Dave Atcheson

Dave Atcheson is the coordinator of KFA. He is one of our primary classroom and on-the-water instructors, and the author of the just published “Fishing Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula,” the only book dedicated solely to fishing this part of Alaska. Dave teaches fly-fishing at the college during spring and fall semesters, and spent a number of years with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game working on a Kenai River Habitat Study. He has a BA in Sociology and Social Work, and worked as a commercial fisherman as a salmon setnetter in Prince William Sound. He is a Contributing Editor for Fish Alaska Magazine and writes for Alaska Magazine, Fly Fishing Quarterly, Outdoor Life and other publications. Autographed copies of Dave’s book will be available for purchase during class.

Tony Weaver

Tony Weaver is renown throughout the fly fishing world for his innovative casting techniques and teaching abilities. He has been guiding in Alaska, and been an Alaskan resident for 36 years. He is the Alaska Council president for the Federation of Fly Fishers (FFF), FFF Certified Master Fly-casting Instructor, and serves on the FFF Casting Advisory Committee. Tony has been chief technical editor for Fish Alaska Magazine and has written for Fish and Fly, FFF Flyfisher and Flyfisherman magazines. Tony is also the author of the new book Topwater: Fly-Fishing Alaska. Twice a year, Tony teaches at the Bonefish School in the Bahamas and has fished the tropics from Andros Island to Guatemala for sailfish. He has fished Alaska extensively from the Arctic to Prince of Wales Island and also works as a consultant for Teeny Nymph and Frontier Fly companies.

Bo Ansel

Bo Ansel has been a registered professional fishing guide on the Kenai Peninsula since 1985 and is the owner of Bo’s Fishing Guide Service. Along with guiding for salmon and trout he also charters for Halibut in Cook Inlet and has expanded his business, fishing out of Seward for various species including rockfish, lingcod, coho salmon and halibut in the same trip. Each year, Bo fishes the world’s richest billfish tournament, The Bisbee, in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, and has spent considerable time in the Florida Keys pursuing bone fish, tarpon, snook and sailfish. You can visit his web site at www.boknowsfishing.com 

Dr. Dave Wartinbee

Dr. Dave Wartinbee, is a biology professor at Kenai Peninsula College during the spring and fall and teaches river biology, hydrology and stream ecology. He has a PhD in Biology, MS in Biology, BA in Biology, JD in Law (member of the bar in Alaska and Pennsylvania), certified paramedic, author of numerous publications and former Peace Corp volunteer. He is a board member of the Kenai Watershed Forum and monitors the water quality and insect populations of the Kenai River.

Larry Lewis

Larry Lewis teaches wildlife safety, a class that can help you to stay safe in the field and could possibly save your life. Larry is a Wildlife Technician with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Wildlife Conservation and has been with the department since 1993. He’s worked in various field capacities over the years has been directly involved with bear research, management, training and wildlife mitigation work since 1995.

Paul tornow

Paul Tornow is originally from Northern Wisconsin and has been guiding since the age of 14. He's also a talented artist, currently pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Art degree at the University of Alaska. Paul holds a United States Coast Guard Master's License and has guided saltwater charters on Cook Inlet, and is at present a fly fishing guide on the upper and middle Kenai River with his guiding business "Alaska's Angling Addiction." Paul is a certified casting instructor through the FFF and enjoys most the teaching aspect involved in guiding, helping his clients catch their first fish, their biggest fish, or just sharing with them the Alaskan experience. It's his goal to one day combine his love of the outdoors and nature with his love for creating art, and to, hopefully, have an impact on people in both disciplines. Visit his website at www.alaskasanglingaddiction.com.

Tony Lewis

Tony Lewis is an avid fly fisherman and fly tyer, who has lived on the Kenai Peninsula for the last twelve years. He has worked as a reporter for the local Kenai Peninsula newspaper, is a frequent contributor to Alaska Magazine as well as several other outdoor publications.

Joe McCullough

Joe McCullough, with the State Division of Parks, Office of Boating Safety, will teach boat safety and cold-water survival techniques.

Gary Turner

Gary J. Turner, the director of KFA, created the program in 2002 because he had seen too many frustrated anglers—Alaskans and non-residents—who didn't know how to fish Alaskan waters. As the director of Kenai Peninsula College, he wanted to combine the love of sportfishing with teaching people to fish better, and to respect Kenai Peninsula resources.

Turner is a certified Coast Guard master captain and a registered Alaska sportfishing guide. He serves as the board chair of the Kenai River Guide Academy that created the 5-day course that became mandatory for all Kenai River fishing guides in 2007. Turner was appointed in October 2006 as the sole public member to the newly established Kenai River Guide Advisory Board whose purpose is to review guide issues and serve as a liaison to the Kenai River Special Management Area Advisory Board and Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation. Turner is on the board of directors of the Kenai River Sportfishing Association and is an associate member of the Kenai River Professional Guide Association. In Nov. 2006, he was appointed to the Alaska Select Committee on Legislative Ethics by Alaska Supreme Court Justice Dana Fabe.