Kenai Guided Fresh Water Fly Fishing

World renowned for its Chinook, Coho, and sockeye salmon, as well as for trout, the Kenai River is the most popular sport fishery in Alaska and offers some of the best angling opportunities in the world that you can drive to. What time of year and week you decide to fish is important, since the fishery is carefully managed and there are peak season for each species of fish. On certain days, guides are excluded; other days are drift boat only. If escapements goals are not met, restrictions on bait and fishing times can occur. Where you can fish from the bank , catch limits and catch-and-release seasons are all highly regulated, so be sure to obtain and read a copy of Fish & Game regulations.

The upper Kenai River is drift boat only, providing a peaceful float while fishing thru part of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge and state / private land.  There are excellent opportunities for rainbow trout, red and silver salmon in the upper river. This section starts at Kenai Lake and ends at Skilak Lake.  On a guided trip you will most likely fish one part of this section.  In this section you can pull the boat over and bank fish.    Drift Boat fishing is more eco-friendly since there is no motor, and many consider it to be more peaceful and traditional

The Middle Kenai River is a drift and powerboat accessible as you fish thru the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge and state / private land.  On the Middle Kenai you can fly fish for some of the biggest rainbow trout in the world.  Fly Fishing for Silver and Red Salmon is very productive.  Salmon travel through and spawn in this section of river in great numbers. This section starts at Skilak Lake and ends at Soldotna Bridge.  On a guided trip you will probably fish one part of this section.  Depending on the time of the year drift or powerboat will be more effective.  Usually the salmon are fresher than the upper river because they have been in the river for a short duration of time.

The Lower Kenai River is also a drift and powerboat accessible river.  This section is the busiest section of the river.  Powerboat is the preferred choice of fishing transportation and terminal gear is the preferred choice of gear.  The Lower River is known for having the chance at a world record King Salmon which you don’t fly fish for.  You can however fly fish for rainbow trout and red salmon.  This section starts at Soldotna Bridge and travels to Cook  Inlet.  The Lower does has “Drift Boat” only fishing days on the lower river, which are non guide days.

Once you decide on how and when to fish, selecting the proper guide is important. A great resource are the two primary professional guide associations on the river, who support concepts of outdoor education, responsible stewardship of the resource, conservation, hunting & fishing ethics and other responsible practices. The two organizations are:

Kenai River Sport Fishing Association:     http://www.kenairiversportfishing.com/

Kenai River Guide Association:   http://www.krpga.org/

Once you spend a day on the Kenai River you will understand why fishermen come from around the world to experience this fresh water Salmon & Trout fishing paradise. There are Kenai River tributaries that equally productive fly fishing streams, such as the Moose River and Russian River. 

Alaska Drift Away Fishing: Alaska Drift Away Fishing offers guided fishing and fly fishing trips for salmon & rainbow trout on the Kenai & Kasilof Rivers. Located 2 hours south of Anchorage & 1-1.5 hours north of Homer.
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Alaska River Adventures: Fishing from drift boats on Alaska's Upper Kenai & Kasilof Rivers, we guide guests staying at Cooper Landing's most prestigious lodges. You can also chose one of our remote float fishing trips on Alaska's best wilderness rivers for an adventure in the real Alaska. For those who are more excited by the beauty of the river and wildlife viewing opportunities, we offer our scenic floats in the Wildlife Refuge.
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Big Sky Charters & Fish Camp: Big Sky is located in the heart of King Salmon country on the Kenai River in Sterling, Alaska. Big Sky is a family owned and operated Alaska fishing lodge. At Big Sky, you are provided with the finest equipment and excellent personal service. We strive to maintain a balance between the rustic Alaskan experience and the comforts of home.
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