Captain Ryan grew up on small family dairy farm in Mahnomen, Minnesota, the son of Larry and Eileen Refshaw. Along with three older brothers and an older sister, Ryan learned early about the value of getting up early and working long days. On the farm he developed an appreciation and love for the outdoors. His spare time and special moments, involved fishing or hunting with family and friends, including the McNamee (Captain Chuck) family whose farm was only miles away.
After a few years of listening to Chuck’s tales of fishing in Alaska, Ryan became eager for a chance to see it for himself. In 1998, he took a deckhand job. He had such an exciting and fun experience, that he couldn’t wait to get back up here and do it again. He graduated to captain in 2001. Ryan moved to Sitka full time where he met his wife Greta. They married in 2004 and started their family in 2006, the same year Ryan bought his own boat – “Skute”. His family has grown to three kids, Dane, Ella, and Dellane, as well as Chief the Labrador dog.
“My greatest enjoyment is still taking family, and friends, (many of them clients), out in my boat, showing them the beauty of Sitka and the awesome fishing.”