Meet Our Captains and Crew

At Sportsman’s Cove Lodge, the experience is shaped by the people who greet you at the dock, guide you on the water, and make sure every detail is handled with care. From seasoned captains to behind the scenes leaders, this team brings deep knowledge, steady leadership, and a genuine love for fishing and hospitality. Get to know the individuals who help make every stay memorable and keep guests coming back year after year.

Joab Rolfe - Managing Partner

Joab Rolfe is one of the owners of Sportsman’s Cove Lodge and plays a key role in shaping the guest experience from arrival to departure. With a background in hospitality management and corporate finance, Joab focuses on thoughtful improvements, operational excellence, and maintaining the high standards expected of a world class Alaska fishing lodge. Based in Colorado, he is an avid angler with a lifelong love for fishing and a family motto that says it all: “We don’t lose fish in this family.” Outside the lodge, Joab and his wife Kristen enjoy time with family, managing rental properties, boating, and camping, all passions that reflect the same appreciation for quality time and the outdoors that defines Sportsman’s Cove.

Captain Clifford Smith - General Manager

Captain Clifford Smith has been an integral part of Sportsman’s Cove Lodge for two seasons, first as a captain and now leading lodge operations. Cliff plays a hands on role both on the water and behind the scenes, guiding guests to trophy fish while ensuring each day at the lodge runs smoothly. Known for landing record sized halibut, he pairs deep on the water knowledge with strong leadership and attention to detail. When he is not running the lodge or chasing fish, Cliff enjoys hunting, designing and building board games, and spending time with his family in Pennsylvania, passions that reflect the creativity and dedication he brings to Sportsman’s Cove.

Andrew Howland - Director of Sales & Guest Services

Andrew Howland joined the team at Sportsman’s Cove Lodge in 2025, bringing more than a decade of experience in hospitality management, sales, and guest services. Andrew is passionate about creating smooth, memorable experiences for guests from the first conversation through the final day of their trip. Based in the DFW area, he and his wife Cindy enjoy staying active, prioritizing fitness, and spending quality time with their family, values that align closely with the care and attention Andrew brings to every guest experience at the lodge.

Steve Helton - Engineer & Boat Captain

Captain Steve Helton is one of the most versatile members of the team at Sportsman’s Cove Lodge. Whether he is guiding guests to trophy fish, rebuilding boat engines, repairing generators, or cooking a memorable meal, Steve brings the same level of care and dedication to everything he does. With three seasons at the lodge, he is known for his problem solving skills, steady presence, and positive attitude that guests and crew alike rely on. When he is not keeping things running smoothly on the water or around the lodge, Steve enjoys spending time with his wife Becky and their grandkids.

Donnie Smith - Fleet Captain

Captain Donnie Smith, Fleet Captain, has been part of the Sportsman’s Cove Lodge family for more than a decade and plays a central role in leading the lodge’s fleet team. Known for consistently putting guests on big fish, Donnie brings deep experience, steady leadership, and a calm confidence to every day on the water. When he is not fishing in Alaska, Donnie returns home to Florida, where he operates his own pecan farm, a pursuit that reflects the same patience, care, and work ethic he brings to the helm.

Micah Sanders - Captain

Captain Micah Sanders, from Biloxi, Mississippi and is in his second year with Sportsman’s Cove Lodge, where he has already made a strong impression on guests and crew alike. Known for delivering a high energy, well rounded experience on the water, Micah has earned a reputation as the self proclaimed King of Rockfish. When he is not chasing black bass in Alaska, Micah returns home to Biloxi where he runs his own charter service and a Christmas lights business, bringing the same drive and enthusiasm to every venture he takes on.

Brian Williamson - Captain

Captain Brian Williamson comes from sunny Florida and has been part of the team for more than five seasons. Known for his calm demeanor and genuine commitment to exceptional hospitality, Brian takes pride in helping guests fill their fish boxes while creating memorable days on the water. During the offseason, he continues doing what he enjoys most by fishing and spending quality time with his family, a balance that reflects the steady, welcoming presence he brings to every trip.

Bridger Beaty - Captain

Captain Bridger Beaty is the youngest member of the captain team at Sportsman’s Cove Lodge and is now in his second season with the lodge. After exceeding expectations as a deckhand and mechanic in his first year, Bridger quickly earned his place at the helm. He lives and breathes saltwater fishing and is known for his trademark “come here fish” chant when reeling in a big one, a moment that never fails to bring a smile to the boat. Always willing to lean into the fun, Bridger is also famous for taking on oddball challenges, including the occasional fish gut saltwater dare. Originally from Florida, he spends his off seasons fishing throughout South America and enjoying time with family back home.

Together, this team is what turns a great fishing trip into a lasting memory at Sportsman’s Cove Lodge. Their experience, care, and passion for the water show up in every detail, from the first cast to the final day at the dock. If you are ready to experience Alaska fishing done right, now is the time to start planning your trip and secure your place at the lodge.

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