new and old. He attended Appalachian State University in North Carolina and obtained a B.S. in Sustainable Development and Biology. When he isn’t fishing the Kenai, you can find Jon working on the boats, tying flies, or planning his next fishing destination for the off-season.
Jon has been guiding at Drifters since 2015. When he’s not in Alaska, he owns and operates a light tackle and fly fishing charter at Cape Lookout, North Carolina. He holds a U.S. Coast Guard Masters License. Jon has the experience to put you on any Alaskan fish you would like to target, from mighty King salmon to the Kenai’s famous rainbow trout!
Introducing Kail, our legendary guide at Drifters Lodge since 2019! Before he became the fishing master we know and love, Kail spent eight epic years as a deckhand on sport fishing vessels out of San Diego. He’s so dedicated to putting clients on fish that he once plunged into the water fully clad in his fishing gear—waders and all—like a hero diving into battle in an anime! If there’s a fish out there, Kail will summon it like a true Pokémon trainer (minus the Poké Balls, of course).
But Kail isn’t just about the fish; he’s also our resident creative genius. He designed the custom rainbow trout graphic on some of our Drifters gear, proving he can make fish look cooler than any character in a shonen anime. We like to think of him as the “Artful Fish-sensei” of our team!
When he’s not casting lines or conjuring artistic masterpieces, Kail is off exploring Japan during the off-season. He’s got more otaku stories than a convention hall, filled with tales of ramen runs, anime marathons, and maybe a karaoke showdown that turned into an epic saga. If you ask him about his adventures, be prepared for a wild ride—complete with dramatic flair and possibly a few exaggerated sound effects!
So come on down and let Kail take you on a fishing trip that feels like an adventure straight out of your favorite anime—complete with laughter, epic catches, and a splash of blind courage worthy of a legendary hero!
Shane grew up in Nevada and studied wildlife ecology and environmental sciences at the University Nevada, Reno. He started fishing in the Truckee River Basin in Northwest Nevada as a child. He’s been at Drifters since 2021, always coming back excited to get people fishing throughout the Kenai River – one of his favorite ecosystems.
His love of guiding stems from his love of fishing and sharing that passion with others. If you’re not sure where to find him, look on the softball field, racing in the Drift Boat Regatta, or keep your eyes peeled for the Britney Spears shirt behind the oars of boat 420. You can find him snowboarding, camping, hunting, and enjoying the outdoors in the off-season.
Cam was born and raised in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, fishing Lake Michigan with his dad for Walleye and Musky. He has been a Drifters fishing guide since 2021 and is excited to continue guiding clients through the Kenai Peninsula waters he knows and loves.
He loves tying Steelhead flies and Spey fishing the areas around Cooper Landing with his friends during his free time. During his winters in Michigan, Cam spends all his time outdoors ice fishing, hunting deer, snowmobiling and playing hockey.
Braeden grew up outside of St. Louis, Missouri, and has been fishing for as long as he can remember. He joined our Drifters crew in 2024.
Braeden spent 5 years in the US Army as a combat engineer, and currently attends Lindenwood University. He is excited to get out on the water and continue his guiding career. When Braeden isn’t out on the water, you’ll find him golfing, hunting, and dog training in his free time.
Drifters Lodge is a small, locally owned and operated fishing lodge with a long history of repeat guests and satisfied anglers. We have been in operation since 1998.
Drifters Lodge is permitted to operate on public lands under special use permits from the Chugach National Forest, Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, and Alaska State Parks. Drifters Lodge is an equal opportunity provider.
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