Floating the Upper Kenai in Late July

[Bushwhack Jack]

Hello, I have floated the upper kenai a few times in the late summer and early fall, but I have some family coming to visit in late July and they would like to do a float on the Upper Kenai. From what I have read and heard, the rainbow and dolly fishing should be fair and picking up momentum by then, and the fishing should be fairly decent. Can anyone confirm this is true? And if so, I am assuming size 6 to 8 mm tangerine beads would be spot on? Is this correct also, or can anyone give me some advice for what works best this time of the year? The other question I had was would 10 mm beads work better because the kings will have just finished their spawn, or would it be better to try to imitate the sockeye spawn? I have also heard that flesh works well in the summer because of the dead salmon carcasses from the previous year. Is this true? Any advice anyone can give me would be greatly appreciated. If you don't want to advertise your secrets in public maybe you wouldn't mind sending me a pm? Thanks in advance for the help. I appreciate the advice. Maybe I can return the favor down the road.

 

[Wyo2AK]

In late July, the late run/Kenai reds will be in the river and people will be catching them. And as a result, there will be plenty of fresh flesh and sockeye-sized eggs in the water. Orange/salmon flesh flies will do the trick, as will beads. I would say your assumption on going with 6 to 8 mm beads in tangerine (or close to it) is a good one and will result in feisty bows and dollies. I've not tried 10 mm beads much in late July because I generally hook up enough on smaller stuff, but it's conceivably be worth a shot.

The past few years it seems like I always have family and/or friends visiting the last week of July. We usually do some fishing on our own (I don't own a boat) and connect with plenty of fish. Then we usually spend the $$ to float for a day. I fish with John from Kenai Float-n-fish every time and we always have a righteous good time. This year my girlfriend's parents are coming in town and we're doing the same drill. They can have fun catching some famous Alaskan salmon, and I can have fun slipping off down below the mess and tearing up the trout. :lol:

Anyway... the trout and dolly fishing likely won't be as hot as it often is at the end of August into July, but the fishing can still be pretty darn good. You've fished it before, so just do what you normally do and you'll put your family into fish.

If they've never fished for salmon before, find a bar and let them line some reds for an hour or two if you hear tell the reds have made it that far up river (the last week of July has always been good for me and my crew).

Paint up some 6mm tangerine beads with some white/pearl spots and fish 'em off the bars to get on the trout.

 

[Bushwhack Jack]

In late July, the late run/Kenai reds will be in the river and people will be catching them. And as a result, there will be plenty of fresh flesh and sockeye-sized eggs in the water. Orange/salmon flesh flies will do the trick, as will beads. I would say your assumption on going with 6 to 8 mm beads in tangerine (or close to it) is a good one and will result in feisty bows and dollies. I've not tried 10 mm beads much in late July because I generally hook up enough on smaller stuff, but it's conceivably be worth a shot.

The past few years it seems like I always have family and/or friends visiting the last week of July. We usually do some fishing on our own (I don't own a boat) and connect with plenty of fish. Then we usually spend the $$ to float for a day. I fish with John from Kenai Float-n-fish every time and we always have a righteous good time. This year my girlfriend's parents are coming in town and we're doing the same drill. They can have fun catching some famous Alaskan salmon, and I can have fun slipping off down below the mess and tearing up the trout. :lol:

Anyway... the trout and dolly fishing likely won't be as hot as it often is at the end of August into July, but the fishing can still be pretty darn good. You've fished it before, so just do what you normally do and you'll put your family into fish.

If they've never fished for salmon before, find a bar and let them line some reds for an hour or two if you hear tell the reds have made it that far up river (the last week of July has always been good for me and my crew).

Paint up some 6mm tangerine beads with some white/pearl spots and fish 'em off the bars to get on the trout.

Thanks Wyo2AK. That was exactly what I was looking for. Just some confirmation that my suspicions were correct. That is kinda what I thought. The fishing will just be starting to get good at that time. I hope I can repay you the favor in the future. If I had room on my boat, I would offer to take you along, but between me, my wife, the kids, and our visiting family, our boat will be pretty much topped out. Hope to see you on the river. Bushwhack Jack

 

[ak_powder_monkey]

everybody knows you can't catch rainbows in the kenai until the sockeye start spawning