Jim has lived in Alaska for 30 years and has over 17,000 hours operating boats in Alaska's waters. He has 20 years experience on the Stikine River and stresses safety in all operations. Before coming to Alaska, Jim instructed whitewater canoeing for many years on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington State. He has been operating boats on rivers since he was 12 years old. Jim obtained an extensive knowledge of the native and local history, hunting and fishing skills from his father-in-law, native elder Dick Stokes. The family's love of Alaska comes across in all of our activities. The Leslies believe that is important to volunteer time and talent to the local community, state and nation. Jim currently serves as a board member on the Wrangell Chamber of Commerce and is the chairman of the City of Wrangell Port Commission.

Wilma is an Alaska Native of Tlingit and Haida descent. She is of the Haida nation, Raven moiety, Yahku Láanaas clan and Double Fin Killer Whale house. She is the great, great, granddaughter of Haida Chief, Yeltatzie. Her Tlingit name is Sik-Klein. It was given to her by her paternal great, great aunt and Tlingit Elder, the late Cecilia Kuntz. Wilma was born and raised in Wrangell and later left the island to attend college in Hawaii. As a child, she spent time on family outings camping and swimming at AnAn beach while bears fed on salmon in the creek nearby. Her family are good friends with the Ball family, the current owners of Glenora Guest Ranch. Wilma is the vice-president of Alaska Waters, Inc. She is the founder and events coordinator for Wrangell's Stikine River Garnet Festival. The festival was designed to enhance the education of Wrangell’s school children, the community and visitors about the wildlife and history of the Stikine River delta as well as encourage economic development and diversity for Wrangell. Wilma has worked in the visitor/hospitality industry most of her life. She worked for her father’s company, Sai-Tawn Tours as a youth in the 1970’s. Sai-Tawn Tours was Wrangell’s first adventure tour company to offer jet boat tours to the Stikine River, AnAn Bear & Wildlife Observatory and Telegraph Creek, B.C, Canada. Sai-Tawn is her father’s Tlingit name. It means “Voice Of The Sea Lion”. Wilma currently serves as a volunteer for the local chapter of the American Red Cross. She is also a regional representative on the Alaska Forest Association's Sustainable Forestery Initiative committee and on the board of Alaska Campground Owners Association.

    
Dick Stokes Stokes is Alaska Waters Inc.'s official Alaska Native History Consultant. He is a Tlingit Elder and has worked with the Smithsonian Institute as a consultant specializing in Tlingit artifacts and Alaska Native traditions. Dick’s Tlingit name is Sai-Tawn, meaning “Voice of the Sea Lion.” Mr. Stokes is Wilma’s father. Guests often see him at the main office smoking salmon or cooking crab preparing the food for winter storage. Traditional smoked salmon is one of his specialties.

Brooke Leslie, pictured in her regalia on the Wrangell Island page, enjoys working for the family business. She works as deckhand on the Chutine Warrior and is the manager of the company’s small RV Park. Brooke is well versed in Tlingit song and dance. She participates in Alaska Waters’ guide training program and is looking forward to running the company’s concierge service. Brooke is Jim and Wilma’s twentyone-year-old daughter.

James Leslie II is employed part-time by Alaska Waters. James specializes in sport fishing. He has become an excellent fisherman and enjoys sharing his knowledge of the sport. His duties range from filing documents to "swabbing the decks". Raised in the guiding business, James is also an experienced deckhand. He is an avid outdoorsman and is learning to identify wildlife as well as the flora and fauna of Southeast Alaska. James is extremely interested in bird identification. He is also looking forward to getting his captain's license and driving his own jet boat. James is Jim and Wilma’s fifteen-year-old son.

"Big Jim" Silverthorn: Jim Silverthorn, aka “Big Jim” first came to Wrangell in 1987 with his wife, Joanne, on the adventure of a lifetime.   As with many others who have traveled to Alaska, it was not a onetime trip.  Wrangell really got under their skin.  Jim and Joanne fell in love with Wrangell and Jim found his way back in 1990 to work in the Wrangell School District.  The United States Army was Jim’s first career followed by a stint as a teacher in New Mexico, Texas, Colorado, and Alaska.  He and wife, Joanne, also owned a restaurant in Creede, CO.  Some have even commented favorably on his gourmet cooking. Travel has always been a part of Jim’s life, twenty years in the US Army will do that to one. His travel includes all fifty states and five continents.  In 2004 he returned to Wrangell to make it home and became the manager of the Alaska Waters RV Park, a natural position since he and Joanne are avid RVers.  Then In 2006 Big Jim had an opportunity to work in the tour division of Alaska Waters, business.   He took over the Tour Desk due to a Leslie family medical emergency.  In 2007 he was promoted to his current position as Business Manager, a job he truly loves.  People, travel, and the love of nature keep his attention.  Big Jim loves Alaska, specifically Wrangell, and wants everyone to share in his love of what Wrangell and Alaska Waters has to offer.

Read The Silverthorn Chronicles and get an Alaskan's point of view about Alaska. 

Family Hosts: A true family business, from time to time other members of the Stokes-Leslie family will be asked to guide guests on a tour of the island or to help with courtesy transfers. Other family members;Wilma Sr, Donna, Heidi, David, and Rhonda are all Alaska Native and are experienced, well versed guides. Our family is very large so it is not unusual for guests to receive a friendly wave from our family members while touring the island. Immersion into island life and meeting real Alaskans is an interesting and fun experience that all of our guests especially enjoy! Needless to say, we are a “Family Friendly” company.

Ivan Simonek was born and raised in Prague; Czech Republic. He immigrated to the US and settled down in Wrangell, Alaska with his wife Gina. An enthusiastic photographer of many years, in 1996 Ivan founded a stock photography business called Alaskan Images (and other decent exposures). His photographs were published in magazines and books in the United States and in Europe, and on bestselling postcards. 50 of his photos are part of the permanent exhibits in Wrangell’s new museum. The City of Wrangell and local businesses also use his photos to promote Wrangell to visitor industry. Since 2003, Ivan has been associated with Alaska Waters, Inc. which he considers to be the primary key to his success at capturing the breathtaking scenery and wildlife of this area. Without Alaska Waters’ Captain Jim Leslie's dedication, cooperation and expertise, most of his scenery and wildlife photos would have never been created. The result is an image bank of this area second to none. Some of his photographs can be seen on the Internet at www.alaskan.smugmug.com Ivan can be contacted with any photography oriented question at ivansimonek@hotmail.com or (907) 874-3152.

Memberships:

Alaska Travel Industry Association	Wrangell Chamber of Commerce	Permitted Outfitter Guide
Buy Alaska		Alaska Campground Owners Association

Vessels: All of our vessels are inspected by the United States Coast Guard and meet both U.S. Coast Guard regulations and Alaska Waters, Incorporated standards of excellence and safety.

Vessel Descriptions:
• 28’ twin engine aluminum Bentz Jet Boat with 610 hp. It is covered, heated and has a passenger capacity of 16.
• 28’ twin engine aluminum Bentz Jet Boat with 610 hp. It is covered, heated and has a passenger capacity of 18
• 26’ single engine aluminum Jet Boat with 400 hp. It is covered, heated and has a passenger capacity of 6.

Click The Chutine Warrior, for more information and photos of our new vessel which adds a whole new dimension to the meaning of comfort in Wilderness Adventure jet boating.

Captains: All of our captains/guides are U.S. Forest Service permitted outfitter guides. All outfitter guides have Emergency Trauma Technician (or higher) medical certification. They are licensed and certified by the U.S. Coast Guard. They meet all of Alaska Waters Incorporated’s high standards of excellence and safety.

Safety & Fun:
1. True professionals will practice safe boating and guiding standards whether on the river, ocean or land while making your Alaska vacation a fun, exciting and exceptionally memorable experience. Our friendly and entertaining captains and guides enjoy sharing their love and knowledge of Alaska as well as the history, culture, botany and geology of areas visited.
2. Seasoned Alaskans with extensive outdoor wilderness experience, our captain/guides set the standard of excellence in professional guiding.
3. Alaska Waters’ guide training program ensures quality guides.
4. First Aid and CPR certification for all guides and all captain/outfitter guides have Emergency Trauma Technician (or higher) medical certification. All carry emergency first aid equipment and radios.
5. We are owner operated.
6. A safety orientation is given to all of our guests prior to departure.
7. We are a “Family Friendly” company. Our captains, guides and customer service agents have experience and enjoy working with families and guests of all ages.

Outdoor Ethics: Southeast Alaska is our ancestral home. Alaska Waters Inc. practices "leave no trace" ethics and respects the ancient, subsistence life style practiced by all of Alaska’s indigenous peoples.
Here are a few things to consider when choosing an adventure tour company/outfitter guide:
1. Does the outfitter stress safety and have a good safety record?
2. Does the company offer a menu of services and offer exceptional customer service?
3. Are they candid about cancellation and rescheduling policies?
4. Are they locally owned and operated with an Alaskan staff?
5. Do not shop by price alone; low prices for services often means low budget guides with minimal experience, inferior equipment and compromised services.

Responsibility Disclaimer: Although every precaution is taken to safeguard you and your belongings, remote wilderness adventure trips involve inherent risks and dangers which are beyond our control.  Alaska Waters, Inc.  shall assume no responsibility for personal injuries, deaths or loss of personal property.