Our History

For more than three decades, Papa Bear Adventures has been providing world-class hunting and fishing adventures for outdoor enthusiasts from all over the world. Our tours are unguided, with hunters and anglers having access to some of the most spectacular terrain imaginable.   

Established in 1985

Papa Bear Adventures began with a small plane in a small village 30+ years ago. Although the plane and the village were small, the heart, the dreams, and the Alaskan frontier were huge. In 1995, Karl Powers and a friend from Anchorage began a small outfitter with 4-5 fishing trips a season – serving about 30 fishermen. As the business grew, they brought in Karl’s brother, Steve Powers, to manage operations. Steve was a retired military Major with the 101st Airborne division. Steve’s background complimented the business, and that winter, Steve became the new co-owner with Karl. As Steve and Karl grew Papa Bear, they also grew in knowledge and experience. They learned that in an unpredictable and wild climate like Alaska, success was in the details. They believed the difference between a disaster and an adventure was their attitude. They worked tirelessly to build Papa Bear from a one-plane outfit with 4-5 fishing trips per year into what it is today — a thriving outfitting company with three planes that serves 400+ hunters and anglers every year.

Papa Bear Adventures Today

After 30+ years of delivering great Alaskan adventures, owner Justin Essian and his dedicated team are building on Papa Bear’s success with the same huge heart and dream in the wild Alaskan frontier.  

Justin grew up in a small Mid-Michigan city called Bad Axe. He was drawn to the business with his extensive background in Alaska Aviation, his love for the outdoors, as well as a passion for sharing Alaska with others.

After graduating as a pilot from Western Michigan University, Justin landed an internship at a remote outfitter in Bethel, Alaska, run by two brothers named Karl and Steve. He became hooked on the Alaskan way of life, and following his Papa Bear internship, Justin secured a pilot position at Hageland Air Service. Justin and his wife Jennifer found a ‘home’ in Alaska, and over the next twelve years, Justin gained experience as a pilot, check-airman, instructor, and finally Assistant Chief Pilot. He loved the challenge that the Alaskan conditions presented and loved the personal nature of flying a small aircraft. He realized that he wanted to be able to share Alaska with others — share the bounty, the beauty, and the wildness — ultimately, share the adventures that wild Alaska offers. 

Today, Papa Bear Adventures continues to be a thriving and growing business offering world-class Alaskan experiences. We take pride in setting up our clients on unforgettable adventures, while ensuring the highest degree of safety and preparation. We offer our clients the ability to rent as much equipment as they need to make traveling easier and adhere to strict safety guidelines.   

Justin serves as Owner, Director of Operations, and Chief Pilot. Building on the excellent years of work that Karl and Steve dedicated to Papa Bear, the knowledge and experience that they have gained through those years, plus the zeal, innovative ideas, and general excitement that Justin and his team bring to the table, we’re confident that Papa Bear’s best years are still ahead.