Lodge Team

  • Kaitlin and Hannah!

    Our wonderful crew!

  • Lodge Staff

    Noel, Kaitlin, Emersyn, Piper & Adri!

  • Lodge Chefs

    Head Chef Isaac Utecht & assistant chef Noel Weaver

Lodge Captains

  • Captain Hayden Meier

    Captain Hayden is the son of lodge owners Dennis and Susan. He has grown up spending his summers at Tanaku Lodge. Hayden has spent many years learning the waters and the fish near Elfin Cove through both sport and commercial fishing.

  • Captain Joe Calandra

    Captain Joe has been guiding for Tanaku Lodge in Alaska’s southeast since 2005. Joe, a native of Long Island, New York, brings his knowledge of chasing Tuna, Fluke, and Striped Bass to the Alaska coast. Joe runs the twenty-six-foot Osprey, powered by twin Yamaha engines. He has traveled and fished all over the globe, bringing his fishing experience and personality to Tanaku Lodge.

  • ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Captains

    Captain Justin Western (featured pic)
    Captain Riley Driggers
    Captain Dan Fry
    Captain Chuck Patterson
    Captain Jim Benton
    Captain Terry Larimer

Captain Justin Western: Justin started as a deckhand and moved his way up to captain. He is from Medicine Lake, MT, and also guides hunts in the off-season in Alaska and Montana.

Captain Riley Driggers: Riley, originally from Maui, has captained boats in California, Hawaii, Alaska, and the Virgin Islands since earning his license in 2017, bringing global experience and a passion for the water to Tanaku Lodge.

Captain Dan Fry: Dan, from Salem, Oregon, has been with Tanaku Lodge since 2012, working his way up from deckhand to captain while enjoying off-season fishing adventures with his daughters.

Captain Chuck Patterson: With 46 years of captain experience, Chuck began as a deckhand at 14 and has been a beloved fishing guide at Tanaku Lodge since retiring to Florida in 2017.

Captain Jim Benton: Jim has explored and fished the waters of Southeast Alaska since 1980, drawing on deep family roots in the region to guide guests at Tanaku Lodge.

Captain Terry Larimer: Terry, a lifelong fisherman and former Oregon guide, first visited Tanaku in 2009 and has since become a recurring captain and cherished member of the lodge family.

Lodge Owners

  • Dennis Meier

    Dennis grew up in Wisconsin and spent more than 15 years with Marriott Hotels, serving as Food and Beverage Director and Director of Operations.

  • Susan Meier

    A Washington native and former Marriott manager, Susan spent childhood summers boating in Alaska, eventually leading her and Dennis to buy Tanaku Lodge and build a life in Elfin Cove.

  • Hayden and Kaitlin Meier

    Hayden has worked at Tanaku since high school, where he started as a deckhand. He is now married to Kaitlin, and they are excited to be raising the next generation at Tanaku!


  • Jim Benton

    Jim has been fishing Southeast Alaska since 1980, first visiting as a boy. After falling in love with Alaska, Jim made fishing his career and has guided professionally for over a decade. He may be one of your captains during your stay.

  • Christy Benton

    Christy has been chasing salmon, halibut, and blackcod throughout Southeast Alaska since 1993. Jim and Christy partnered with Dennis and Susan Meier in 1995 to own and operate Tanaku Lodge.