Fly Fishing on the Upper Kenai this week is Pro
Status. Big Water conditions and super selective trout are taking amateurs to
school, and trout veterans are pulling out all the stops. Chrome Second Run
Sockeye are in a holding formation in Skilak Lake and continue to send early
run, big burner red scouts into the Upper battlefield . Until this swarm of
chrome infiltrates the Upper Kenai, Fly Fisherman should
read Lafontaine’s Legacy: The Last Flies from an American Master by AL
Beatty and take some serious notes.
The Middle Kenai this week is a War Zone. Chrome Sockeye by the tens of
thousands are making their exodus into the UpperRiver and waters are running blood
red like the River Styx. These rod-snapping ultras are not playing games, and
anglers should be prepared for lacerations. Trout fishing is traditionally slow
during these mega-runs, however anglers drifting carcass and 12mm beads along
the banks are going to the bank with pounds of chrome.
I would like to give a shout to my friend Johnny Witlatch of Reel Adventures
on the KenaiRiver
for living up to his word as a true Catch and Release King Salmon Guide.
Earlier this week, Johnny and his friend Joel Atchison released the sixth biggest
King Salmon ever caught in the World. A fish estimated at 90+ pounds. It
is these Legendary Giants that produce the Biggest King Salmon and native
Rainbow Trout in the world. Legendary!
More reports to follow,
Billy
Kenai River Report 7-12-09
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.
More Reports to follow. Billy
Kenai River Report 7-5-09
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. OldSchoolKenaiRiver
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 KenaiRiverCanyon 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 MiddleKenaiRiver this week continues to amaze
and humble anglers. Water clarity from SkilakLake to the KilleyRiver 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 KilleyRiver 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.)
Kenai River Report 6-29-09
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 KenaiRiverCanyon
is producing big fish in the boils, and the river delta into SkilakLake is pulling chains daily.
The RussianRiver
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 MiddleKenaiRiver 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!
More reports to follow. Billy
Kenai River Report 6-22-09
Kenai Peninsula | Page 2
Fishing on the Kenai this week
continues to blow minds and tippets. The first run of sockeye salmon
continue to flood the Upper Kenai in massive swarms and fly fisherman
targeting these chrome rockets are investing heavily in Ben- Gay
cream. The bag limit has been increased to six fish per person and
carcass piles are stacking up in the upper river and canyon like the
battle of Troy. Big meat-eating magnum rainbows and Dollies are
taking up residence behind these piles and anglers drifting
micro-flesh and egg patterns continue to get heavy action. This
coming week should start to produce some of the best trout fishing of
the month as the sockeye numbers start to thin out and allow the
srout to move back into their normal feeding lanes. Water conditions
continue to be low and clear, and long leaders and light tippets
should be standard for trout fisherman.
The Middle
Kenai Trout Fishery is producing legendary results this week. High
winds have finally stirred up Skilak Lake and pushed more silt into
the middle river providing more camouflage for boat anglers. 4 inch
leech patterns are still producing big chrome take downs above the
Killey River. Fishing below the Killey River tributary this week has
turned on heavy since the Killey has mellowed out and is not pumping
straight mud into the Kenai. Big articulated flesh flies in white and
dirty gray are hitting huge rainbows all the way to Bing's Landing
and anglers should be prepared for some massive chrome action.
Fly Fishing on the 
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.
Fishing on the Kenai this week
continues to blow minds and tippets. The first run of sockeye salmon
continue to flood the Upper Kenai in massive swarms and fly fisherman
targeting these chrome rockets are investing heavily in Ben- Gay
cream. The bag limit has been increased to six fish per person and
carcass piles are stacking up in the upper river and canyon like the
battle of Troy. Big meat-eating magnum rainbows and Dollies are
taking up residence behind these piles and anglers drifting
micro-flesh and egg patterns continue to get heavy action. This
coming week should start to produce some of the best trout fishing of
the month as the sockeye numbers start to thin out and allow the
srout to move back into their normal feeding lanes. Water conditions
continue to be low and clear, and long leaders and light tippets
should be standard for trout fisherman.
