Bob Cusack

Bob singing along to a little Deano (Dean Martin)

I have had the pleasure to work for Mr. Bob Cusack for the past four summers at his lodge in Alaska. Bob is a genuinely great guy although you wouldn't always know if you just met him because he's hard headed, strong willed, and sometimes quite abrasive. My first day arriving at the lodge in June of 2008 Bob landed in his little Piper Super Cub, walked over to me shook my hand and said "I'm Bob, you must be Brian." I shook his hand said hello nice to meet you and he replied, "I usually like my guides a little smaller than you, you are a pretty big boy." Keep in mind I was about 40 pounds heavier at that time. Even still every now and again I am dubbed "big boy," "Lard ass," or "tiny." Bob usually doesn't mix words, he is to the point and says what he's thinking. I remember asking Bob once what his favorite rod was and he said something to the effect of I don't know and I don't much care they all throw line and that's all that matters. Tie on a hook with some yarn on and go catch some fish. 

Bob landing the Super Cub in the mouth of the "Secret River"
Photo by Kris Kennedy

Bob has been the owner/operator/pilot of Cusack's Alaska Lodge for 30 years now and before that he operated out of a 60 foot barge on the Alagnak River. He has been a bush pilot for over 40 years and he has been flying safely for all of those years. There is a saying "There are old pilots and there are bold pilots, but there aren't any old bold pilots." Well Bob was surely a bold pilot for a while he often talks about the early days where he used to fly over native villages, cut his engine, and yell out the the window "I'm the greatest!" But those days are long behind him. There isn't a single person I would rather be flying with in Alaska than Bob. I know on tough days he will always make the right choice, and that is the safe choice. He is a family man and for as long as they've been in the business his wife Lula has been the chef, one of the finest I have ever come across, and his daughters Marisa and Nicole have been there willing to help with whatever they can (they both make a mean red velvet cake!). If I were to go anywhere in Alaska I would go to Cusack's Alaska Lodge. The fishing is unreal and there is no doubt in my mind it will be the trip of your lifetime. Hell, I may even be your guide?