Kasilof King Salmon

I just updated a bunch of information on my website so will be recycling some of it for some blog posts. This one obviously titled, Kasilof King salmon. Written for folks who may be considering coming up to fish with us.

We are not currently fishing Kenai River kings. Due to closures and dangerously low fish returns, we are only fishing the Kasilof river for kings. The Kasilof has a run of both Hatchery and Wild. The early run is the hatchery run. This is where we kickstart our season. The use of bait opens up on May 15th for King Salmon on the Kasilof river. A beautiful 17 mile glacial fed river system that is home to some incredible sized fish. While its still early in the year, this is a great time for the spey angler to get out while the water is low and slow. There’s not too much river traffic during this time as the fishing can tend be a bit slow to start. However, each year is different and salmon fishing is all about timing. Never a guarantee by any means, King salmon fishing is the toughest fishing we do. A pure numbers game, we rely heavily on good return numbers but each year is a toss up on the peninsula. As of 2023, we are allowed to retain one hatchery king salmon per day on the kasilof river. When the run of wild kings starts in July, it is catch and release only. The head of the fish is not allowed out of the water. If you are a bait fisherman, bait can open and close without much warning. The most conventional way to target these fish is a method called backtrolling. While oaring a driftboat, you slowly back down your offerings, usually bait, to these fish while waiting for your rod to get smashed. Its designed to be a relaxing day with minimal effort for the client. If you enjoy casting and working lures or flies, this may not be the trip for you. Although the most proven method, it can be a bit inactive if the fishing is not the greatest that day. We always make the most it and have a great time regardless. If you enjoy casting and would be interested spey fishing or floating bobbers for kings, we can absolutely do that as well! Remember, kings are a trophy fish and should be treated as one. A fish of a lifetime for most. We still have some of the largest king salmon in the world here and we restrict all customers from retaining a wild king salmon regardless of current harvesting restrictions. Most outfitters around the peninsula these day also encourage the same practices. If you are looking for the challenge and thrill of a lifetime, come up and take a stab at king fishing.

Kenai peninsula fishing calender

Rachel was kind enough to create this fish calendar for me to put on the website. I figured I would throw it on the blog as well. Cheers!

Flies for the Kenai River - Part 2

So for part two of flies for the Kenai River let’s talk Kings. The King of the river does nothing short of living up to it’s name. They are tough bastards and will most definitely test your patience and skill level.

King Salmon

Ahhh Kings. I love them but hate them at the same time. Getting one on the swing either on the Kenai or Kasilof is nothing short of epic. Ten pounders, sixty pounders, they all rock. Assuming you aren’t flipping for them, lets talk flies and set-ups.

First off, a switch rod or spey rod is almost a must for the Kenai or Kasilof as you will want to cove as much water as possible. That extra distance with the two handed rods can make or break your success. Accompanied with a lengthy section of T-14, which will vary depending on time of year and flows, you are ready to get started. Onto the flies…

Maybe its because I first started swinging flies in Michigan rivers that I’ve grown partial to weighted flies. First and foremost I want my fly to get down. Even if that means sacrificing a elegantly placed cast. My cast won’t be pretty but I know my fly is where it needs to be, down and in the zone. All while casting down and across. Hitting bottom every once in awhile makes me feel like i’m right where I need to be. Now, when we go out swinging for Kings, I don't even stop to take a piss. Its cast, cast, cast, step, repeat. Non stop. I’m sure guys can relate. If you want it bad enough you know you need that fly in the water. I got soooo tired of chucking heavily weighted flies. To the point of 6 hours of non stop casting I was losing more and more distance on my cast as time went on. Your casting will go from ugly to frustrating real quick doing that all day. So, I started to switch things up. Shorter leader off of my sink tip, and an unweighted fly. Many advantages to this. First off, the ability to cast all day at greater distances and less effort. Second, my flies now have more wiggle and fish appeal without the lead eyes. Lastly, I can compensate less weight by a straight across cast, giving my fly and tip a little more time to get down where it needs to be.

So weighted, unweighted, what type of flies are we talking? If you are fishing the turquoise waters of the Kasilof of Kenai, I wouldn’t leave home without a chartreuse fly. Chartreuse rules the color universe on these two particular rivers. You can definitely pair with a black, silver, or steelhead blue. Every one of my king flies have chartreuse in them. Get creative. Super flashy, not so flashy, silver and chartreuse, blue and chartreuse, try them all. I will mainly tie intruders with big broad shoulders on them to create a large profile. 50mm shanks up to 75mm shanks. Think length with a broad profile and plenty of flash fo dat ass. Marabou, ostrich, synthetics, pick your poison, as long as it has a good profile in the water. Leeches and dirty ho’s work well too but are heavy to cast. It’s hard to beat the action of a big bunny strip in the water but i’ll sacrifice that action for ease of casting. Not to mention a well built intruder will kick off some good swim action in the water too.

So there you have it, a little insight into fly selection for Kings on the Kenai and Kasilof rivers. Just remember, a large and broad profile in the water with some flash and good kicking action will get it done. Think chartreuse. That combined with some serious patience and you’re all set to get after ‘em. Good luck, you will need it with these fish.