Russell Hanson — son and grandson of commercial fishermen, guiding Kyuquot Sound since 1999, owner of Qaayuuk since 2024.
"I started fishing at ten — commercial trolling, gillnetting salmon, gillnetting herring. In 1999 I started guiding with several fishing resorts on the West Coast. I learned the water from the people who knew it best, working alongside other guides and commercial captains for two decades."
"In 2024 I purchased a floating lodge. I now own four boats, two trucks, two quads, and a 10-bedroom lodge that holds up to 18 people. I run the lodge alongside my water taxi and forestry businesses — five to seven people work at the lodge in season, two in forestry, two to three on the water taxi."
"My goal is to see better for our people. To show that if you work hard you can build something. I want this lodge to be a success not just for me, but for the people who work here — so they have work when they need it."
A few principles that shape every trip.
We deliberately run fewer rods per boat than the industry norm. More rod time, more coaching, better days.
The lodge is staffed by local people. Russell hires from the community first — that's why this matters to him.
No corporate booking platform, no rotating staff, no franchise. Russell answers the phone himself.
The floating lodge, the boats, and the water it all sits on.
