July 14 – July 31 Kenai and Kasilof Rivers, Alaska

Alaska King Salmon

King Salmon fishing on the Kasilof River during the 3rd week was nothing short of awesome.  Happy clients and nice native Alaska Kings was commonplace.  Nigel found two big fish that were measured, photographed, and RELEASED!  Drift Away Fishing is always very excited when we can release big fish so they can spawn and spread their genetics for future generations of Alaska King Salmon fishing

 

There were a couple days of extremely high tides, which made for some tougher fishing, but the guides of Drift Away Fishing persevered and made rods bend.  As the week unfolded tides dropped, and the fish came charging in.  We ended the season with each guide getting several opportunities at fish and some legends were hooked, but did the big fish thing and kept heading up river to spawn.  It is very humbling to get spanked by a big powerful fish!  As always it is sad to see King season come to an end, but exciting to think about the next year to hurry up and get here.

Kenai River Rainbow Trout

Well the theme of great Rainbow Trout fishing on the Kenai River since its opening on June 11 has not slowed!  We are ecstatic about the quality of fish and numbers of fish hooked.  Most think that Rainbow Trout fishing in July is not that good…check out our photos, the proof is in the pudding.  Fact:  we can find big Trout and good numbers all through July.  Week 3 and week 4 displayed mid September quality!  We highly encourage you to fish with us during this time to see for yourself.  Our guests did not complain about catching world class Rainbow Trout when it was 70 and sunny!  The best part?  August and September are right around the corner, we still have openings in the end of August and early September.  Book now before it is too late!

 

Kenai River Red Salmon

As always the Reds are show pleaser and freezer filler.  Week 3 and 4 delivered great Sockeye Salmon fishing on the Kenai as usual.  If fast action and delicious Salmon are what you are thinking about then get on board for a great trip on the Kenai!  Better yet?  Why not book a Trout/Red Salmon combo trip on the Kenai River for the full mind melter experience.

July 1 – July 13   Early July on the Kenai and Kasilof Rivers

Kenai River Rainbow Trout Fishing

What a season so far! Early July has shown no signs of slow Trout fishing on the Kenai River.  When most think that this is a horrible time to fish Trout, we at Alaska Drift Away get creative, and are continuing to find nice Rainbow Trout and 20+ fish days!  One of the many perks is the lack of others fishing Trout during this time, so we have the river mostly to ourselves.  Fly fishing and float fishing has been equally productive methods to the madness.  If you like hard fighting fish on an amazing river, then get in on the action!  Here is some eye candy from the past 13 days; this should make a believer out of you…..

 

Kasilof River King Salmon

So far the Kasilof 2nd run of King Salmon seems to be right on par.  We are seeing some nice chrome fish entering the river despite the insanely high tides (23ft highs).

1-4 fish getting hooked a day has been the average.  Typically this time of year can be scratchy as we are still in the early part of the run, however this is also the time that some of the biggest Kings get hooked.  As we draw into the 3rd week, the mega tides are subsiding and we anticipate some good fishing.

August – Fast and Furious Rainbow Trout Action!

Early August

Early August on the Kenai River in Alaska is almost identical to late July.  Trout are still feeding heavily on Red Salmon eggs and flesh, and still hanging out in the same zones.  High numbers of fired up Rainbows can still be expected as well as sharing the company of some Trophy Kenai Beasts.

One big difference between July and August Bows is the lack of diversity. Huh? August marks the beginning of bead warfare. Kenai Trout are fat, happy, and have the luxury to be selective about which food source they want.  Dead drifting egg patterns via fly stick or float rod is where it’s at. 

Kenai River Rainbows absolutely love salmon eggs; it’s their favorite!  These little round morsels pack a readily accessible amount of fat and protein.  It is possible to only fish egg patterns year round and have success.

Middle August

Mid August is the time of the month when things get a touch tricky.  Rainbows are in transition; the Red Salmon run is a slow trickle while Kings are starting to move on spawning beds.  That being said much of the Red food source is scattered and diminishing while the next major food source, King eggs, are sparse and inconsistent.

Rainbows are moving between King beds and Red Salmon food catchment areas.  Here one day, or one hour, and gone the next becomes par for the course.  The key for success is staying focused, persistent, cover different water, and don’t get caught in the change up. (Getting caught in the change up = switching up patterns too often)

Don’t worry typically this transition phase doesn’t last long and soon the King Salmon will be spawning.

End of August

Once the King Salmon move onto their beds and consistently begin spawning the Kenai River turns into a heavy metal Disney Land.  Rainbow Trout are hanging below Kings and having an egg eating party.   You can actually see these fish getting fatter by the day!  High numbers of fat, super charged Rainbow Trout are ready to put your skills to the challenge.  Much like early August this time of year will boost 100+ fish days!

 We find Trout hanging out in extremely fast water, middle of the river, anywhere there are active King beds.  It is unbelievable how fast of water you can find Bows hanging out in, but if the food source is there they don’t mind working a bit harder to put on the pounds.

August is an amazing time to experience Rainbow Trout on the Kenai River.  The days are still long and warm, fishing is great, and the tourist crowds are beginning to dwindle. 

Kenai in July = Secret time for Trophy Rainbow Trout!

When most anglers think of July on the Kenai River visions of huge Kings, thick runs of Red Salmon, and a crowded river come to mind.   The above mentioned is true to some degree, however, certain times during July can produce days that will rival the legendary fall Rainbow Trout fishery!

Proper Flys and Patterns

The Kenai River is kind of like a smorgasbord of possible options to attract Rainbows.  Streamers/Leech patterns, flesh flys, and egg patterns will all work, the key is knowing what to use where.  In an average day we will fish all three, each pattern having great success depending if you go up or down river.  Choose the wrong pattern on a given section of river, and you will see tumble weeds blowing around your indicator.

Early July (July 1 – 7)

Our last post talked about the June fishery, so lets pick up where we left off.  Early July will still fish much like June, by this time almost all Bows are done spawning and searching for whatever food they can find.  Typically the water levels are still rising offering more places for Trout to hide and really displacing the amount of food available.  Finding holes with numbers of Rainbows in them is still happening, but the more we slide into July the less food is available, covering lots of water is now a priority to finding quality fish.

Mid July (July 9- 15)

Now we have our work cut out.  The Rainbows are spread out over 40+ miles of river, food sources are at a low making the Trout a touch grumpy, but they are still there and need to eat.  This is when an angler can take a tough situation and turn it into a great day!  Not much food + hungry Trout = desperate Bows with their guard down!  Throughout the course of a day you will find that fresh and old patterns will work about the same.  One section of river will be more productive with fresh, while another will be better with old.  The trick is to have both out and be patient.  Don’t switch up because your buddy is doing better in one section, wait, your time will come.

Late July (July 16 – 31)

This is probably the sweet spot for big Rainbow Trout.  Red Salmon are now entering the river in numbers, and the banks are littered with folks trying to fill the freezer with this delicious salmon.  This is why the fishing gets awesome, lots of food for very hungry Trout.  It is custom practice to fillet your fish at the riverbank and throw the carcass and scraps into the river.  The reason for this is to keep bears at bay and the carcasses are consumed by most of the Kenai River resident life forms. 

Dead drifting large flesh flys along the riverbank will produce amazing results!  The Kenai turns into a never ending buffet of fresh flesh and eggs and the Trout are packing on the pounds.   There is no doubt when a bow hits your fly, these fish are so ramped up they almost rip the fly rod out of your hand.  Hold on the fight is just beginning, once they realized they’re hooked an amazing display of power and ninja moves follow.  Packed full of protein, Kenai Rainbows demonstrate why they are some of the baddest Trout in the world!