Kenai River Report 07/28/11

 

The word is out.  Hundreds of thousands of second run sockeye have been entering the river for the past ten days.  Sockeye fishing has been good to excellent throughout the whole river.  Our friend, Johnny of Kenai Float-n-Fish, says that it is time to get your sockeye on.  He believes that the fishing is going to continue to be good for the next week or two. Choose a good gravel bar and if the fish are not there at that moment, wait ten minutes.  The sockeye will come.  You may have to be selective to get chromers.

The river is still running fairly low and clear. Because of the water conditions, trout fishing has been a little tricky. The trout are very buggy so far this year.  Dries and nymphs have been a fun and popular technique.  Smolt, leeches and sculpin have been producing too.  Having the ability to change things up has proven to be the key in getting some of these weary trout to bite.

Johnny says he hasn’t seen many big red kings roaming around the upper river, which is usually the indicator to start throwing beads.  Although with all of the sockeye showing up, beads and flesh are starting to be more productive. Try fishing flesh or eggs down towards the bottom of gravel bars and below the Russian.  Lots of flesh and carcasses are getting the attention of some very hungry trout.  Try fishing bright, fresher looking flesh patterns in a variety of sizes, from micro to large.  Also try beads in brighter, fresher colors in sizes 6-10mm.  Please remember to follow the regulations when it comes to hook sizes, weights and bead pegging.

A special congratulation goes out to Johnny and Heather.

Tight Lines,

The AFFG Boys