Our Fishing Guides
Intro text here if you want to include an intro on your guides.
Captain John Perry, Owner
|
JP grew up on Grosse Ile, an island in Michigan situated at the mouth of the Detroit River and Lake Erie. Surrounded by excellent fishing and waterfowl hunting opportunities, he developed a deep passion for the outdoors.
Eventually, JP moved to Colorado to pursue his love of trout fishing in the summers and ski patrolling in the winters. During his second year in Colorado, he had the privilege of starting to guide for Angler's Alibi with his fly fishing mentor, TR Rafferty. However, he later left a head guide position in Colorado to seek out even bigger and better fish. Over the 30 years on the Alagnak River, JP has cherished the development of lifelong friendships with guests and the opportunity to witness some of the most consistent and incredible fishing the planet has to offer. He continues to provide a superior level of service to guests at Angler's Alibi and remains committed to keeping the fishing program the top priority. During the off-season, JP resides between Utah and the North Shore of O'ahu with his wife Jenn and their children. |
Captain John Landry
|
Captain John Landry will be returning to the Alagnak River this summer with Angler's Alibi. John spends his summers guiding with us and the rest of the year guiding in Southwest Florida, where he runs Sportfisha Guide Service.
John's fishing expertise spans the country, from Montana's trout streams to the bluefin tuna grounds off Cape Cod. During his 15 years with Angler's Alibi, he has earned a stellar reputation as one of the best guides ever to work the Alagnak River. His expertise and engaging personality make him highly sought after by our customers. A specialist in braid fishing, Captain Landry spends most of his guiding days targeting rainbow trout in the Alagnak Braids. His passion for the river and his eagerness to return each season are evident to all who know him. We are also excited to share that John and his wife Mariah are expecting their first child this spring. We offer them our warmest congratulations! We look forward to another great season with Captain John Landry on the Alagnak River. |
Captain Chris Emmens (Thermo)
|
I'm pleased to announce that Chris Emmens will be returning as a guide for the 2025 season. Chris has been an invaluable member of the Angler's Alibi team for 13 seasons, and we're thrilled to have him back.
Chris is an incredibly skilled fly fisherman and fly tier. His expertise was recognized in a 2015 Fish Alaska Magazine article, where he was featured as the guide who led world-renowned angler Cecilia "Pudge" Kleinkauf on several successful fishing days at Angler's Alibi. Chris consistently demonstrates his commitment to our team and guests through his exceptional customer service and willingness to help in any capacity. His experience and diverse skill set make him an asset in all aspects of camp operations. We're excited to have him guide on our home river and as one of our top fly-out guides this summer. Chris's extensive experience on all of our fly-out rivers and his "bush" skills make him an ideal choice for remote fishing and bear viewing excursions. During the off-season, Chris guides saltwater anglers in SW Florida, targeting tarpon, snook, and redfish with his guide service Apex Angling. He holds a degree in Fisheries Biology and enjoys skiing, fishing, hunting, and ice hockey in his free time. |
Captain Jeff Topp
|
Jeff Topp, a Michigan native, is a dedicated year-round fishing guide with 29 years of experience on the Alagnak River, starting in 1996. His expertise extends beyond Alaska, guiding in Michigan for salmon, steelhead, and trout for Mangled Fly. Jeff even spent some time guiding in Chile back in the 90's.
Since joining us in 2020, Jeff has proven to be an invaluable asset to our team. His extensive knowledge of the Alagnak River, honed over many years, is exceptional. Even prior to joining us, while working at another lodge, Jeff was always a great friend to us at Angler's Alibi. Jeff's proficiency in various angling techniques is truly impressive. I've personally witnessed his skill firsthand – on one memorable occasion, he consistently out-fished me on the fly while I was using conventional gear! He's a rock-solid guide with an undeniable passion for the Alagnak River. We're proud to have Jeff as a core member of our guide staff, and we look forward to many more years of his expertise and camaraderie. |
Captain Will Evans
|
Will began his journey with us as a college student, building his skills from the ground up, much like many of our current guides. His passion for the outdoors, particularly hunting, fishing, and skiing, aligns perfectly with our team's values. Will's dedication to continuous learning and his unwavering commitment to prioritizing guest experiences have made him a tremendous asset.
Will is a big part of the Brooks River Guide program and has already contributed to several highly successful trips. Guiding on this world-renowned river, amidst brown bears and leaping salmon, is an unparalleled opportunity, and Will has risen to the challenge. He is also now one of our main guides on the Alagnak River Braids. Will's positive attitude and eagerness to learn are evident in all that he does. He is set to graduate soon with a degree in fisheries biology from Montana State, further enhancing his expertise. We are truly fortunate to have Will on our staff and look forward to many more years of his contributions. |
Captain Carson Brzeczek
|
Carson joined our team right after high school. While he already possessed impressive skills in both single-hand and two-handed fly fishing, he dedicated himself to learning the ins and outs of our operations. He seized every opportunity to take guests out fishing after dinner, which significantly accelerated his growth.
His winter job as a ski instructor in Vail, Colorado, where he taught big mountain skiing at a private academy, played a crucial role in shaping his exceptional patience and instructional abilities. These qualities undoubtedly set him apart as a guide. Carson's innate fishing instincts and his adaptability to any of our fly-out streams have solidified his position as a promising long-term guide with Angler's Alibi. We are truly fortunate to have him on our team. |
Captain Austin Lawless
|
I'd like to introduce you to Captain Austin Lawless, a new addition to our guide staff for 2025. Austin hails from Michigan, where he runs his own guide service and has gained experience at other lodges in Alaska.
Currently, he is completing his studies at Northern Michigan University this spring, where he has also been a dedicated member of the hockey team throughout his college career. Austin's background with salmon, steelhead, and trout, combined with his team-oriented mindset, make us confident that he will be an excellent guide for our clients. Furthermore, Austin is highly skilled at operating jet and prop boats in rivers and demonstrates a preference for tiller boats, a valuable asset for navigating Alaska's challenging rivers. He has already proven his capabilities during several summers spent guiding in both Alaska and Michigan. Please join me in welcoming Austin to our team. |
Captain Donny Ottaway
|
Donny Ottaway will be returning to Angler's Alibi for four weeks this summer. Donny has been a valuable member of our team since 2012, providing exceptional support during our busy August and September months.
Donny's background as a full-time firefighter in Denver brings invaluable skills to our lodge, including extensive backcountry hiking experience and the ability to handle medical emergencies. His professionalism and calm demeanor are a tremendous asset, making him a favorite among our guests. When not fighting fires or guiding at Angler's Alibi, Donny also works as a waterfowl guide in Colorado. His diverse experience and positive energy are always a welcome addition to our team. We're thrilled to have Donny back with us this summer and look forward to another successful season. |
Captain John Popp
|
Captain John Popp was one of our most dedicated customers for years, fishing with unmatched intensity and frequently spending two weeks at a time pursuing trophy king salmon. His passion for fishing eventually led him to become a guide with Angler's Alibi.
We are thrilled to have Captain Popp as a member of our team. He consistently keeps our guests entertained both on the river and in the evenings, when he tends bar at the lodge. His exceptional passion for fishing is evident in the many requests he receives from guests hoping to fish with him. We are so grateful for Captain Popp's dedication and enthusiasm, and we look forward to many more years with him on our staff. |
