Meet Chef Jason Brown and Pilot Chris Anderson
At Frigate, we understand that there’s more to a guided fishing trip than landing fish. While that’s a major part of what we do, we strive to create something more meaningful and memorable. As a result, we have brought on two special talents who are going to make everyone’s time at 58 North even more enjoyable. Chef Jason, a former high end restaurant and private chef, and Pilot Chris, a lifelong Alaska resident with decades of piloting experience, are new to our team and we’re so excited for what they have to offer.
Chef Jason Brown
Chef Jason began with Frigate in the winter of 2021 down at the lodge in Oregon. As a former private chef in the mountains of Colorado, he understands the necessity of having a delicious meal at the end of a long day of adventuring. Whether it’s a fine dining experience or some comfort food after a tough day, Jason Brown can provide you with something that’s going to fulfill your appetite. In early 2021, Brown felt as if it was time to stretch himself and his skills, so he jumped at the opportunity to work with Justin and Kate and Frigate. Cooking for passionate fly anglers along with the potential of growth in 2022 was too good of an opportunity for Brown to reject. Brown has had his hand directly in the design and setup of the new kitchen at 58 North. It’s been a new challenge that has stretched Jason to think more outside of the box. Brown has always pulled inspiration from the current season and his own food memories. He knows what he enjoys and strives to bring some of those fond memories to the table for those he has the privilege of serving.
Having never lived in Alaska, Brown is excited to bring what the state has to offer into the kitchen. No matter where he’s worked, Brown has formed relationships with local artisans, farmers, ranchers and members of the community to gain inspiration and local knowledge. It’s a part of his cooking philosophy and it’s what is going to make the dining experience at the new lodge so special. His new cooking style is self-titled as “Bush Gourmet”. Guests can expect to see Alaska resources tied in with some of Chef Jason’s personal flair.
After working with Justin and Kate for the past year, Brown has formed relationships with the guests and grown fond of those he’s been able to serve. A familiar face in an entirely new area is going to allow Brown to go above and beyond what he’s already done.
Pilot Chris Anderson
In the guiding industry, local knowledge is as good as gold. Skill rarely can trump local knowledge. The beauty of Chris Anderson, the new pilot with Frigate Adventure’s, The Lodge at 58 North, is that he has both. Anderson grew up flying sea planes with his father in the Bristol Bay area, and with some hard work, it didn’t take long for him to fulfill his dream of guiding and flying on his own. He started at the bottom of the totem pole at local Bristol Bay lodges until he earned the opportunity to both guide and fly!
Being a veteran in the Bristol Bay fishing business, Anderson knew of Justin and Kate as soon as they began guiding in the area. It didn’t take long for Justin and Kate to build a relationship with Anderson and form some mutual respect. “Each guide is trying to put their guests on fish, and I appreciated how Justin and Kate operated,” Anderson says. A new face on the block isn’t always welcomed in prime fishing areas, but Justin and Kate’s care for their guests as well as the environment appealed to Anderson. As the working relationship formed, Anderson jumped at the chance to join forces.
Anderson’s name is well-known amongst the fishing community in Bristol Bay, so opportunities to fly for lodges weren’t hard to find. However, 58 North is where Anderson knew he wanted to be. The smaller aspect of the lodge and the ingenuity of Justin and Kate were the change he desired. “They’re (Justin and Kate) younger and they’re proactive in the industry,” Anderson says. “They’re sticking themselves out there and being role models. This is an industry and environment we care about. The environmental statements that they make, their willingness to push things forward and be ambassadors for products is special.”
Anderson is well aware that there’s more to the guiding industry than filling up a cooler and going home. “Fishing and guiding is all about experience,” Anderson says. “It’s about building a relationship with guests while you’re fishing. Being in nature and a beautiful environment while building those relationships is so special.” While Anderson has worked with the other local lodges within Bristol Bay, many are 2nd generation operations that are more established. The chance to build something from scratch was an added motivation that couldn’t be overlooked. It’s not often that an opportunity arises like this in the Bristol Bay area.
Justin and Kate knew that adding a pilot would allow them to not only compete, but thrive in the Bristol Bay area. “Having a plane provides the ultimate flexibility,” Anderson says. “You can fly to one area and if you don’t like it, all you have to do is fly somewhere else. You don’t have to float, walk three miles or consider a day a waste. You can move around until you find something that’s working.” For Anderson, there’s more to flying in the Alaska area than business. It’s something that he has a deep love for and wants to do it as long as possible. “I’ve grown up in the area and have so much respect for the area,” Anderson says. “Flying here is a lifelong passion and I absolutely love safely bringing people into Bristol Bay. It’s an amazing area with some wonderful fishing opportunities.”