[Matthäus]

Would love some help in pointing me toward some walk-n-wade opportunities on the Kenai peninsula!

I'll be in Anchorage the next few days with the opportunity to fish Monday/Tuesday. Obviously I'm interested in wrasslin' some fishes. My understanding is the opportunities will be pink and sockeye salmon, and rainbow trout (too early for coho, mostly too late for king).

Guided floats are out, so I'd be hugely appreciative if anyone wants to toss out (maybe via PM) some road- and/or hike-accessible water where I could throw some casts. It's going to be day-trip(s) status in any case, but I would definitely pay extra gas and calories to beat the crowds.

At this point the plan is to cruise into a campground on Quartz Creek outside Cooper Landing. This is fishy, yes?

Big thanks for any advice!

 

[Joe J]

Russian river is very fishy for reds. Upper Kenai for big bows.

Lots of bear activity on the Russian, so be mindful of that and plan accordingly.

 

[Robert Engleheart]

Hike up to the Russian Falls, fish back down. Look for rainbows hanging out behind the Sockeye. If reds are in Quartz Creek it can be very good for Dollies and rainbows, make lots of noise and carry bear spray.

 

[Matthäus]

Huge thanks! Popped into the fly shop and it sounds like reds are fully in quartz. Pinks have only just started trickling in.

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[Robert Engleheart]

Don't waste your time on the pinks. At least on the Kenai. They are turning as soon as they hit the river and get nasty fast. Rainbows in the Russian or Quartz Creek.

 

[Matthäus]

By the way, long-overdue thanks for feedback. We made it happen!

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[Robert Engleheart]

Good to hear you had success; when were you there? The small stream shots look like Quartz Creek? What species did you get into?

 

[Matthäus]

Good to hear you had success; when were you there? The small stream shots look like Quartz Creek? What species did you get into?

Yep, Quartz Creek. This was the first few days of August. We had mostly dolly varden but also a rainbow or two. They were taking the pale-peach colored beads with or without a little white coloring for the milt, but would not take any fuchsia or magenta at all. It was a real match the hatch situation. Oh, and one nice dolly took a swung flesh fly.

Also LDR'd that sockeye on the Kenai but I don't understand the notion of fly fishing for a vegetarian fish anyway.

 

[The T.O. Show]

Looks like fun. I'll be back in Yakutat in one (long) week chasing silvers. I can't wait.