river fishing Kenai

[LaPorte_MN_IA]

I am planning to come up to Kenai Peninsula July next year. Plan to do a bit of river fishing along with some Halibut charter. What type of waders are best? Do I need neopreme chest waders with rubber boots or the breathable lighter version with walking shoes?

[weld1]

I have been up there fishing for salmon/reds in late july, all you really need is a cheap pair of hip boots, i talked to a buddy last night up there and the late run reds are pretty good right now..i think there about a week late, we also are headed there next july/early august as well, i have been there like 8 times and if you would like more info let me know,

[traveler]

Laporte; I used my breathables last year and will never use anything else. Neoprenes are too hot for July, and too heavy. Some places you'll want to walk quite a ways. And they're even lighter than rubber hip boots, with much better ankle support for walking/wading.

[Down Deep]

What do you use for rods, reels, line and terminal tackle?

[traveler]

Reds run from 6-12 lbs., and the current in the Kenai really flies! Baitcasters on 7-8 ft stout rods, with 20 lb+ test are common, 1/2-2 oz. of lead and hooks in the 2-4/0 range with a little yarn for legality sake. Up in the Russian you see a lot more fly rods, 7-8 wt or better. Spinning gear certainly works as well, but the baitcasters are easier to use as it's a flipping motion as opposed to actually casting.

[Down Deep]

Traveler, Thanks .......

[alaskadreamin]

Just returned from the Kenai....wish I was still there.....

I would recommend Hip Boots, or Breathable, Neo's are warm and overkill.

Also, if the run peters outthe later you get into august the better chance for Silvers....either onthe Kenai, Seward, or Valdez.

Planning next yeat already!!

Medium weigh spinning gear works grat for reds, I use an 8 weith fly rod.....won't switch back....

Last two years runs have been late.....we fish Morgan's landing outside of Sterling, did ok, not as good as some years......but with the crew I was with not real flexible of fishing other areas....Still better than working.

[LaPorte_MN_IA]

Quote:

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Reds run from 6-12 lbs., and the current in the Kenai really flies! Baitcasters on 7-8 ft stout rods, with 20 lb+ test are common, 1/2-2 oz. of lead and hooks in the 2-4/0 range with a little yarn for legality sake. Up in the Russian you see a lot more fly rods, 7-8 wt or better. Spinning gear certainly works as well, but the baitcasters are easier to use as it's a flipping motion as opposed to actually casting.

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So you're doing more of a snagging thing than ???

[fivebucks]

Basically the reds seldom bite in the rivers. You are floating the line thru the water and the line is running thru their mouth and hooking them on the inside corner most of the time. After spending countless hours/days/and weeks on the Kenai we found that color made no difference in the number of fish caught. I found that changing the amount of yarn (or trimming/thinning the hair on the russian coho flies) makes the most difference. That will keep your fly drifting at less of an angle back and therefore you have more "line area" that the reds can run there mouth into. The reds are constantly opening and closing their mouths as they migrate upstream. The Kings and Silvers are different in that they will snap at the flies/lures. This is what me and a group of friends figured out fishing/living there for a number of years, both from experience and talking with other locals.

[traveler]

Exactly. If done properly, most of the fish you hook will be in the mouth. Did they bite? Who cares:) It's the legal, established way to harvest reds in AK waters. Don't keep any fish hooked in anything other than the mouth and you're good to go. If anyone wants to have an in depth (and pointless, tedious) discussion as to the moral or ethical attributes of red fishing, leave me out of it, please.

[Down Deep]

Traveler, do you know where to rent a boat on or near the middle Kenia?

I just got back from the Kenia and the red fishing was awsome. We fished the middle river down from Sislac (sp?) lake. We got silvers down by Soldotna.

[traveler]

DD, eagles roost is a ways up the funny river road and rents boats to fish the middle river, fairly reasonably I might add. If you've done the lower kenai boat trips, I really wouldn't suggest renting one down there...I'm an experienced boater and even I'm a little intimidated by the bumper boats. But up by the eagles roost the water is quieter (and much less traffic). I haven't rented from them yet, but we're in the preliminary planning process for next year right now and will likely do it then.