The Kenai served up some epic fishing in 2009 and hopefully you got in on some of it. A brief recap of the season:

Trout fishing was hot and heavy right from the opener. This had a lot to do with one of the most massive early runs of reds in years. The bag limit for reds was increased and if they were your target you likely got a work out and maybe broke a rod or two. By early July the water dropped and cleared and a week of ultra-tough fishing followed. The big slabs were there but if you could see them, they could see you. Super stealth techniques were the rule of the day.

What brought the humbling fishing to an end was water. Lots of water. Alaska got hit by a heat wave and the river rose up givng anglers some much needed camoflage. The game was back on. As July turned into August, the second run reds flooded the river. A month of crazed trout fishing followed. By September, it seemed like things couldn't keep going at this pace but they did. Gorgeous trout and Dolly Varden fat from a season of eating and still trying to pack on a few more pounds before the dark time. As the last of the sockeye thinned out, big crhome could be found by swinging flesh and leeches. It was at this time that Billy and a client landed a fish that was almost too big to believe. 35 1/4" X 22". (See the 10/3/09 Report if you haven't already.)

We really enjoyed bringing you the Kenai Report this year and can't thank Billy Coulliette and his guides at Troutfitters for bringing the straight scoop to all of us every week. If you would like to fish with Billy and his crew in 2010 click here and we'll make it happen.

The Kenai Report will resume in June 2010 right after the river opens up.

A harsh winter and late spring delayed the start of Dolly Varden and Steelhead fishing, but once it got going it was very good. The heavy snowpack kept the creeks flowing nicely and the steelhead showed up in good numbers. June kicked off the king salmon season and while numbers were down a bit the size of the fish were up.  Summer brought a large chum run along with good water levels. That meant hot Dolly fishing in the creeks and reports from anglers seem to indicate that Dollies are getting bigger every year. The pink run was sizable and Cowee and Echo Cove produced for months. Finally, the silver run was much better than the last few years. Creek levels were good and Gastineau Channel had another solid year. 

With October being quite dry, the silver fishing has continued in Cowee Creek. If river levels remain fishable it is a great time to get out and enjoy the last bittersweet days of fall fishing. Make up a thermos of hot coffee, put on your Gore-Tex, and head out! If the rivers blow out don't forget the lakes. Two of my favorites are Windfall and the Dredge Lakes. If you can get out in the lakes with a float tube or canoe you are way ahead of the game. The Cutthroat and Dollies are still feeding like crazy before ice up.

I will start the report back up April when the fishing starts to pick up. Thanks to all who read the report this season. 

Have a great winter! Brad

It has been a rainy few weeks in Juneau and high river levels have been the norm. In between the storms the rivers have dropped down, Gastineau Channel has cleared, and some very good silver fishing has taken place.This year's run is shaping up to be quite a bit better than last year.

Currently, the rivers are on the drop and fresh fish are being reported from most areas. While we are past the peak of the silver run, groups of bright fish will continue to push in. With the last couple of cold nights, Cowee has dropped and cleared  as its headwater glacier freezes up. For the next few weeks watch the weather forecast and plan your outing during (or just after) one of Juneau's short dry spells. Most rivers around Juneau will clear and be fishable within 24-36 hours of the rains stopping. Cowee Creek, being a much larger drainage, takes 36-48 hours to come back into shape. Late season can produce some great coho days. 

It is hard to say how much longer Gastineau Channel will produce. A few bright fish are reported to still be on the move as they make their way back to DIPAC.

The lakes also are a good bet late in the season. Fat Cutthroat and Dolly Varden return from a summer of feeding and are aggressively taking flies before the ice sets in. Windfall Lake is my favorite. The Dredge Lakes and Auke Lake can be very good, too. Try #8 Black Egg Sucking Leeches, Beadhead Thin Mints, and Bead Belly Leeches.

Make sure to get out and fish before it all wraps up!

See you on the water! Brad

Check it out! An unbelievable 35 1/4" x 22" girth rainbow on a swung flesh fly. Absolutely off the charts.

With fall temperatures here, the Kenai water level has dropped and fishing conditions are prime. Just about all the sockeye salmon have finished spawning and died off. The egg drop may be over but the flesh eating season is in full swing. 

Most of the rainbows are dropping down from the refuge into the canyon section just above Skilak Lake. The Middle River is also prime country for big bows. Swinging big flesh flies as well as leeches is producing fish. And while huge number days are not the norm, some of the biggest fish of the season are coming out of the river.

Don't forget about silvers, too. The second run of silvers is moving in and both the middle river and the upper have big chromers. Try fishing early in the day to get the grabbiest fish. After mid-morning they get pretty tight lipped. Stripping streamers like Egg Hareball Leches in Purple/Shell  Pink and Black/Red is deadly.

Good luck and we will post another report soon.