Your Hosts
Bearfoot lodge is owned and operated by Chet and Halie Benson. Chet was drawn to Alaska straight out of high school. After meeting Chet, Halie joined him and together decided that Alaska would be a great place to raise a family. We love all that Alaska has to offer and want to show this beautiful state to everyone who has ever dreamt of coming. Our long time love of the outdoors and the sporting life will become a part of your Alaskan experience.
Chet has spent the last 14 years as a hunting guide, packer, and outfitter and is a very experienced and enthusiastic outdoors man. He has worked as a sport fishing guide and commercial fisherman which has given him a deep understanding of fish cycles and river systems. He has advanced wilderness medical training and spends around 150 days a year 'out in the bush.' His love of fishing and the outdoors is only exceeded by his love for his wife and little girls.
Halie has been hunting and fishing her entire life and has worked in hunting camps in the backcountry of Idaho and the desert of Arizona. Growing up in Idaho, hunting and fishing were just a way of life. Her parents are both outdoor enthusiasts and she hopes to pass it along to her daughters, Autumn and Kaia.
Your head guide and cook Isaac and Chelsea Sullens will ensure that your trip is comfortable and successful. Isaac has been a professional fishermen for over 15 years. Isaac began fishing at age 5 and by age 18 was working full time aboard salmon boats at Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco. He earned a a 100-ton captain's license at age 22, making him the youngest captain in the bay area's thriving charter fleet. He bought his first boat at age 24 and began his own charter business fishing for Sturgeon and Striped Bass after Salmon season was closed. After 11 years as a professional salmon fisherman and fishing the rivers, bays, and Pacific Ocean in northern California he moved to San Diego and worked in the world famous long range fleet. Tuna, Dorado, Yellow Tail and Wahoo were all regulars on the deck of the Royal Star where he spent two years as a valued member of the full time crew. When a guiding position at Bearfoot Lodge opened up, Isaac jumped on it. After several years guiding on the Mulchatna, Stuyahok, and the Koktuli rivers, Isaac knows the waters here intimately and enjoys nothing better than showing his clients the amazing fishing that awaits here every summer. Isaac is always excited to be on the water and share his expansive knowledge. We are excited to have Isaac as our head of fishing operations.
Chelsea's love for hospitality and cooking has taken her from well known produce markets to serving wine to the professional coffee industry and now to serving home cooked meals at Bearfoot Lodge. The last couple years, Chelsea has been involved in creating the lodge's gourmet menus and enjoys creating and improving new recipes. Her specialties include desserts and endless ways of preparing fish. Guests rave about her smoked salmon spread and lemon-dill stuffed trout. She was raised in a wholesome family of five and watched and learned as the best cook she knows whipped up feasts from barren cupboards. "With my husband as the fishing guide, I am now the one providing home cooked meals. With great skill and ambition, I am thankful to have learned from the best, my mother." The lodge provides an extraordinary opportunity for everyone to experience the best and freshest ingredients. Supper comes in as a close tie to the world class fishing at Bearfoot Lodge!
Hunting Opportunities
We also have a fully guided and outfitted hunting service. If you are interested in hunting the Last Frontier check us out here.
Contact Us
We can cater to almost any event. Company retreats, summer camps, have your wedding in the pristine and beautiful surroundings of Bearfoot Lodge. Please feel free to contact us with any questions, concerns, or for more information.
Chet and Halie Benson
(907) 240-4868