Meet Your Captains & Crew - Tall Tale Charters

Operating Alaska fishing charters since 1988, Tall Tale Charters is highly committed to providing the best guided Alaska fishing trips out of Homer and on the Kenai River. We are licensed, insured, and equipped with quality boats, tackle and safety equipment. Our captains, crew and staff are among the most qualified in the business. Most of our business is from repeat clients and referrals, which attests to our high level of quality and success. Please read on for details about our people.

Boo Kandas (owner/captain)

Owner of Tall Tale Charters
Captain of our Homer charter boat "Red Ryder"
Captain of our Kenai River fishing boat
USCG Licensed 100 Ton Master
Over 38 years boating experience
34 years Alaska fishing experience
30-year licensed Alaska fishing guide

More About Captain Boo

Daniel Hayden (captain)

Captain of our Homer charter boat "Red Ryder"
USCG Licensed 100 Ton Master
Over 19 years boating experience
7 years Alaska fishing experience
3-year licensed Alaska fishing guide
ALMSEA certified: survival equipment, procedures and onboard drills

More About Captain Dan

Clay Duda (first mate/deckhand)

Homer Alaska charter deckhand Nick Edwards

First mate and deckhand aboard our Homer charter boat "Red Ryder"

Clay has been fishing out of Homer for two years, both with Captain Daniel Hayden at the helm. Originally from Atlanta, GA, Clay has fished freshwater rivers and lakes his entire life — though nothing compares to angling in Alaskan waters. He worked as a journalist for six years before packing the wagon and heading North. He and his wife are year-round residents of Homer, along with their dog, Peaches, and enjoy ice skating and traveling during the off season.

Jen Kandas (staff)

Jen is married to Boo and has been working hard for Tall Tale Charters since 2003. She is core to our operation; assisting with scheduling, handling the books and doing all she can to keep things running smoothly.

John Tobin (backup captain)

Captain of our Homer charter boat "Red Ryder" (semi-retired, current backup captain)
USCG Licensed 100 Ton Master
Over 49 years boating experience
30 years Alaska fishing experience
15-year licensed Alaska fishing guide
Former USFWS fishery biologist
Former national-level instructor for "Motorboat Operator" and "Motorboat Operator Instructor" training courses for US Department of the Interior
Original author of USFWS Alaska river and swiftwater motorboat operator and paddlecraft training course

Invitational speaker, technical adviser and instructor on motorboat operation, swiftwater training and watercraft safety at the International Boating and Water Safety Summit during 2000 (sponsored by the National Water Safety Congress and National Safe Boating Council)
US Coast Guard veteran