As another summer season gets underway here on Raspberry Island, one of the questions we’re most often asked is, “Who will we be spending the week with?” The answer, as always, is one of our favorite parts of the season.

While our boats, cabins, scenery, and wildlife certainly help create a memorable Alaskan vacation, it’s the people behind the scenes who truly bring the experience to life. Every meal served, every fish filleted, every cabin prepared, every trail maintained, every lunch packed, and every story shared around the dinner table comes from a team of people working together toward a common goal: making your week on Raspberry Island one you’ll remember long after you’ve returned home.

We’re excited to welcome back Captain “Bloodthirsty Bob” for his sixth season at the helm of Savvy. Bob has become a familiar face to many of our returning guests, and his combination of fishing knowledge, seamanship, and personality has made him a favorite on the water.

Joining our fleet this season are Captain Dom aboard Serendipity and Captain Mike aboard Serenity. While both are new to Raspberry Island, they arrive with extensive experience guiding anglers throughout Alaska, and we’re excited for our guests to get to know them. I’ll also be filling in aboard each of our boats throughout the summer on the captains’ days off, which gives me one more excuse to spend time on the water with our guests.

Back in the lodge, we’re excited to welcome Tomilyn as our Lodge Cook after she spent a short visit with us last fall. Great food has always been an important part of the Raspberry Island experience, and after sampling her cooking, we knew she’d be a wonderful fit.

Our daughter Sage returns once again as our Provisions Host, making sure each day’s lunches, cabins, and countless behind-the-scenes details are ready before our guests ever head out for the day. Sadie, our Lodge Host, also returns to help in the lodge and announce breakfast and dinner.

Chance returns for his second season as our Outdoor Host, helping care for the property, processing fish, and keeping everything running smoothly outside the lodge. Greg, who first discovered Raspberry Island as one of our guests, returns for his second season as deckhand—this time bringing his captain’s license along with him. Emily joins us for her first season as guide and deckhand and has already become a terrific addition to the team.

Later this summer we’ll also welcome back Guide Chris, Lodge Host Anna, and Anna’s sister Dominika, who joins us for her first season as a Provisions Host.

One thing that makes our operation unique is that nobody has just one job. Our guides may spend one day leading hikers through the spruce forests and the next helping guests land halibut aboard the boats. Our lodge team serves meals, prepares custom field lunches, helps process fish, turns over cabins, and keeps every corner of the property welcoming. Whether someone spends their day on the water, in the kitchen, on the trails, or behind the scenes, everyone shares the same purpose: taking care of our guests and taking care of one another.

To our returning guests, many of these faces will already feel like old friends. To those joining us for the first time this season, we’re looking forward to introducing you to the people who make Raspberry Island feel less like a lodge—and more like home.

Here’s to another safe, successful, and memorable summer in Alaska. We can’t wait to share it with you.