ALASKSA AND KENAI RIVER SALMON FISHING Archives - Page 5 of 9

Kenai river sockeye salmon fishing

Posted on July 15, 2012 by Drifting-admin

Started the day of with a father daughter and father son kenai river sockeye salmon fishing trip. The kids were out of bed early and happy the be going fishing. We pulled into a good gravel bar on the Middle Kenai river to start our fishing trip Fish pushed by steadily and we managed to get a few. With a little assistance the kids each got a couple fish.

Young anglers enjoy Kenai river sockeye salmon fishing as much as anyone. What a great fishery to start off your fishing career!

Chrome Sockeye salmon are the best to eat. They are not as desirable the longer they are in the river.

Today’s trip was won on a free drawing at the Matanuska valley sportsmans show here in Alaska. I donated this trip the the Mat-su valley medical center to raffle off in their booth. Jeff Anderson of Alaska won the trip for 4 on the Kenai river. The kids were a blast catching sockeye salmon on the Kenai river today and I look forward to having them back on the boat. Tight lines, Scott Sager Www.driftingonthefly.com

Kenai river sockeye salmon

Posted on July 14, 2012 by Drifting-admin

Getting set up and read to fish for Kenai river sockeye salmon this morning! The boat parking on this gravel bar allows us to have our gear close by and access the boat for a break when needed. Current and depth play a real factor when choosing a spot to fish for kenai river sockeye salmon. Adjust your weight so that your fly is barely off the bottom. A 4-6 foot leader is very important as well, any shorter and you will not be covering the water that is needed. Sockeye salmon have to be hooked in the mouth so any fish that is not has to be released immediately. It is hard work some days and a foul hooked fish is tempting but understand that it is not worth it. The Kenai river sockeye salmon (reds) run is getting better every day. The last two days in a row 12,000 fish have entered the river for a total of over 70,000 fish. Book your kenai river sockeye salmon trip with Drifting on the Fly by calling or contacting us here on the site. If we do not answer leave a message and we will get back to you as soon as we get off the water. Tight lines Scott Sager Www.driftingonthefly.com

sockeye salmon fishing

Posted on July 13, 2012 by Drifting-admin

Hanging out at the boat launch on the Kenai river this morning. Had the boat launched early (O dark 30). Waited for an hour for the guest to show up. This usually isn’t a big deal but with the added pressure this year of red fisherman it was this morning. The gravel bar that I really like was filled up and I had no spot to fish. We spent some time running in the boat and was able to get a pretty good spot up river. One of my favorites in the area that I’m in. We’ve lost a few and missed a few but have not put any on the bank and we are half way through our day. with this being said, This year more than ever it’s important to make your start time! I want to see you catch fish about as bad as you want to catch them. Here is a shot of the guys flipping for sockeye salmon fishing on the Kenai river. Hope the second half of the day goes better. I know we will get a few.

Remember that felt soles are banned in the state of Alaska. If you plan to bring waders make sure that your wading boots have a vibram sole and not felt. Tight lines and good fishing, Scott Sager Www.driftingonthefly.com

Kenai river sockeye salmon fishing

Posted on July 12, 2012 by Drifting-admin

I was able to get on the same gravel bar today that I had yesterday and managed to scrape together my two limits. Kenai river Sockeye salmon fishing is still spotty but fish are passing up river in small spurts. Hard work and determination will pay off at the end of the day with a limit of reds (sockeye salmon). Look for better pushes of fish in the next few days.

When the numbers of fish are just starting to show up I prefer to move lower in the system and find a hard bend in the river. Usually with a hard bend in the river there tends to be a back Eddie and fish will hold up there. Get right above the Eddie in faster water and wait for fish to push by. This has payed off for me many times. Yesterday’s Kenai river red run estimate was 6500 fish for a total of 56,000 fish so far. When I’m not chasing king salmon, I am chasing reds in July. If you have any interest in a trip for either of these salmon give us a call at 907-382-6808 or check us out on the website at www.driftingonthefly.com

Kenai river sockeye salmon

Posted on July 11, 2012 by Drifting-admin

Today I fished for Kenai river sockeye salmon again, during the fast paced Alaska fishing season there are weeks when I don’t fish the same place twice. As I found yesterday the fish were in lower numbers but passing through in more consistent waves in the morning. By mid day it almost seemed to be over. The group I fished today did manage to get all their fish. I would say in 5 more days they will be easier to come by even though there are plenty of fish in the river to catch. We will see in the morning If the fish cooperate again! Reds aren’t the same as a big king salmon but they do make for an exciting day of fishing on the Kenai river and make an excellent dinner. The king salmon report is slow but when and if numbers improve we will be chasing them as well soon.

Tight lines and if you are in the area and would like to try your luck on a gravel bar this season for some hard fighting sockeye salmon check out our sight at www.driftingonthefly.com for more information on how to line up your fishing trip.

Hanging out on the Kenai river

Posted on July 10, 2012 by Drifting-admin

Hanging out on the Kenai river today waiting for a push of sockeye salmon to come our way.

We are still a few days away from the big push of second run of reds (sockeye salmon). On average the reds usually hit the river in big numbers by the 15th of July so our hopes of filling the limit aren’t way up there but we know with a little work that we get close to a limit anyways. We ended up picking up a couple fish today but we had to work for every one of them! Pulling into the gravel bar we did encounter this bald eagle feeding on a fresh carcass. As we got closer the eagle took off at the last second and flew away. Every time I See an Eagle go into flight close like this it wows me. How a bird this large can fly so easy?

I’m sure that the sockeye will hit the river any day with the predictions of the run as high as they are. I guess we will just have to wait and see what happens. It is very hard to know what kind of runs of salmon we will have year in and out. The only thing I can promise is that our gear will be in good working order and we will be in one of my most productive spots to keep our odds up for the whole trip.

Kenai river king salmon

Posted on July 8, 2012 by Drifting-admin

Headed up the Kenai river this morning in hopes of catching a handful of rainbow trout.

We are swinging black leeches today out of the boat and picking a few fish up here and there. Client and good friend Dan Goff sets the hook on the swing and line starts peeling. The fish swirled and we both new he had a very big fish on. This is probably Dan’s 20th+ trout trip on the Kenai river with me and he knows all to well how fast you can get schooled on a big fish. After just a short 3 minutes we new he had a 30-35 pound kenai river king salmon on. We cranked down the drag a little and grabbed the leader. Got a quick photo of the fish and released him immediately. What a great battle and it just goes to prove that you never know why you will latch on to when fly fishing the Kenai river.

The Catch and Release tool I use really comes in handy when you don’t want to put a fish in the net.

Line screaming off of Dan’s real from a Kenai River King Salmon.

Kenai river fishing

Posted on July 6, 2012 by Drifting-admin

kenai river fishing for rainbow trout was slower today but we did manage to hook a few and land a few! I found that swinging leeches with a sinking tip line got the most bites. The Kenai river is big and the fish are spread out more now. I found fish in the eddies and in the normal spots but no big concentration were found. Big bunny leeches and smaller flesh fly patterns seemed to be the ticket on a dead drift. Some days its a dead drift and some days it is on the swing. I will put an indicator on with a trusted pattern and run a dead drift and swing it at the end of the drift. If I see that most of my takes are on the swing I will take the indicator off and take more of a down and across approach.

This unlucky sockeye salmon decided to take a leech on the swing. After a long winter a fresh salmon on the BBQ is always looked forward too. A 10 to 12 pound fish on a 7 weight fly rod put up a great battle.

Kasilof river

Posted on June 27, 2012 by Drifting-admin

The Kasilof river has many fishing and wildlife viewing opportunities! Here is a picture of a bull moose grazing at the kasilof river boat launch this morning!

There is a lot of opportunity in Alaska to see wildlife. If you are on the highway or on the river or at your place of lodging keep in mind that it is “wildlife” and give them some space. To many time we see people running up to get a better picture or worse just stopping in the middle of the highway to get that snap shot. Be sure to pull off the road in a safe place and give wildlife plenty of room.

Wildlife along the Kasilof river is abundant and the opportunity to see a moose crossing the river or standing beside the boat launch is very high. Along with taking fishing trip for king salmon, silver salmon or steel head on the Kasilof river the photography possibilities are there as too. If the Kasilof river sounds like a place you would like to fish give us a call at 907-382-6808 or contact us here on the site.

Sockeye salmon fishing the Russian river

Posted on June 25, 2012 by Drifting-admin

Sockeye salmon fishing the Russian river is in full swing. The world famous Russian river is a beautiful place to check out and have a chance at a salmon or rainbow trout. Be prepared to have an encounter with a bear or two as well. On just a 30 minute hike this afternoon I encountered a small brown bear and her two cubs. Though i personally have never had a bad experience with a bear i always try to have some pepper spray with me just in case! You can pick some up at Wilderness way in Soldotna Alaska.

It’s very important to be familiar with the rules and regulations so that we can protect this valuable resource. Many times there will be posted signs like this one along the stream but do not rely on this. Carrying a set of Alaska state fishing regulations with you is very important.

When bears are around on the river quit fishing and give them some space. This will ensure that we do not teach them any bad habits or associations with humans that they will remember the rest of their lives. This alone is a great reason to hire a guide for your time on unfamiliar waters.