Meet Our Founders
Meet Darlene
Allow us to introduce Darlene Turner, one of the partners of Kodiak Smiling Bear Tackle™. With a rich background in military and law enforcement service, Darlene served in the U.S. Air Force for six years from 1971 to 1977 before joining the Alaska State Troopers in July 1977. In 1993 Darlene was promoted and transferred to the Kodiak Post as commander, accumulating 29 years of dedicated service to her country and state.
Life After Retirement
Following her retirement, Darlene ventured into hospitality, opening A Smiling Bear B&B in the summer of 2002, and warmly welcoming the first guests. With a profound love for Kodiak and its vibrant community, Darlene considers it a haven for both residents and visitors, offering unmatched opportunities for living, working, and leisure.
Meet Bill
Bill was blessed with a family that loved to hunt and fish. Grandfather and father took Bill fishing anytime they went. My father was a pilot in the Air Force, so we lived and fished all over the US and Germany. I was blessed as my grandfather taught me to fly fish and tie flies when I was 7, so to say I am an avid fisherman is a given. I mainly fished trout and salmon in my youth. We mainly fished in Washington State as my father grew up in Ilwaco, WA, at the mouth of the Columbia and many smaller streams surrounding the Willapa Bay area. My grandfather lived in Ephrata, WA, so we still water trout fished in the many lakes in the area. I entered the Coast Guard at age 17, attending the CG Academy, and found myself hitching rides to the Batten Kill River in Vermont, tent camping, and fishing if I had some time away from my studies. In 1975, I was fortunate to spend the summer in the Bering Sea and North Pacific on a medium-endurance cutter on Alaska fisheries patrol. We held a port call in Kodiak, Alaska, and I was able to fish the road system for salmon and dollies. I was in nirvana! My only issue was getting some fish back to the Cutter to have fresh salmon for dinner. Then I decided something better than a normal stringer was needed to haul our catch back to the vehicles.
Fast forward several years (1981), I was back in Kodiak as a helicopter pilot for Alaska Patrol, where our helicopter crew deployed aboard fight deck equipped Cutters for fisheries patrols and search and rescue in the Bering Sea and North Pacific along the Aleutian Islands. I figured out quickly that 5 teen class (12-19 lbs.) silvers could not be easily hauled from some of my favorite spots back to the truck. I devised a fish hauler that saved my hands and arms from taking the load. I also discovered the Afognak Island rivers and hiked back with sockeye and silvers to the boat. I made a few haulers for friends, and they have always been grateful. After three years, I left Kodiak and used the fish haulers on the coastal salmon and steelhead streams during my tours in Porta Angeles, WA, and Astoria, OR. Many anglers commented on them, but I never considered making them for a business.
Fortunately, I found myself and my family back in Kodiak in 1993. I updated the fish haulers for my sons and friends, which included SGT Darlene Turner, Alaska State Trooper in charge of the Kodiak detachment. Darlene and I worked closely on law enforcement, land search, and rescue cases for the next 3 years. We have fished together with the same group of CG and Navy personnel for the past 27 years. After making 20 or so fish haulers over the past few years, Darlene and I decided we should get a patent and then make fish haulers to sell.
The rest is history. I researched materials and suppliers as Darlene set up our website and business. I make the haulers out of materials sourced in the US sans the fish clips (no US company makes them that I know of). The haulers are handmade with premium materials and should provide years of service if properly cared for. No matter where you fish or what species you target, the fish hauler is the ticket if you hike in and want to haul out your catch. From one avid fisherman to another, give it a try, and you'll thank yourself down the road!
Tight Lines Bill
If you're interested in the Coast Guard and Alaska Patrol, I can recommend a non-fiction book: A Miracle at Attu: The Rescue of CG-1600.
Wildlife and Fishing Opportunities on the Emerald Isle
Opportunities abound on The Emerald Isle for wildlife enthusiasts, offering breathtaking views of eagles, whales, sea otters, harbor seals, Stellar sea lions, and over 200 species of birds, alongside sights of red foxes, buffalo, and deer. Occasionally, lucky adventurers may even catch glimpses of Kodiak brown bears, mountain goats, and river otters. Moreover, Kodiak's extensive road system leads to some of the world's best salmon, trout, and Dolly Varden streams and rivers, making it a paradise for anglers. Whether you prefer fly-fishing or spin casting, the abundance of fish ensures a memorable experience. For those seeking the thrill of reeling in the big catch, ocean charter fishing is readily available and highly recommended.
How Our Company Was Named
In May 2000, during her final village visit to bid farewell, Darlene Turner found herself driving with the Village Public Safety Officer through the village of Larsen Bay. As they traversed the road, they spotted a young brown bear perched on a rock outcrop, observing them as they passed by. Upon their return, the bear was still there, basking in the sunshine. Intrigued, they halted to observe the bear, which lay on the outcrop just 20 feet from the road, seemingly amused by their presence and sporting a broad grin while sniffing the air. Capturing the moment with photographs, an avatar was born. In that instant, Darlene resolved that whatever business venture she embarked upon, this "Smiling Bear" would serve as the logo.
Explore Our Shop
Ready to gear up for your next fishing adventure? Browse through our collection of high-quality fishing gear and accessories at our shop. From Fish Haulers to other essential equipment, we've got everything you need to make your fishing trips a success. Start shopping now.
