Prior to this past season, it had been several summers since I guided for kings on the Kenai. With low returns and restrictions, we largely refocused our efforts on the more abundant and predictable sockeye salmon. 2016 seemed to be a pivotal moment for the Kenai with improved king salmon returns not only here, but …
Alaskan Sockeye salmon have always had their annual place in our seasonal salmon season, but recent king salmon woes have changed the amount of time we spend targeting these intriguing fish. In recent years, we have started regularly fishing for Alaskan wild sockeye salmon on the Kasilof River which sees a great push of fish …
Kasilof Sockeye: Drift below Tustumena Lake offers solitude and good numbers of sockeye salmon. Changes in our king salmon fisheries have led us to further diversify and look for additional and exciting new fishing trips. One of these is the float from Tustumena Lake on the Kasilof River down to the Sterling Highway Bridge. Sockeye salmon migration …
Arctic Grayling is distinguished from trout and char by a prominent dorsal fin. They prefer cold, clear streams and are very sensitive to pollution. For those who may be inclined to venture out on their own, you can find Grayling in Grayling Lake (Mile 13.3) on the Seward Highway where the trailhead will lead you …
Alaska Dolly Varden Fishing. Dolly Varden, Salvelinus malma, malma is actually a subspecies of an anadromous member of the salmon family, and is technically a char. The Kenai river supports both anadromous (those that travel to salt water) and lake populations of dolly varden char. Once thought to be a predator of salmon eggs, studies have shown that dollies …
Here is another good read covering the latest information on king salmon management… https://www.alaskadispatch.com/article/new-tools-biologists-aim-avert-another-kenai-king-disaster
For those of you keeping up with the latest discussion regarding our king salmon returns, here is an excellent article that summarizes the Cook Inlet Task force meeting and proposals to date. It is important to remember that ultimately this all comes down to making sure we preserve what is arguably the most genetically unique king …
Spring Steel Springtime in Alaska is marked by longer days and melting snow. It reveals a drab landscape of dead vegetation, void of color, and is without question, the least appealing face of Alaska’s distinctive four seasons. Beneath this sullen exterior, a bounty of new growth awakens from its annual winter slumber. Perhaps nowhere is …
Fire and Ice On our last steelhead trip to the Anchor River we nearly froze to death… and we loved it! Anchor Point, Alaska Steelhead fishing is always tough. A common saying holds, “if you’re not freezing your a#* off you’re not going to catch a steelhead. For the most part this saying holds true. …
Are you interested in booking a drift boat fishing trip on the Kasilof River? Click here or call 1-800-622-1177! In the Shadow of Giants (This article was written by Kenai/Kasilof River guide Mark Glassmaker and was originally published in Fish Alaska magazine in July 2006.) The Kenai’s lesser known neighbor has a king-sized reputation …
