ACTIVITIES
At Cascade Creek Inn & Charters, husband and wife team Richard and Caryn Kraft are eager to share that unique feeling that drew them to Sitka over 30 years ago and ultimately inspired them to purchase the lodge they
now so lovingly nurture and offer as a gift to their guests.
Cascade Creek Inn & Charters provides anglers of all experience levels with all-inclusive Alaskan fishing adventures in the summer months. Fishing days start early at the lodge, with a hearty breakfast and a ride to the
dock where 30-foot aluminum boats await to safely,
quickly and comfortably transport the group to fishing areas. Experienced guides and crew work to get clients into some good fishing with a variety of methods: mooching or trolling for salmon, bottom fishing for halibut and, when the winds cooperate off shore, using electric reels for the very deep fish, like black cod.
Following some afternoon fishing, guests return to enjoy some downtime and light refreshments in the lodge.
That time of day is Rich’s favorite. He enjoys visiting with guests, hearing their fish stories from the day and trading
a few of his own. After three seasons in business, there is already a familiar rhythm at the lodge that enriches the experience for him and his family.“That’s pretty neat. You actually get people when they walk in the door," Rich
Says. "You call them by first name. They’ve moved from being a guest to more of a friend. It makes the work even more enjoyable.”
That warm, inviting feeling is a natural extension of the atmosphere the Krafts have created at their lodge. With only 10 guest rooms and two boats, Cascade Creek Inn offers a personalized, intimate experience for a variety
of guests.
“We enjoy and have a number of families with younger children as well as older grandparents bringing extended family to just get away and spend some time together.
We are now starting to get some bigger groups who like the idea of just them in the whole lodge, as we are the
right size for many of these situations,” explains Rich.
Rich and Caryn seem to understand the importance of time spent with loved ones. Their own grown children decided to go into business with their parents, and they all rely
on each other to make the lodge a success. Two sons, Tyler and Nathan, captain the boats while their daughter Kaylee runs the lodge. Rich completes repairs and renovations while Caryn manages the books, schedules and customer service.
Originally from South Dakota, he and Caryn first moved to Sitka when Rich accepted a position with the Public Health Service after his medical school residency. After eight years in Sitka, they decided to move their three sons and daughter back to their home in the Dakotas, buy a farm and “teach those kids how to work!”
And work the Krafts did. Between running the farm, continuing to work for the Public Health Service, and the busyness of four children in school and sports, Rich said they had never worked harder in their life. It was at that point that Sitka called them back.
Fishing with Friends
After a long and satisfying day reeling in fish from the bountiful Pacific waters surrounding Sitka, there is nothing quite like relaxing on your own peaceful oceanfront balcony and watching the sun set behind the dormant volcano Mt. Edgecumbe. With
salty spray in the air and a playful sea otter family gliding by the water’s edge below,
guests soak in that truly Alaskan experience of being immersed in wild beauty.
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