Fly Fishing is one of my most favorite activities, and I am blessed to live in the fish-filled state of Alaska. This past week was the trout opener on the Kenai River and my brother, dog, friend, and I traveled south for some fun. Our journey began hectically on Thursday afternoon but quickly smoothed out as we drove on the Seward Highway. This is a beautiful ride that offers views of the ocean, mountains, and lakes. Considering that we fish on the Kenai near Sterling and drive from Anchorage, it helps that the views are so spectacular. The drive is about two hours long from Anchorage to Sterling.
First Night of Fishing
After our arrival at my grandparent’s cabin, we hopped in their boat and zoomed upriver to get our fish on! Within a few minutes, I had a bite on my fly rod. That was all the action I got that evening, but I couldn’t complain about the amazing sunset. My dog, Shaka, was pretty happy to come along and be a boat pup.
My friend, Taylor, absolutely killed it and got five rainbow trout within the first few hours of fishing! All the fish we caught we released back into the water. It’s hard to beat Kenai River rainbows with bright colors and leopard spots…
Friday morning we woke up and went for a nice walk as well as a four-wheeler ride before the fishing began. After a tasty lunch that included homemade smoked salmon, we went out on the boat again. The sun was beaming and we got a decent amount of rainbows. I was happy to finally get a fish on my fly rod.
Bows and a Dolly
Both Taylor and Olin got some nice ones, and after a few hours, we decided to head back to the cabin for a quick trip to Soldotna. We went out on the river again once we returned in search of some more beautiful bows. It was a slower evening for fishing, but we still had a fantastic time hanging out on the water. Olin ended up catching a nice bow and Taylor even caught a dolly varden.
The next day we headed back to Anchorage, undoubtedly satisfied with the fish we had caught, and filled with enthusiasm for our next trip to the Kenai River. We most definitely will be back for more in the near future!
Get Out On the Water
We are incredibly lucky to have the opportunity to fish on the Kenai River. If you are interested in booking a float trip there are some great guiding services. Check out Drifter’s Lodge, D-Ray Personal Guide Service, Cooper Landing Fishing Guide, and Alaska Troutfitters. It’s always a great time to be fishing in Alaska!
