Trout fishing on the Upper Kenai River this week has turned on again. High temperatures have been melting the glaciers and snow pack, giving the Upper Kenai more water and silt. This has put some big trout back on the bite and fly fishermen once again are back in the game. Second run Sockeye Salmon are beginning to trickle into the Upper River and along with them are big ravenous packs of Dolly Varden. These Char-manders are on the prowl throughout the Upper Kenai and should not be slept on. Fresh  6 mm and 8 mm caliber beads are deadly weapons, and anglers should strap on their combat boots for the Char Battle. Some magnum rainbows have been getting hit in the crossfire as well on Peachy Orange Twofer and Chocker flesh flies.

The Kenai River Canyon continues to fish strong this week. Higher water levels are pushing lots of carcasses around in the boils and rainbows are feasting on meat like a Friday night at Sizzler Steakhouse. Try offering up a big Barely Legal in washed out pink and 6mm beads make a fine dessert. Dry flies are also working in select spots and some big fish will come up on big mayfly imitations. There is still a Trout Party going on at the river delta into Skilak Lake. Big Lake Rainbows and Dollies are pulling all nighters and anglers should be ready to get bounced out the back door into the lake.

The Middle Kenai River this week is still producing for trout anglers that are on their game. Big leeches are still producing from the lake to the Killey River in the early mornings and late evenings. Water levels continue to be ultra clear in the upper stretches and big trout with PHD'S continue to humble rookies. The Killey River is producing big silt flows with the Africa in Alaska temperatures, and fishing below the Killey is tough at this time. However, for those anglers that persist, there are some ultra magnum rainbows feeding heavy in the mud and a 9-10 weight rod is advisable.

Trout fishing on the Upper Kenai this week between Sportsman’s and Jim’s Landing has turned “ultra-tech” as water flows continue to drop and the water clarity is New Zealand caliber. Old School Kenai River fly fishing tactics have been nullified, and anglers approaching the drift ninja style are hooking slabs. The Centerpin anglers have been killing it with 3lb tippets and 150 foot dead drifts, and fly fisherman with skills to pay the bills are connecting with ultra micro flesh, 4mm beads, and dry flies. This is not a beginner-friendly section of river at this time, but if anglers are looking for a challenge, strap on your guile suit and be prepared to get humbled.

The Kenai River Canyon is producing some awesome fishing this week. Deeper water and less sun exposure is putting some big trout at ease, and fly fisherman who know how to drift the complex boils and back eddies are consistently going airborne with red stripe natives and Skilak Chromers. Be ready for that magnum Dolly to put you in a log jam!

The Middle Kenai River this week continues to amaze and humble anglers. Water clarity from Skilak Lake to the Killey River has become crystal clear again, and anglers who can successfully present flies away from their boats are seeing hot tub size boils on the takedown. Big leech patterns are getting crushed as well as big articulated flesh. Fishing from the Killey River to Bings Landing is still worthy. Big Rainbows are concentrated and stacked up in key spots and are ready for battle. Big Flesh and 10mm beads are starting fights and anglers should be ready to go 12 rounds.

More reports to follow. Billy

(Editors note: Check out the fine rainbow landed this past week by Sam Wronoski.)

It is early July and the pinks are already showing themselves off the beaches. Pinks are well known to be receptive to taking a fly and a Pink Humpy Hooker or a Searunner Special are top producers. Echo Cove (from the boat launch all the way out to the sand spit) and the Shrine of St. Terese get some of the earliest pinks and they are very fun on a fly rod when they are still ocean- bright. Work around the low end of the tide as the pinks tend to get spread out on the high. Last season there was very good pink fishing in front of Sheep Creek by late July. Hopefully it will happen again. Use a floating line, nine foot 10 pound salmon leader, and keep a steady strip retrieve going. Pinks often turn away if the fly stops or is traveling too slowly.

Cowee Creek has a large pink run and there are already fish in the creek. Try fishing downsteam with a Pink Starlite Leech or a Purple Leadeye Egg Sucking Leech on a slow swing with a steady retrieve at the end of the drift. Work the slowest deepest water you can find where migrating fish like to hang out. This is a great time to learn the good holding water on Cowee Creek so you are ready when the silvers come in in September.

The Dolly Varden are in the midst of their annual relocation from saltwater to freshwater. The Dollies usually show up in the creeks before the chums and now is the time to look for them. Cowee Creek and Montana Creek are two of the best bets.These streams host big chum runs and significant numbers of Dolly Varden. Try Pink Clouser Minnows, Battle Creek Specials , or Pink Humpy Hookers for the Dollies before the salmon are in. The Dollies will switch over to eating eggs as the chum settle in and begin to spawn. This usually starts around the third week of July.

Trout fishing on the Upper Kenai this week has turned on strong. Sockeye salmon numbers are starting to thin out, and the rainbow trout are moving back into their heavy-hitter feeding lanes. The carcass piles in the Upper Kenai are colossal, and Pro Anglers that are coming prepared with Micro-Flesh Flies in all stages of decay are drinking lots of beers in the evening. The Kenai River Canyon is producing big fish in the boils, and the river delta into Skilak Lake is pulling chains daily.

The Russian River this week also is producing some world class dry fly fishing from the falls downstream to the campground. Big size 10 Parachute Hare's Ears are bringing them up from the depths, as well as Prince Nymphs and PT's in size 12 and 14. The dry fly fishery should remain good through Mid-July until the second run of sockeye salmon start flooding this gin clear river.

The Middle Kenai River this week continues to throw down some big Chrome. 4 inch leeches and Articulated Flesh are still pounding from the Lake to Bing’s Landing. Don't be scared to throw Mr. Hankey around in the back channels!