where wilderness meets warm hospitality

Phil came to Alaska after high school and began guiding saltwater and freshwater fishing trips on Kodiak Island. Two years later, he moved to Bristol Bay, where he's spent the last 20 years guiding fishermen and hunters. He's held a 6-pack captain's license since he was 18 and has been a licensed commercial pilot for land and sea since 2005. In 2019, after years of research and planning, Phil built Lava Creek Lodge, keeping the best of what he'd learned working at lodges across Alaska and leaving the rest behind. His vision hasn't changed since the day the doors opened: a place where guests are known by name, not by room number.

Mike grew up in the waters of New England and has chased fish everywhere from the Florida Keys to Maui to his home base in western Montana - brook trout and striped bass, tarpon and permit, big blue marlin, and salmon, on everything from heavy tackle to fly and spey gear. He joined Lava Creek Lodge as head guide and manager just after the camp was built. Friendly and knowledgeable, Mike's the guy with an answer to any question and a patient, effective teacher for anyone looking to get deeper into fly fishing. Just make sure you catch him after his morning coffee, otherwise you’ll meet who we call our resident “grumpy old man.”

Will grew up in the mountains and trout streams of Montana, and recently relocated to call Alaska his home.  He first came to Alaska in 2016 and started guiding both fishing and hunting for moose and brown bear.  For the past decade he’s guided for salmon and trout at numerous lodges around southwest Alaska, and has brought all that experience here to join our team at Lava Creek Lodge.  Whether it’s chasing rainbow trout or big king salmon, he brings his Alaskan knowledge and stories on the boat everyday to share with new anglers.

Charles comes from the swamps of Florida by way of Pennsylvania, and brings that southern character (and accent) to Lava Creek. With his mechanical and construction background, he's an asset at a remote bush camp, and his love of streamer fishing and trout spey makes him a proper fit for Alaska. Whether he's chasing rainbows and dollies upriver or searching for salmon on the lower river, his down-to-earth, no-nonsense approach leaves you feeling like you spent the day fishing with an old buddy.

Chef Betty was born and raised in Rhode Island, where she went to culinary school for baking and pastry arts. Moves to the Florida Keys, Alaska, and Maui with her husband added culinary experience and creative ideas along the way. She brings an upscale flair to hearty meals that never leave anyone hungry, but always wanting more, and tops it all off with nightly extravagant desserts. Her goal is for anglers to talk about her food as much as the fish they caught that day, and sometimes they do.

Andy grew up fishing for trout and salmon in Washington state, and after traveling around with the Marine Corps, settled in North Carolina.  When not in Alaska, he runs a guide service for redfish and false albacore on the coast of North Carolina with both fly and light tackle gear.  Aside from his vast fresh and salt water fishing experience, Andy’s mechanical background makes him an asset to have in remote Alaska.  Paired with his calm demeanor and willingness to teach new anglers, he is a strong part of our guide team.

Lainey came to Lava Creek Lodge for her summer break from college in Montana where she has lived her whole life.  Being from Montana Lainey has a passion for fishing and a love of adventure.  This zest for life is what took her to Alaska for the season.  Her bright and shining personality comes through in the early morning coffee hours and late night lodge resets.  Always happy to talk about fishing and other adventures with clients and crew alike.  

Isaac has been an integral part of our king salmon guide crew for years. Growing up in the Pacific Northwest instilled a love of anadromous fish and a drive to chase them. That drive has taken him guiding across Scandinavia, where he now calls Norway home. But he always returns to Alaska to swing for salmon and steelhead with the spey rod. An experienced double-hand caster, he's great at teaching beginners the way of the spey, and his easygoing demeanor makes every day on the river an enjoyable one.

Along with being the branch manager here at Lava Creek Lodge, Quin’s main job is keep morale at an all time high here at camp.  Both staff and clients alike are obliged to give morning pets.  She really shines come September, when waterfowl season opens, but manages to keep the local ptarmigan in check all summer.