Do you adore fishing? Have you heard of the Kenai River in Alaska? Kenai River fishing is an angler's fantasy, really the mother lode of salmon fishing. The river runs a spectacular 82 miles, from Kenai Lake in southern Alaska to the Pacific ocean, at Cook's Inlet.
Beginning in May, continuing through mid-October, the Kenai promontory, just three hours south of harbor, offers a smorgasbord of fishing adventures you won't soon forget.
Among the salmon varieties found are King, Sockeye, Silver and Red, with 2 runs each year. As well as record-sized salmon, Kenai River fishing offers Steelhead, Rainbow trout and Dolly Varden.
If you adore fishing, the Kenai River peninsula is heaven on earth. The biggest salmon ever caught in the world was a 97-pound King Salmon, in 1985. Enthusiastic fishermen flock to the Kenai headland, hoping to best this record. A typical catch is 40 pounds! It does not get much better than that.
Here's a rundown of the Kenai River fishing season, to help you plan your vacation!
around the middle of June, there's one run of the Red Blueback salmon, followed by another in the middle of July. If you like smoked salmon, you'll be wanting to be fishing now, as the Red variety is the king of smoked salmon. Reds are also highly prized for the grill, as well as canning.
Also running in mid-June and mid-July are the Chinook salmon. While other rivers in Alaska yield more fish, the Chinook of the Kenai river are known for their huge size. A typical catch in the second run is 40-50 pounds. Don't be surprised to net a King of a bigger size!
Kenai River fishing offers 2 runs of Silver salmon, one in early August and another in late Sep. The larger catches are generally found in the Sep run.
If all of this is not enough to give you the nibbles, the Kenai River yields prize sized Dolly Varden and Rainbow trout.
Your vacation plans should include a trip to Cook's Inlet for a saltwater fishing excursion of Kachemak and Resurrection Bays, where the giant bottom-dwelling halibut live. An Alaskan record-sized halibut of 466 pounds was caught in Kachemak Bay!
Drive just thirty miles from Kenai to Clam Gulch, a well-liked destination for clamming. Razor clams are abounding here. As the name implies, their shells are pointy, so be careful! Best digging times are when the tide is at minus two feet or lower. Check with the Department of Fish and Game for local boundaries.
As you might guess, accommodations are abundant in the area along the Kenai River. You'll find fully furnished cabins all along the Kenai, with wonderful led fishing tours. Anglers come from all over the world to experience a Kenai River fishing holiday. Be sure you book ahead! It's an experience you won't forget. Bon Appetit!
This article was written by Richard Codd, a keen fisherman who has travelled the world fishing the greatest rivers and lakes. He writes for a very popular blog (www.bass-fishing.com) devoted to the subject of Fishing For Bass.
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