Reel Alaska Fishing Charters

It all started back in 1980… My father Fred Edgar is on his way to Alaska and my mother surprises him with the good news, he is about to become a father again, at the age of 50. As a Korean war vet on disability, he wasn’t able to afford the nicest or newest things for us. He did his best and made sure we were raised right and taught us to be respectful of our natural resources while practicing foraging, hunting and fishing to provide for the family. After years of fishing next to my father’s side all over the Pacific Northwest, he passed due to complications during his fight with cancer just as I was becoming an adult. I found myself searching for peace and headed south, fishing every river, stream and diving off the coast till I ran out of new places to explore in Washingon, Oregon and California. Shortly after it was several years in the Florida Keys out of Key West, then two years in Louisiana and a couple more in Fort Myers/Naples. After much exploring and soul searching an opportunity to come back to Alaska for a summer season was offered to me working as an operator for a vessel/charter owner. After a terrible season was cut short due to mechanical failure, an unsafe vessel and an owner who didn’t pay much care about his clients, I didn’t give up. I became motivated more than ever with my passion for fishing and my business knowledge I built Reel Alaska Fishing Charters from the ground up. That winter we took the time to find our own hull and re-power it with brand new Yamaha outboards, lease the appropriate permits and start our own charter business with nothing but a facebook account. Through my charter experience I would provide a reliable, safe, dependable, fast, vessel for our clients. Vetted and endorsed by the International Game Fish Association for our knowledge and ethical practices, we are one of just a few in the entire state of Alaska. My goal was to provide all of our clients both young and elderly, unexperienced and avid anglers an experience of a lifetime and make memories for years to come. Unfortunately even after all of our efforts Covid-19 impacted all of Southeast Alaska in a negative way that no one saw coming nor could prepare for. Going into our 2nd year of business, as of February 2020 we already had 63 of the 120 total maximum reservations in place to secure a successful season as 80 would have been sufficient. As Covid-19 became more of a threat to our families across the world the cancellations kept coming and refunds were delivered until almost every booking was dwindled away. Unwilling to quit or give up we did everything we could to try and provide for our family, with under 30 trips for the season in 2020, and most of them at a discount we would have been better off to just claim full time unemployment as others had but we didn’t want to give up all hope. We have not received any help from CARES, PPP, or EIDL and have been trying to make ends meet the bet we can. This year in 2021 we find ourselves with the equipment, vessel, and most importantly the ability and location to provide families those true, life long, bucket-list, adventures. But unfortunately not the funds to continue to pay off our loans, advertise, housing, upkeep and maintenance, and fuel. This is a heartfelt message from our hearts as we are not accustomed to asking for help but we need it to survive at this point. Book a trip, tell your friends, like us on facebook or instagram, anything helps. Here is to praying for a better 2021. Giant Fishes and Best Wishes, Reel Alaska Fishing Charters