Fall Fly Fishing on Alaska’s Kenai River

In late May of 1989, I put a line into Alaska’s upper Kenai River for the first time. After only a few casts I was into a wild rainbow and that set me on a life addiction—I’ve been tangled up with the Kenai River ever since.

I spent many years guiding and running a lodge, but last week I made my first trip to the Kenai as a fly-fishing vacationer. I’m not going to lie: It felt pretty awesome. While I did have a little business to do, and I could not help but take a few turns on the oars, I focussed on being an angler and enjoying my time on the water. My partner, Stacy Corbin of Mystic Waters Fly Fishing, directed the trip. Also in the wings were Martin Hribernick, aka Chef Nitram, and Stacy’s wife, Shannon.

I was accompanied to the Kenai by Terry Jenner. Terry was a frequent face in the fly shop, and the first program leader for Project Healing Waters in Great Falls, before a forced move took him to Nebraska. He has since been on North 40 Fly Shop hosted trips to Belize and Isla Holbox, Mexico. After two days on the Kenai Terry said, “This is the best fly-fishing trip I’ve ever been on. These silver salmon are even more fun than baby tarpon and the rainbows are incredibly strong.”

October On The Kenai

Early October is always a bit dicey in Alaska. If you are not properly geared with quality waders and raingear, you are not likely to enjoy your time. Not unlike Montana, some days hint strongly at the onset of winter. But, when the icy rain quits and the sun pokes holes in the clouds, the AK-experience can be magical. We were blessed with some enchanted hours on the river last week and even enjoyed one mostly sunny day with temps cracking 50 degrees.

I love the Kenai in early October for several reasons. For one, the visuals can be stunning. Frosted peaks loom over aquamarine glacial waters. The leaves are rapidly falling, but along the river, the cottonwoods, poplar and aspen still hold some color. They glow in the low-angled light, casting a golden hue over the water.

The river has changed dramatically since September. Over a million sockeye have perished on their spawning runs. Some of their bodies remain sprinkled along the receding edges of the Kenai and other rivers. Many of the rainbows have already migrated toward winter haunts. Many of the dollies (dolly varden char) are spawning in headwater tributaries. The fall flurry of angling pressure has shifted toward other pursuits. Only a few hardcore anglers remain.

Quality Over Quantity: Alaska’s Fall Fly Fishing Equation

October is for the driven. It is a time for quality over quantity. A time when the few groups of remaining fish must be hunted down. But they are there. Rainbows, dolly varden, and fresh chrome silver salmon are shifting through the system. You won’t have much success if you fish the entire river. You need to focus on certain features and locations, oftentimes rowing for a mile or more between fishing zones. A swing run here, a nymphing bucket there, a salmon holding pocket before the next rapid. That’s how it goes.

The Alaska Fly Fishing Experience

For many years, Stacy, Marty and I, along with a few other special friends, have always had our time on the water in October. It’s a time when it only takes a few fish to scratch the itch, but simply being on the water and sharing that time with your best fishing buddies is the highlight of the year.

If you would like to find out more about fly fishing the Kenai, you can contact me at any time. I will also be planning some North 40 hosted Alaska trips in the future. Just don’t expect me to run the boat, although I still might, for a little while.