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Fishing on the Kenai is ramping up. There are reports that the sockeye spawn is in its early phases in the upper river and refuge. Fish are starting to pair up and dig redds. This means some serious bead time is in the near future. Fresh colors in 6mm and 8mm are producing. Very few kings made it into the upper river this year, meaning not a lot of spawning kings. When found though, 10mm beads are the size of choice.
The tributaries like Quartz Creek are starting to heat up with great dolly fishing. 6mm and 8mm beads are the size. The Russian is still fishing well and should continue to be productive as the sockeye spawn goes into full swing. Please remember that there are regulations specific to these areas. Here’s a link to ADF&G Regulations for the Kenai Penisula. Be sure to check and see if there are any emergency closures or updates.
Silver fishing is still in its early phases. Very few rumors of silvers in the middle and nill on the upper. Fish should start to show up in fishable numbers in the few weeks. For those wanting to fish silvers, lower in the river is the best bet. |
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Kenai River Report 7-27-12 |
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Late run Sockeye fishing continues to be good to great. So far to date, more than a million fish have entered the river. This fishery should continue to be very productive over the next few weeks. Look for the fish to be passing along shallow bars. This is where it is best for taking them on a fly rod. Be sure to use an eight weight rod as these bright, acrobatic torpedoes are known for breaking things.
Trout fishing continues to be fair to good. Flesh flies have been the best producer in the main river, with beads and egg patterns getting hit here and there. Try fresher (orange) colors of flesh. On the nicer days, there have been a few hatches on the main river, which can be a lot of fun.
The Russian continues to be good to very good. Dries and nymphs have been the go to. This should continue for the next couple weeks until the Sockeye spawn starts. Bring a variety of caddis and mayfly dries and Pheasant Tails, Copper Johns and similar nymphs are working well. Try these patterns in sizes 18 to 12, depending on the hatch. |
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Kenai Report 7-12-12
Windy weather over the last few days has kept a lot of anglers off of the river, but with better weather in the forecast, this weekend should be good. The Kenai is starting to see good numbers of second run sockeye past the counting station (with 68,800 fish as of 7/11) with the bulk of the run still to come. The second run fish that are in the river have been holding in the Canyon. The best fishing has been in the back eddies and deep pools. This will change to the shallower runs and gravel bars when more fish move in. The upper river should see a fish push in the next week or two.
Trout fishing has been steady on the upper river with flesh and leeches being the key to success. As more and more sockeye enter the upper river, flesh and egg patterns will become the norm. Try fresh flesh patterns right below the sockeye hot spots and washed flesh farther down river. Patterns we like this time of year are Chokers, Twofers and MOAL Rhoids.
The Russian has been fishing well. Dries and nymphs are the flies of choice this time of year. Hatches have been good when the weather is cooperating. On the dark, gray days, going deep with nymphs has been good. To change things up, fishing small sculpins can produce when the fish are not onto bugs. Other tributaries such as Quartz Creek haven’t started to fish yet, but are not far off. Beads will be the ticket when the fish do show
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Like many rivers around the state, the hard, late winter has made things late on the Kenai. Currently the best red or sockeye fishing is from the mouth of the Russian, down. There have been a few small squirts of fish starting to enter the Russianbut the bulk of the early run has yet to appear. The fishing should improve as the weekend nears, but be ready to put in some time.
Trout fishing has been good and steady since it opened. Water levels and clarity are good in the upper river and refuge. Most fish are still being taken on sculpin and leech patterns. Try blacks, olive , tans and combos those. When the sockeye run does show, be ready to fish beads and fresh flesh patterns.
Tight lines and have a good week!
Brad and the Boys |
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Reports coming from Alaska Troutfitters in Cooper Landing are of high water and an upper river that continues to rise. There is a tremendous amount of sockeye spawning in the main river, so even with high water, there are trout and dollies to be had. Fishing from a boat is the best way to go, as many of the foot accessible runs are hard, if not impossible, to get to. If you’re a bank angler, wear a PFD as high swift water makes for dangerous wading.
A variety of bead sizes have been working. Start with 6mm beads on the main river. With all the sockeye that are currently spawning, fresher orange and red colors have been the ticket. With the high, fast water, 8mm and 10mm in both fresh and dead colors can be good to try if the 6mm aren’t doing the trick.
Most of the Kenai tributaries are blown out with the exception of the Russian. Fishing the Russian is tricky though, due to the large number of sockeye actively spawning. Getting clean drifts without snagging salmon can be tough. Try fishing the faster runs and breaks on the side of the river where there are less concentrations of sockeye. Once again, egg patterns are the key to success.
If you get out on the water this weekend, please have a fun and safe time.
Tight Lines,
The Alaska Fly Fishing Goods Crew |
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