Fire Destroyed Big Dave's Bush Lodge!

Big Dave & His Family Lost Their Alaskan Bush Lodge

If you're a fellow angler in the PNW or any salmon and steelhead circe across the country, you have heard of Big Dave. Big Dave is the guy that will give you his shirt off your back if you need it. He is always the first to help people all over the PNW fishing community. He has been a huge advocate for our fisheries and has helped countless local fishing companies in their endeavors. Now it's time for us to give back and HELP HIM!

15 years ago, Dave and Leslie Manners built a remote fishing lodge on the Kichatna River in South Central Alaska. Here they have catered to adventure-seeing guests for many years. Their two boys, Max, age 12 and Bodie, age 7, have both grown up in their family fishing lodge, where they are now part of the Alaskan experience.

BEFORE

On June 21, they had a chimney fire that started on the roof and within minutes, the entire lodge was engulfed in flames. Thank God nobody was hurt, and the fire did not spread. They were able to contain the fire in the main lodge. The guest cabins were saved. The lodge and all its contents were a total loss.

Moving forward, they have a group of friends that are willing and able to help rebuild so we can operate and finish out their 2023 season. If unable to finish the season Dave and his family will lose a major portion of their income they live on. If we can raise the money needed to at least kick start the build process and materials, it would be a huge relief for his family.

Some of the things they lost are as follows. Mechanical tools and specialty tools, boat parts, six freezers, two refrigerators, a washer, dryer, linens, and towels. All the items in the kitchen were lost including pots, pans, oven, and cooking utensils. This also included all the food and provisions for the summer. The water system, jet pumps, filter system, water heaters, pressure tank and holding tank were destroyed. All the lodge furniture, porch furniture, guns, 2 fly tying vices and all fly-tying materials were lost. Their three employees also lost everything, including $5,000 cash. Not to mention hundreds of memories and items they had collected that they held very dear to their hearts.

The total loss to rebuild will be upwards of $50,000

Let's rally together as an angling community and give our full support to Big Dave, let's help him and his family build again. Thanks for the support everyone, your donation is much appreciated.