Kenai Peninsula

[txspecks04]

Looks like I am probably going to make a trip up to the great AK in June of 2014 so I am starting to do some research now to try and make the most of it. Most of our time will be spent on the Kenai Peninsula so I was wondering if any of you might have suggestions on places to stay, fishing guides, or anything else that might be of interest. Looks like the early run of King Salmon is in mid to late June so I will definitely be checking into that. Thanks in advance for any information.

[Phil Lilley]

Everybody has had personal experiences going and fishing AK - I'll tell mine.

My first trip was to the Kenai River in 2005. Stayed in Soldotna and rented rafts. Waded and floated the Kenai in August. Missed the silver run but caught dollies, rainbows and red sockeye. It was pretty, river was nice, crowds were fair to bad. It was ok but for the money I spent I was disappointed.

A friend bought a camp on the Naknek River in 2006. I've been going to his place ever since (except 2012). Fishing wise- you can't beat it. His place isn't the ritz - but neither are his rates. Lots of people here on the forum have gone to Naknek River Camp. If you go to the AK forum and go back over the years, you'll see some of my postings and picks.

I've been a few other places but call Naknek home.

[Gavin]

Depends on we're you are staying have a couple suggestion for the Cooper landing and Soldatna area

[txspecks04]

Thanks for the responses guys. It looks like we will probably cruise from Vancouver up to Seward. Once we get to Seward we will get off the boat and stay for at least a few more days, maybe a whole week. We really haven't decided where we want to go/stay once we get off the boat, but I figured somewhere on the Kenai Peninsula would be good. Gavin, what are your suggestions for Cooper Landing and Soldatna? You could PM me if you prefer.

One other thing we had considered was heading up to Denali National Park and staying somewhere nearby there. Any suggestions for this area?

I'd really like to fish some of the smaller river systems (places where I could wade and maybe cover some ground on foot) on the fly for any of the following: salmon, rainbows, steelhead, and/or char. Does anyone have personal experience on the smaller rivers up that way?

I plan on taking my 5wt and 8wt set-ups to give me some flexibility. From what I have read, Sockeye are a hoot to catch and probably the best table fare around so I'd like to try and get into some of those if possible. Chinook would be fun just based on size, but I think I may be a bit outmatched with the tackle I will be taking.

Thanks again, guys.

[Gavin]

Will have to talk to my friend Jim....He has all the contact info from our the last trip. We had some great guides in the Cooper Landing area, and their is a good fly out service that took us out for some day trips across Cook inlet.

[jdmidwest]

June is a little early for most of the good fishing. You will have KIngs and Reds later on in the month in the Kenai. Peak of the tourist season and expect elbow to elbow in places. Cooper Landing or Kenai if you stay in the area. Have not used any guides up there, just friends. And we have always been in the August/Sept time frame when the rainbow and dollies are fattening up on fresh eggs and the silvers are running.

[Phil Lilley]

Yea June is early for salmon. You might have to go to a port and so out and troll for salmon, if they're in the area. Homer would be the best place.

Denali - I have a good friend who moved to Talkeetna and started a guide service. Goes up in to the Denali area. He's from St Louis. Peter Matheisen.

http://www.alaskawildernessriverfishingguides.com is his site.