The Kenai
Alaska Trout Guides home water, the Kenai, flows 65 miles from lake to ocean. We choose to live, work and fish the Kenai because of the enormous Rainbow Trout that call this watershed home. In addition to the monster Rainbows the Kenai hosts returns of four of the five Pacific Salmon species each year (Chum Salmon is the only species left out), resulting in phenomenal salmon fishing possibilities from early spring to late fall. The river itself flows out of Kenai Lake in Cooper Landing, Alaska where it begins its 65 mile southerly journey to Cook Inlet. The fishable water on this waterway are as diverse as the anglers that are drawn to the unforgettable turquoise waters each year.

The “Upper Kenai River” (upstream from Skilak Lake) is a maze of braids, gravel bars, islands, class III rapids, and beckoning back channels. This stretch of river is attacked from drift boats and is one of the most popular fly fishing areas in the world. If wading and casting is your forte this is the place for you.

The “Middle Kenai River” (downstream of Skilak Lake to Bings Landing) is a large body of water that hosts a compilation of gravel bars, long deep runs, islands, and secretive back channels. Though not a wade fisherman’s dream, this area produces more Rainbow Trout over thirty inches each year than any other stretch of water in the world. Fished from either drift or power boats this is your best shot at 15 pound plus Rainbows, which often stretch the tape to over 30 inches.
The “Lower Kenai River” is wide and swift. This is where the largest King Salmon in the world are targeted. Tidally affected, this stretch of water is ruled by the power boats trolling large baits. The most popular of all the stretches of river, the “Lower River” has been dubbed the Super Bowl of freshwater fishing. The competition from other anglers is as high as anywhere in the country, with hundreds of boats hitting the river each day. If you are looking for a World Record King Salmon this is your only option. But if you want a peaceful day on the river the “middle” or “upper” river is your best bet.

The Russian River
The Russian River is a clear water stream that flows quickly out of the mountains surrounding Cooper Landing Alaska. The upper reaches of the Russian offer a beauty few trout streams could ever match. It is classic fly fishing water with boulders, short & long runs, gravel bars and islands. It is a fairly easy river to wade fish. The Russian River hosts a large number of Native Rainbows as well as a large Sockeye Salmon run. This is a great river to fish in early summer when the trout are feeding predominantly on terrestrials and nymphs. This river offers excellent dry fly and nymph fishing opportunities. Though busy at times, the Rainbow fishing on the Russian can be extraordinary on any given day.

 

****In order to give you the best trip possible and depending on the season, weather, fish numbers, or boat traffic, Alaska trout Guides may work on a number of waterways in Alaska.