RAINBOW TROUT FISHING THE KENAI RIVER

Rainbow trout fishing the Kenai river is always something I look forward too, even on day 100 I still find the motivation to get gear together and make my way to the river.  It is always helpful to see the river when the water is very low.  At Cooper Landing the Flow was around 600 CFS and below Skilak lake it was flowing around 840 CFS.  This gives me a lot of information for the following guide season on where rainbow trout might be holding. We picked up a few rainbow trout around Princess rapids on the upper Kenai River.  The temperature was in the low 20’s all morning and eventually came up to were we could fish without freezing up to bad.   Thanks to the Jet-boil we were able to take a break and have some hot coffee. KENAI RIVER RAINBOW TROUT Not removing the fish from the water on very cold days is a great idea, plus it’s much better for your hands!   I’m sure that leeches and flesh flies would have picked a few fish up but there were a lot of silver salmon spawning.  We knew that we would be fighting almost dead silvers all day were we were fishing if we used streamers.   Egg patterns seemed to be the ticket and we didn’t pick up many silvers at all.  Both dead egg patterns and fresh egg patterns picked up a few rainbow trout and dolly varden. TIGHT LINES, SCOTT SAGER 907-382-6808

KENAI RIVER FLY FISHING

alaska rainbow trout fishing
kenai river fly fishing
        Headed to the Kenai river fly fishing for a few days this weekend.  The Kenai River rainbow trout have been feeding on flesh, egg, and leech patterns.  Hopefully the temps will allow us to get some full days of fishing in.  Though it is not going to be as warm as it has been all week we expect the bite to be on! The Silver salmon continue to spawn and I look for the Rainbow trout to be predictable and hold up behind them.  Food sources aren’t as good as they have been in August and septrmber so finding a concentration of fish will be key.  Fishing in harsh conditions in Alaska is the norm.  When preparing for your fishing vacation make sure that you pack good layers of clothing and rain gear.  Prepare for the worse and hope for the best is the best frame of mind to be in.   The  fishing season is well on its way and that means being outdoors most of the time!   If you are interested in finding out more on booking your guide trip this year give us a call at 907-382-6808 or send us an email at scott@driftingonthefly.com. tight lines, Scott

ALASKA KENAI RIVER FLYFISHING

Cold feet Alaska Kenai river flyfishing in the Spring is a great time of year to get your streamer fix.  Fishing on the Kenai river is way different than it is during the summer months.  Most of the silver salmon are done spawning by now but there are a few fish still in the river.  I only noticed about a half dozen fish last weekend in the area I was fishing.  I chose to swing leeches and minnow patterns on this outing.  An olive leech caught the only fish of the day. rainbow troutI was by myself when this nice Kenai river rainbow trout slammed my leech pattern.  When the water is this low and clear I spend more time looking for rainbows than I do casting.  These fish are spooky and if you can spot a fish and cast to it you are more likely to catch it than just slinging line blindly in the water.  Look for flashes, dark shapes, spooked bait fish, spawning salmon, etc.  Once you train your eye, spotting fish becomes easier than you would think. Spring and the kenai river guide season is well on its way now! Scott www.driftingonthefly.com 907-382-6808

FLY TYING KENAI RIVER

  FLY TYING KENAI RIVER PATTERNS: This is just one of the patterns I keep in my box for fishing the kenai river.  Often times I will switch my fly every few minutes until I find something that the fish are really keying in on!  This particular pattern has landed many fish for me on the kenai river and many other rivers across the country.  fly-tying-trout-003 Rainbow trout on the the Kenai River and other system in Alaska feed on leech patterns aggressively in the spring.  Early trout season on the Kenai river can be a streamer fisherman’s paradise!There are many leech pattern available that will work as well as this one.  Bunny leeches are fast and fun to tie. For this particular fly you will need: -black zonker strip -black dubbing -black hackle -copper flash -lead body wrap, if desired -lead eyes, if desired I chose a size 6 streamer hook and a small set of lead eyes for this fly. Colors and sizes can very day by day so when you feel you have enough of one color switch to another. Give us a call to hook up your next kenai river or many other Alaska fishing trips. Tight lines, Drifting on the Fly