Kenai Fishing
Scott McMurren -- Jan. 2005
Alaska Travelgram | zoom@gci.net
Many anglers are surprised at the different species of fish available in and around the Kenai River.
There are rainbow trout, Arctic Char, silver salmon, red salmon, pink salmon, chum salmon and the giant King Salmon.
But it's more than that. If you come to Alaska and stop by a fly shop, they're likely to remind you of the
difference. "There's fishing...and then there's catching."
It's a common refrain.
Just ask the many folks who come year after year to fish the gin-bright streams of the Russian River,
which flows into the Kenai River just downstream from the Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge. The lodge,
in fact, is a great place to start your fishing adventure on the Kenai River.
If you're angling for a trophy-size rainbow trout, the Russian River is a perfect place to start.
Bring your hip waders, because you can walk the length of the river in search of rainbows. Other clear
water streams in the area, including Quartz Creek, offer great char and trout fishing.
If you want to drift through some of Alaska's most beautiful scenery while hooking into some great trout,
arrange for a drift boat charter on the upper Kenai River, which drifts right by the Kenai Princess Wilderness
Lodge. No motorized craft are allowed on this stretch of the river-- and you're likely to see moose, eagle and
maybe even a bear on your day float. Depending on the season, you can opt for salmon fishing. On the upper
reaches of the river, you can count on seeing beautiful red (sockeye) or silver (coho) salmon.
Even if you're not an avid angler, the scenic float is a "must do" on your Alaskan vacation. After floating
along the upper stretches of the river, there's a rough-and-tumble whitewater ride through the Kenai River
Canyon! It's a swift ride that ends up in Skilak Lake. Bring your camera!
Local Alaskans love the hiking and mountain biking available all around the Kenai River drainage. You
can follow the trails which parallel the Russian River up to a series of lakes that is a popular day hike.
The trails are well-maintained and mountain bikers can continue for several miles into the mountains.
Other trails lead up into the mountains over Resurrection Pass to Hope. As you're headed up into the
mountains, take your binoculars and keep your eyes open for Dall sheep along the steep slopes.
If you're seeking one of the giant King (Chinook) Salmon that return each year to the Kenai River,
make sure you have some heavy fishing line. Better yet, rely on one of the professional guides to get
you rigged up on the lower Kenai River.
The lower river is a completely different fishery. The glacier-fed Kenai River is a bright opaque aqua
color. Somehow, the fish can figure out which way to swim without bumping into the shore! Actually, many
of the guides have a sixth sense as well. You cannot see into the water, but the professional guides
seem to know exactly where the fish are!
While it's possible to fish for Kings on a fly, most of the successful anglers troll with eggs.
Once you get a fish on the line, you'll immediately understand why anglers return each year. It's a world-class
thrill to fight a giant fish that can tip the scales from 35-85 pounds!
If you need any more incentive, stop into one of the fine restaurants on the Kenai Peninsula and order
a salmon entree. You'll be ready with your rod and reel the very next morning!
Saltwater anglers can arrange for a charter trip into Cook Inlet for halibut or salmon. From the Kenai
River, you can choose to fish out of Seward in Resurrection Bay or Cook Inlet from Ninilchik. Seward
charters are more popular for silver salmon charters, while halibut lovers cast their lines in Cook
Inlet. Whether it's in Ninilchik, Anchor Point or further south in Homer, there are several ports
where charter boats can launch for a daylong fishing adventure.
While sport fishing is a cornerstone for any visit to the Kenai River area, the fishery once
hosted a thriving commercial operation. Near the mouth of the Kenai River, the old Ward's Cove
Cannery is being renovated as an artist's mall and restaurant called Kenai Landing. Stop in and
learn about the history of commercial fishing in the Kenai area.
Afterwards, drive into Kenai and visit the art display at the Kenai Visitor's and Cultural
Center. Many Alaskan artists are featured in this year's exhibit, dubbed "Native Arts Now".
In addition to oil and water colors, the show features several media, including sculpture, fiber
and acrylic.
If you're an angler, get ready for some great fishing! Bring your sturdiest gear and get ready
for some "catching"! If you're along for the ride, bring a big appetite, your camera and your sense of adventure!
About Scott McMurren
Scott McMurren lives and works in Anchorage, Alaska, with his wife Christy and their two boys, Drew and David.
Traveling around the big state of Alaska is a passion of Scott's: from Ketchikan to Barrow, from Adak to Nome,
from Cold Bay to Wrangell and lots of places in-between.
Scott produces the Alaska Travelgram Newsletter and alaskatravelgram.com website. He also writes
a weekly travel column for a local newspaper, the Anchorage Daily News. It can be viewed online each Sunday,
in the "Life" section: http://www.adn.com
Or, tune in to KFQD each Saturday morning between 9-10am.
It's 750 on the AM dial in Anchorage.
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