Guides

All of our guides are licensed and guide full time, with summers spent at the Goodnews River Lodge, and the rest of the year on their home waters in places like the Keys, Oregon, Louisiana, the Rockies, and Michigan.

Have you ever booked a trip to a remote fishing destination only to get there and find that the guides are not up to par? Well, you won’t have that problem at the Goodnews River Lodge. We not only great fishermen/Guides, but also great guys who truly enjoy being around people. And we’re especially excited to say that in 2022 all of our guides have had prior experience on the Goodnews River. Most of them return every year to their favorite fishing hole, and each has his own favorite fish, methods, and sections of the River. That’s why we have you fish with a different guide every day. They’re all great, and you’ll love the time you spend on the water with each of them. Here is who you will be fishing with on a trip to the Goodnews River Lodge in 2022.

Alex Kumiski

This will be Alex’s tenth season on the Goodnews river and thirteenth season in Alaska. He has spent time guiding in southwest Florida and hopes to soon be running trips in Northern California for steelhead, trout, and striper as well. The son of a fishing guide, Alex spent much of his childhood fishing the waters of Florida’s Space Coast. Alex came to the Goodnews river first as service staff at the age of eighteen and quickly fell in love with it. After his first five year stint (three of them guiding), he spent the next few seasons in southeast Alaska fishing the Inside Passage out of Prince of Wales Island before realizing how much he missed the Goodnews River system and returned. While skilled at targeting all species on the river he especially enjoys running up river to the braids and smaller sections of stream to afford anglers the opportunity to sight-cast to dolly varden, arctic grayling, and rainbow trout.

Steven Cratty

Cratty, like the others who have become part of the core camp group, started as support staff. The perfect blend of no-nonsense assertiveness and pure banter, he won’t hold back in telling you what you’re doing wrong. But you will catch fish with him, and you will enjoy yourself while you do it, especially if you have a soft spot for Conway Twitty and Steely Dan. Frankly it’s hard to describe a day on the water with him without experiencing it yourself. He is one of the hardest working people we know and he knows this camp like the back of his hand; probably because he helped build a lot of it, and still maintains the essential pieces even after long days on the water. In the off season he lives in New Orleans, where he guides for Redfish in the Biloxi Marsh (in those same round/non-Smith sunglasses, and yes they’re polarized). This will be his tenth season with us in Goodnews.

Jan Stewart

If experience counts for anything, then Jan is worth his weight in gold. Growing up in Goodnews and running the river from an early age has made him incredibly knowledgeable, as well as a great steward for the watershed. Spending his previous years as the official River Ranger of Goodnews, he’s spent extensive time running the river from the mouth to the upper reaches, all the while fishing in between. Every guide has their hot spots, it’s just that Jan has a few more. In his years guiding for us he has become a guest favorite for his dry sense of humor, smooth driving, and his wealth of knowledge on Goodnews and the surrounding area. He’s also a great shot, knows this river like the back of his hand, and keeps an eye on the place while the rest of us enjoy our winters elsewhere.

Reed Moulton

While growing up just outside of Salt Lake City, Reed developed a love for the outdoors at an early age. He Visited Alaska for the first time at the age of 15 in 2009, on a fishing trip with his Father. He was instantly hooked. 4 years later Reed moved to Jackson Wyoming, where he rekindled the passion for fly fishing he developed in Alaska. After 10 years of living in Wyoming, he attended the Sweetwater Guide School, pursuing a career as an Alaskan fishing guide. This will be Reeds second year as a guide at Goodnews River Lodge.

Jay Swartly

Native to the great state of Pennsylvania, Jay spent the better part of 10 years guiding on the Truckee River just outside Tahoe, California. He has since planted his roots as an Alaska resident. Jay spends his winters in Girdwood, Ski patrolling at Alyeska Resort. After spending his summers as a Sea Kayak guide in Valdez, he is joining us for his second year at Goodnews River Lodge. Jay has a passion for wildlife, nature and outdoor education. In the off season you can find him with a spotting scope looking for sheep, ptarmigan and other wild game. He has a true appreciation for Mother Nature.

Anthony Miller

Based out of northeast Ohio, Anthony is joining us for his second year at the lodge. For the last five years he has guided Bass, Trout, Pike and Musky in the Chagrin River area. Anthony grew up fishing with his grandfather on the lakes and ponds in his area, developing a passion for fishing at a young age. We are sure that you will have a great time fishing with him!

Jeremy Wright

Jeremy has become a new fan favorite. We are excited to welcome him back for his second year at the lodge. He spends the rest of the year guiding huge Pyramid Lake Lahontan Cutthroat Trout, as well as various rivers of the South Lake Tahoe area. During his winters Jeremy works in the ski industry, patiently waiting for spring to emerge and the fishing to begin!