2025 Mat-Su Outdoorsman Show Preview

Mat-Su Outdoorsman Show 2025 is right around the corner, bringing together Alaska’s outdoor community along with the best in fishing, hunting, and outdoor gear. In this preview, we’re highlighting some of the must-see vendors and what to expect at this year’s event. Get ready for a weekend of adventure!

Written By Melissa Norris

Gathering at sport shows is a sure sign that the season is right around the corner. This April, we are partnering with the Mat-Su Outdoorsman Show as a sponsor of their event.

We’ll have an exhibitor booth at the Menard Center in Wasilla from April 11-13 where we will give away copies of this edition as our gift to outdoor enthusiasts who attend. I am personally excited to see a bunch of friends and readers. It’s also fun to meet new folks coming to the industry and outdoor fans seeking information, community, and resources. There’s no better place to do that in person than the Mat-Su Outdoorsman Show. Matt Rowley and his family have done a nice job of developing the event in the last several years with their business, MATSU Events, and that’s why we like to attend.

Some attendees are on a mission, eager to get to each business they’ve mapped out as a priority. Others sort of meander through and let their attention drift to what interests them on the spot. You probably have one or two items you’re trying to check off the list. Do you normally start outside or inside? Let’s start indoors with charters, peruse the booths, then head outside for a bite at one of the food trucks and check out the toys and recreational vehicles.

Fish Alaska Will Be at the Show—Come Say Hi!

If you are a regular supporter of our publications, websites, or social media, please stop to say hello. We’re on the turf side of the arena near the main entrance. For those who would like to subscribe or renew, we’ll be offering a BOGO special for all lengths of Fish Alaska and Hunt Alaska subscriptions. You can double the length of your order or give a gift to a friend. We appreciate the wealth of support we are given as a long-term Alaskan business and voice for outdoor families in Alaska. It is an honor to run Fish Alaska and Hunt Alaska with my brother for going on 25 years. It’s rewarding to share fun stories, insights, techniques, gear reviews, and help people plan adventures and to be a part of a great community.

I caught up with some industry peeps who are exhibiting at the Mat-Su Outdoorsman Show. Below is the skinny on what they’re bringing.

Lots of Alaskans book a charter or two every summer for a fun time that allows us to harvest quality food. There are a handful of charter businesses we work with throughout Southcentral, many who I have fished with, making it easy to want to endorse them. Each offers something slightly different, so here’s some intel to consider.


Charters: Whittier

Let’s start with the port closest to Anchorage and the Mat-Su Valley—Whittier. An exceptionally beautiful area, Whittier is typically no more than a couple hours each way by car, about 60 miles south of Anchorage. Fishing with Matt Kopec or one of his longtime captains, Paige and Reece, with Whittier Marine and Boat Rentals is an excellent choice. Matt has been in the charter business for well over two decades. A family man with a lovely wife and two teenage sons, the Kopecs live in Soldotna year round and are a quality Alaskan, family-owned charter and boat rental business that attracts similarly quality employees.

If you’re a capable boater and DIY saltwater angler, a great option in Whittier is to rent your own boat. Whittier Marine offers that service as well. Going in on a boat rental can be the most cost efficient option for a couple of Alaskan families seeking to harvest fish. Outside of fishing season, Whittier Marine offers spring black bear hunting transports in Prince William Sound and fall Sitka deer.

Charters, Lodging, and 
Activities: Seward

Taking a left at the fork in the road, the seaside town of Seward draws thousands of visitors each summer, many who live in Alaska. There are ample fun things to do in Seward, including great fishing. A couple of those fun things to do fall under the Seward Hospitality Group umbrella. They’re a group of businesses that specialize in showing off the best of Seward. On the fishing side, Puffin Fishing Charters is one of their companies. They are a 25-plus-year-old business with highly experienced captains.

The Seward Hospitality Group also owns several lodging choices in Seward, so you’re bound to find a place to stay when you’re heading down for a couple days. They include the Marina Motel, the Van Gilder Hotel, and Murphy’s Alaskan Inn. Each property is centrally located in Seward with easy access to most attractions, including the boat harbor for fishing.

Just up the road, the group has also added Alaska Adventure Park to their repertoire. It’s a chance for people to really experience adventures. Outdoor activities include an aerial park, mountain biking, kayaking, zorbing, a mud obstacle-course run, and climbing walls. You can also play archery tag, disc golf, and other popular yard games and activities. Stop and see them at the show for your family Seward staycation.

Discover All That Seward Has to Offer

If you want to get hardcore about your fishing in Seward, or more accurately fill the freezer in one fell swoop, look into a new offering from Big Dan’s Fishing Charters and Lodge. Overnight trips mean double limits and they have added a Seward overnight-trip option targeting king salmon, halibut, and bottomfish from the third week of May through the middle of June on Thursday/Fridays and Saturday/Sundays. Groups of up to 12 anglers will be on their big, fast Brix catamaran, the Game Changer. The overnights with Big Dan’s include meals so you just need your license, stamps, and gear, and you can harvest most of the fish your family needs for the freezer.

This charter business has grown over the last ten years with Dan and Sarah Spies running their operation. What started as a six-pack in Homer has grown to include a full-time six-pack boat in Seward, plus their catamarans the Double Down and the Game Changer that are kept in Homer most of the summer with a little movement during the season. They provide transporter services for spring bear hunting, fall deer hunting, and also have Kenai riverfront lodging with 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom private vacation rental options and do-it-yourself (DIY) river fishing. The facility is quite extensive now with its full fish-processing room, merchandise shop, riverfront deck, and fishing platforms. They even loan gear to their guests! Make sure you visit Dan and Sarah at the Mat-Su Outdoorsman Show. They get good reviews because they take care of their clients.

Charters and Activities: Homer

Big Dan’s might be excited about their added Seward trips this spring, but most anglers meet them in Homer where they run the Double Down and the Game Changer for day trips and overnight excursions. Many folks love getting down to Homer to spend a few days each summer. Traveling in-state is part of what we locals love to do. The Homer Chamber of Commerce and their cohorts at the Homer Marine Trades Association and Bay Weld Boats would encourage you to visit Homer June 7 when they’re hosting their first Homer HarborFest & Boat Show.

In addition to live music, there will be food, beer, and retail vendors, local artists, and the marine trades down in Homer are coming in to show their support as the fabric of Homer’s local economy with a Homer Boat Show. It sounds like it’s going to be a good time for their community. You could plan to arrive in Homer in time for the HarborFest on the 7th, and book a halibut charter for the 8th or 9th with Big Dan’s at the Mat Su Show and get the most out of your trip to Homer.

 Charters: Ninilchik/Deep Creek

Bottom Line Charters with captains Ernie and Bryan Kirby is a family-owned outfit who have fished from Deep Creek and Anchor Point for over 30 years. They are some of the nicest people and they live up to their motto of: “Making people happy one fish at a time.” Last summer, I went on a razor clam digging trip with Ernie and we had a blast. Bottom Line Charters offers select dates with appropriate clam tides if your mouth is watering for some razors. They’re also established halibut, bottomfish, and salmon charter captains and delightful sightseeing and bear-viewing guides. Maybe you have family coming to town this summer or maybe you just need some good fish in your freezer. Jump on one of the Alumaweld six-pack boats with either Kirby captain, and you’re in for a good time.

DIY Fishing/Hunting

While some attendees chat with charters, your focus for the show might be improving your DIY adventures. There are several Alaskan brands at the Mat-Su Outdoorsman Show this April that can help you do that.

The first is Pristine Ventures, owned by our longtime friend, Larry Bartlett. You know LB as an author, educator, film maker, and product designer. Among Larry’s inspirational work is the creation of the PR-49 packraft and several other intentionally useful backcountry rafts. He traditionally offers the best pricing of the year on his rafts during outdoor shows and the cost of shipping is eliminated, saving hundreds more. Larry has created or inspired several other popular recreational tools like T.A.G. bags for meat field care and the LB Flex Sled meat carrying pulk sled that rolls up for wilderness transport.

This spring, Larry is being awarded an honorary Doctor of Education degree from the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF). Larry has instructed Arctic survival and medical physiology at UAF. He’s also considered an expert in meat-care science, wild-meat salvage, preservation, and transport in wild settings. Chat with Larry at the show and you’re sure to pick up at least one handy tip to improve your hunts and backcountry fishing trips.

More Great Alaskan Businesses to Check Out

You’ve heard the adage, “Take care of your gear and your gear will take care of you.” That’s exactly how the idea for Alaskan Gun Guard came to be. After years of cleaning optics and actions from mud and debris in the field, Lee and Connie Bridgman decided to design a product that protects your guns and optics from that weather intrusion while still allowing easy access. They don’t use any velcro. Their design relies on high powered magnets set so rain and gunk stays off your gun. They have also created a product useful for many outdoor enthusiasts called the Alaskan Coupler Guard.

It keeps trailer couplers dry and highlights their presence when the hitch is left exposed—your shin will thank you. With several models of each product to select from, you’re sure to find one that meets your needs. Lee and Connie enjoy exhibiting at the Mat-Su Show. They especially love meeting local ladies who spend time in the field and understand how valuable their products are in Alaska. Designed and manufactured in North Pole, these products are Alaska Made through and through. Visit with Lee and Connie at the show for an in-person demo of their innovative protective-gear.

Innovative Ammo Service

If your mantra is “locked and loaded” another booth to check out is 907 Ammo. This veteran-owned, Alaskan-family company established in 2024, is the first of its kind dedicated to sourcing quality ammo at competitive prices that Alaskans can buy online. Shipping is super fast. In fact, if you order before 2 pm, they ship same day with next day delivery. Their business is focused on offering the best ammo prices in Alaska, even remaining competitive with lower 48 pricing. They love supporting locally where possible and work with companies they respect and admire.

They carry a large variety of top brands like Federal, Hornady, and Winchester but also carry harder to find brands like Weatherby, Super Vel, and Alaska’s own, 49th Cartridge Company products. They stock many other common brands and calibers. Meredith and James Lewis will be exhibiting at the show to share their service with Alaskan outdoor enthusiasts.

Even More to Explore at the Mat-Su Outdoorsman Show

Space is always the limitation in our magazine and at the show. It’s hard to list every booth and seminar we want to include. There are many fine people in our industry with great services or products. I am looking forward to joining some of them at the show—longtime Alaskan brands like Sagebrush Dry Gear, quality charter outfits like Seward Fishing Club, Ninilchik Charters, Big Ray’s, Aurora Charters, and Afishunt, Sarah Stallone from Accurate Advantage, local boating manufacturers and fabricators, and river guides and lodges from the Kenai and throughout the Valley. The exhibitor list goes well beyond hunting, fishing, boating, and camping, with various Alaskan artists, home services, medical groups, and more. All I know for sure is the list is long of folks I am looking forward to seeing again. Good thing we’ll be there all three days.

Get Outside (At the Mat-Su Outdoorsman Show and in Season!)

Alaskans are all about getting outside and often that can be more comfortable and much more effective with the right recreational tools, AKA “toys.” Are you thinking about making the leap into an RV this summer? How about getting set up with the ultimate hunting rig? Wandering the parking lot at the Mat-Su Outdoorsman Show, you’re sure to find some options. Camper Valley RV will be there with new 2025 models of RVs, toy haulers, trailers, 5th wheels, and truck campers. In addition to the best pricing of the year at the shows, the financing available for the show weekend will save you thousands of dollars. If you’re buying toys, it’s worth the trip to the show to compare your options.

Show financing should carry over to other higher ticket items at the show, too. If you’ve been thinking about investing in a four-wheeler, side-by-side, or snowmachine, Alaska Motorsports Equipment (AME), the sister company to Alaska Mining & Diving Supply (AMDS) will be on hand to talk shop. AME carries full lines of Arctic Cat, Suzuki, ARGO, Mahindra, and now CF Moto brand recreational vehicles. This is big news for our friends at AME.

A Great Selection of Recreational Vehicles

CF Moto puts the top technology for four wheelers, side by sides and motorcycles in the hands of consumers at reasonable pricing. AME is also growing their “Do-it-all Alaska” equipment lineup to include durable Yanmar Compact Equipment for tackling household projects. AME will have some very special pricing and the best selection of the season. Employee owned AME is dedicated to customer service and top products and serving Alaskans year round work and play needs—From Arctic Cat sleds to Husqvarna chainsaws, to tractors, and now skid steers and excavators.

While you’re outside drooling on the toys, you’ll want to tour the Bay Weld boats on display. Boy, these folks make the highest quality custom boats in our neck of the woods. It’s evidenced in the 32’ x 10.5’ landing craft pilot house model they are bringing to the show as well as the 31’x10.5’ V-berth style monohull recreational boat you will see. They’ve really grown their business into something special and helped build Homer’s maritime community. If you are stupid-rich or fall into a pile of money, get one of these Bay Weld boats and spend your days offshore.

Safety and Security

Speaking of Homer-owned businesses, anyone spending time offshore in Southcentral or Prince William Sound should have a membership to the SeaTow Southcentral program owned by Alaskans Trey and Alyssa Hill. Their important service provides unlimited towing with no distance or dollar limits and priority service to members. A small annual fee of $249 ensures your emergency towing if this need should unfortunately arise. This small fee for peace of mind is discounted down to $229 for the Mat-Su Outdoorsman Show. Make sure you swing by their booth to add or renew your membership. You do not want to get stuck without them.

Alaska Land Opportunities

The State of Alaska Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Land Sales will be present sharing land opportunities for their 2025 auction. The bidding period usually runs from June through October with the auction towards the end of October. They also have an Over-The-Counter program with parcels in certain areas at a fixed price. If you are looking for recreational property or eventually want to live more remotely, stop and see what the folks at the Alaska DNR have available. Ask them about their Remote Recreational Cabin Staking program where you can lease in a designated area until they can complete a survey, and then you can purchase the land at market value.

Associations and the Folks Who Have Got Our Backs

Several statewide nonprofits who do the good work of lobbying for our rights and communicating environmental conservation appear at the shows throughout the state each year. This includes folks like the Alaska Outdoor Council, Resident Hunters of Alaska, and the Safari Club International, Alaska Chapter. These organizations are often running fundraiser raffles and signing up members. The Kenai River Sportfishing Association is one of those advocacy groups and they’ll be signing up free memberships and spreading the word of their upcoming projects.

Trip Planning

If you have some in-state bucket list trips you’re trying to put together for the summer, the Mat-Su Outdoorsman Show draws several of the state’s chambers of commerce and visitor bureaus. On the docket for the Mat-Su Show, Explore Fairbanks is the main source for area planning in the Interior. Stop by and chat with knowledgable locals. They’ll have all the insight for any service or outfitter you need to make a trip happen. You can also seek out representatives from the Greater Whittier Chamber of Commerce, Soldotna Chamber of Commerce, and Homer Chamber of Commerce, all present with their respective community expertise. You are also welcome to come find me for recommendations. We’re also very familiar with Alaska’s communities.

For the Ladies

I saved the best for last, or at least the best for many of the Alaskan lady outdoor enthusiasts I know. Fishe Wear will be presenting their latest apparel designs featuring the love of fishing. Most of their gear is functional activewear and accessories with a bold design twist for Fishe gals. They always offer special pricing at these events, so swing through to find out if what you’ve been saving for is on sale. They’ll have their latest designs in tow.

Your lady not with you at the show this year? Surprise her with a gift to say she’s your favorite outdoor partner. Their sister company, Women’s Flyfishing, offers a range of female group trips and some couples options if you want to thank your wife or loved one in a big way for all she does! Ladies looking to learn more about flyfishing should investigate these options as well as the local classes that Women’s Flyfishing offers.

Seminars

The seminars for the show are just starting to come together at the time we go to press, but at the beginning of April, we’ll share what we know via email and social media. Here is some of what I have heard so far on the seminar schedule: Captain Ernie Kirby of Bottom Line Charters will be sharing a Halibut 101 presentation that will cover gear and technique.

Sarah Stallone from Accurate Advantage will be presenting a Bear Aware seminar. I took Accurate Advantage’s Bear Safety class several years ago. It included firearm and bear-spray instruction and practice, which obviously won’t be part of the seminar, but it was an excellent class and Sarah is very knowledgeable.

Bodey Turner from Northern Lights Armory is going to share how to Stop the Bleed in life-threatening situations. I hope you never need this skill, but I also hope you have it if you do. I should probably lurk in the back of that class.

Learning and Connecting as an Outdoor Community

There are some seminars I want to catch about solar energy. At the All Off Grid seminar with Sarah Lochard on Friday and then on Saturday and Sunday, you can get solar-energy pointers from Renewable Energy Systems. My boyfriend and I have a growing interest in solar energy for back-up purposes in our home and this seems like a good place to start.

Saturday afternoon, Caleb Martin from the Alaska Outdoor Council will shed light on the Board of Game process, including how to write proposals for changing regulations and how to become involved to bring about meaningful change. This is another great opportunity to learn.

One seminar you shouldn’t miss is 5pm on Saturday. SalmonState’s Ryan Astalos and Jackie Arnaciar Boyer paint a picture of the effects of trawl fishing on Alaska. Trawlers tow nets the size of a football field through the water column, catching everything in their path. Learn more about this major problem and what can be done.

Admission

Admission to the show is $10 for adults and $5 if you have a valid military ID. Children 12 and under are free. On Sunday morning from 10 a.m. to noon, admission is free for everybody.

Space is always the limitation in our magazine and at the show. It’s hard to list every booth and seminar we want to include. There are many fine people in our industry with great services or products. I am looking forward to joining some of them at the show—longtime Alaskan brands like Sagebrush Dry Gear, quality charter outfits like Seward Fishing Club, Ninilchik Charters, Big Ray’s, Aurora Charters, and Afishunt, Sarah Stallone from Accurate Advantage, local boating manufacturers and fabricators, and river guides and lodges from the Kenai and throughout the Valley.

The exhibitor list goes well beyond hunting, fishing, boating, and camping, with various Alaskan artists, home services, medical groups, and more. All I know for sure is the list is long of folks I am looking forward to seeing again. Good thing we’ll be there all three days.

Mat-Su Outdoorsman Show 2025

Menard Center, Wasilla, AK April 11-13, 2025

Show Hours:

• Friday: Noon – 6 p.m.

• Saturday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

• Sunday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Admission:

• Adults: $10

• Military (with ID): $5

• Kids under 12: Free

Melissa Norris

About the Author Melissa Norris

Melissa Norris is the founder and Publisher of Fish Alaska and Hunt Alaska magazines. She has over two decades of experience fishing all over Alaska, writing about her time in the field, testing gear, planning trips and cooking and harvesting wild Alaska seafood. In addition to writing tons of content for the magazine and our website, Melissa heads our digital platforms and leads the design team.

For Melissa Norris’s full bio, read more.