Our mission statement is: "Hosts of the Alaskan Experience". We and the staff are grateful to you, our guest, for supporting the life we love through your patronage of Crystal Creek Lodge. We look forward to sharing with you an inspired fishing adventure at one of the most magnificent places on earth. Here are brief biographies of us, your hosts:
Dan Michels
Dan grew up in Minnesota, living the outdoor life from a young age, and obtained his college degree from the University of Minnesota. He helped build the original Crystal Creek Lodge in 1988 and at that time began guiding in the Bristol Bay Area of western Alaska.
Dan was awarded the Orvis Company's Orvis Endorsed Guide of the Year award in 1993. He is also a licensed U.S. Coast Guard Captain. A commercial pilot since 1989, Dan has logged over 5000 hours of Alaska flight time guiding and piloting float and ski aircraft over every region of Alaska. Dan is the lead pilot who directs the daily flight operations. He often spends days in the field guiding guests.
Dan purchased Crystal Creek Lodge in 1995 and has managed it since.
Alex and Heather Oberholtzer
Alex is shown holding Heather's 30 inch Rainbow Trout from the Naknek River.
Alex and Heather grew up in Ohio, met in college and have worked at Crystal Creek Lodge since 2001. They have two beautiful children together and when not at the lodge in King Salmon live in Palmer, Alaska.
Besides being a guide extraordinaire, Alex is a pilot. He is also the person who leads the guide staff and arranges the daily fishing and field schedule.
When you call Crystal Creek Lodge, you most likely will speak with Heather. Heather is the person who fields inquiries and makes reservation dates for our guests. She also oversees the house and kitchen operations at the lodge during the summer time.