Since 2007 Kyle has been a cornerstone of the Langara Island Lodge guide team. His guiding career started at Samson Lodge, which once operated in Naden Harbour. The nickname 'Samson' has stuck with him since, with variations such as 'Squanch', 'Salmonsquancher', 'Samsquanch' also acceptable.

Kyle epitomizes what it is to be a west coast salmon fishing guide: a lifetime of dedication to the sport, a sharply keen fishing sense, and a remarkable knowledge of ecosystems on Haida Gwaii. If you've fished with Kyle over the years, you'll have had the pleasure of experiencing all of these, along with his great stories and not-so-great dad jokes.

What do you do when you're not at Langara?

Home base is in Deep Bay on eastern Vancouver Island. In my professional life, I'm an environmental consultant and salmon biologist, spending lots of time working in both freshwater and saltwater environments. My favorite job, though, is being an aspiring Super Dad to my two wonderful kiddos! If I'm not working or fishing, you can find me on the playa, a cerveza and ceviche in hand.

What's the best part about your job at Island Lodge?

It’s the combination of being on the edge of the world in a real-time National Geographic show, the camaraderie (I work with a bunch of brothers and sisters), and the value, appreciation, and support I feel from management. Somehow I have been afforded this amazing opportunity to juggle family and business responsibilities all while maintaining guest and guide relationships. I don’t go to work at Langara. I get to go fishing with all my great friends every day I'm there!

What's one of the main memories of Langara you look back on?

I have many core memories of my time at Langara, but listing just one here wouldn't do it justice. Catch me on the dock, and I'd be happy to cover topics including; Chinooks the size of dolphins, transient orca carnage, pranks involving dead giant squid, being in a humpback bubble net, salmon shark bbq’s and everything in between!

Have you fished with Kyle? If you have a story or two, let us know; you can send us a note here.