Drifters Lodge Fishing

The Kenai River is host to some of the best Rainbow Trout fishing on planet. With millions and millions of salmon returning to spawn each year, the Kenai produces an incredible food source for its native, wild trout. Drifters Lodge specializes in the pursuit of these Monster Rainbows, Dolly Varden and Arctic Char and gives anglers the chance to experience this truly world-class fishery. We specialize in drift boat fishing on the Kenai River and professionally guided hike-in fishing trips on smaller tributaries and streams. Drifters Lodge has the Kenai Peninsula Rainbow Trout dialed. We divide the Kenai River trout fishing into four different sections of river. Each is unique with its own style of fishing, river structure, and scenery.

Upper Kenai River
It all begins here. The mighty Kenai begins its first flows out of Kenai Lake and steadily runs seventeen miles downstream through the drift only Kenai National Wildlife Refuge before entering into another massive glacial lake called Skilak. Its entire length is a massive spawning ground for the millions of pacific salmon. It is also home to some of the best fly-fishing for trout in the world, and is the perfect section of river for the beginner or expert to experience. Surrounded by the massive peaks of the Kenai Mountains, the upper Kenai is a breath-taking display of Alaskan beauty. With its many braids, back channels, and gravel bars, the upper Kenai offers many unique opportunities for Rainbow Trout and Char on the fly or spinning gear. Fish average 16-18 inches with trophy fish in the 26-28 plus inch class caught regularly. The fishing begins in this section of river on June 11th and continues through the end of October. Maximum of four anglers per boat. Trips offered are as follows.
Upper Upper Kenai, This is a perfect half day trip from the Kenai River Bridge to Sportsman's (Russian River) take out. The drift is 7 miles of beautiful scenery plus great fishing for Arctic Char/Dolly Varden and Rainbow Trout.  It is a catch and release fishery.  AM and PM trips available. Duration: 5 hours (Rafting Trips on this stretch are also available with a duration of 2 hours)

Upper Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, This section of the river is the only limited entry area on the Kenai River. It is operated by Salmon Chaser Inc. under a permit from the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge.  The first section starts at Sportman's (the Russian River) and finishes at Jim's Landing. This is a five mile stretch of a braided river system. It is ideal for fly fishing and offers fantastic Trophy Rainbow trout, Arctic Char/Dolly Varden and Red and Silver Salmon Fishing . Duration 8-9 hours  The Canyon trip is the second part of the refuge and can be added to the Refuge trip upon request. (Rafting Trips on this stretch are also available with a duration of 3 hours)

Upper Kenai River Canyon Trip, This section is awesome. The Canyon is the most beautiful and remote section of the Kenai River. The trip begins at Sportman's and finishes at Skilak Lake. Then we motor 45 minutes across the lake to the take out. Duration 10-11 hours. It is usually combined with the first section.  It is also operated by Salmon Chaser Inc. under a permit from the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge.

Middle Kenai River
This section of river begins its flow out of Skilak Lake and slowly winds downstream before it enters a gorge called Naptown Rapids. The Middle is a very wide and deep section of river with tons of classic submerged river structure and massive salmon spawning areas. Fish average 18 inches and fish in the 26-30 plus inch class are seen daily certain times of the year. More Rainbow Trout in the 12-18 pound class (that’s right, pounds) have been caught and released in this section of river over the last 10 years than any river in the world. Drifters Lodge knows all the fishing tactics and techniques for the monster rainbows that inhabit and migrate into this section of river. This is primarily a boat fishery. This is where some of the biggest Rainbow Trout in the world live. Maximum of four anglers per boat. 13 mile Drift. Duration: 10 hours

Lower Kenai River
The Lower River is best known for the World Record King Salmon 97.4 pounds. This Section of River is awesome for Rainbows in the Month of August. The Rainbows feast on the Kings Spawning on this section of River. The drift is anywhere from 7 miles to 15 miles. Duration 9 to 10 hours

Hike-In Fishing
Drifters Lodge offers guided hike-in fishing on several of the Kenai Peninsula’s smaller mountain streams and rivers for Rainbow Trout, Arctic Char, and Steelhead. If hiking up and down rivers sight fishing for trout and char, or swinging articulated leeches for chrome Steelhead right out of the salt gets your casting arm twitching, this is the trip for you.

Russian River
The Russian River is a major tributary of the Upper Kenai. It originates out of two crystal clear mountain lakes and rapidly runs its short course through the Chugach National Forest eventually merging into the aqua blue waters of the Kenai River. The Russian is a textbook pocket water trout fishery with plenty of boulders, riffles, and crystal clear pools. This river fishes well from its opening on June 15th through September and can provide some of the best dry-fly fishing in Alaska for Rainbow Trout in July and early August. The Russian River receives two distinct runs of Sockeye Salmon providing insane amounts of flesh and eggs for the trout to gorge on in the fall creating a fly fishing Mecca.

Quartz Creek
This crystal clear, slow moving creek originates out of the Kenai range and gradually winds through Spruce forest before entering the massive glacial Kenai Lake. In August, this quite stream becomes a Sockeye Salmon spawning war zone that attracts thousands of Arctic Char/Dolly Varden into the fray. Sight and indicator fishing egg patterns for these worthy game fish among hundreds of spawning Sockeye Salmon is the name of the game. Be ready for that sleeper rainbow hiding in the log jam. We begin fishing this creek July 25th and offer trips through August.

Anchor River and Deep Creek (lower peninsula)
The lower Kenai Peninsula are home to one of God’s most magnificent creations, the Steelhead Trout. These wild, fall run chromers begin entering streams in good numbers around September 15th and fishing continues through October. Fish average 8-10 pounds with 15 pound plus fish being tailed yearly. We fish a variety of flies and techniques for these bad boys depending on water conditions and time of year. Steelhead fishing is some of the most rewarding forms of fly-fishing there is. Imagine swinging your fly through the meat of the pool. This is going to be the one, you know it, you feel it. The morning sun begins to warm your cold, numb fingers, but you don’t even notice. You’re focused. You mend your line through the yellow and red leaves floating downstream and begin to swing your fly out of the depths when you feel it. That micro-second when your line pauses for that sixth sense strike and there he is, the chromer immediately blows downstream out of the pool, headed back for the ocean. The fish bucks down but eventually succumbs to your fly rod. Sitting in the water at your feet is 12 pounds of chrome bright steelhead. The fish is staring you down right in the eye as you remove the hook from its corner jaw. You grasp his tail and release him back into the cold, October water.

King Salmon
These legendary combatants begin entering Kenai Peninsula Rivers around the middle of May and continue through the end of July. The largest of the five Pacific Salmon species, these powerhouses are guaranteed to get your adrenaline pumping. We concentrate on the lower tidal reaches of their birth rivers, and try to intercept these chrome-magnums right out of the salt.

Lower Kenai River
This section of the Kenai produces more King Salmon over 50 pounds than any river in the world and is home to the world-record, weighing in at just under 100 pounds. This is big-game; big league salmon fishing at it’s finest. Back trolling and bottom bouncing bait and magnum lures called Quickfish from power boats is what this fishery is all about. We begin fishing this section of river June 1st with peak times being July 1st –July 31st. Fish average 30 pounds with 60 plus pound fish a real possibility. This is the World-Series of King Salmon fishing, so fasten your seatbelts and eat your wheaties because this fishery is no joke. Maximum of four anglers per boat.
Kasilof River
This is an awesome non-motorized, drift boat only King Salmon fishery and is perfect for families and anglers who prefer a quieter, laid-back scene. Fish average 15-18 pounds with trophy fish in the 30 plus pound class hitting the net regularly. This is a hatchery enhanced river typically offering more shots at fish than the Lower Kenai. We deploy the same tactics and techniques used on the Kenai, with some fly-fishing opportunities available depending on water flow and time of year. This fishery jumps off May 16th and continues through the end of July with peak times being June 1st – June 15th and July 15th to End of July. Get ready for that heart-stopping takedown that only King Salmon can produce.

Sockeye Salmon
Imagine a fish with the power-surging runs of Steelhead Trout combined with the water busting aerial displays of Silver Salmon. Now multiply that by one million plus fish, and then we’re getting on the same page. The Sockeye Salmon is a fly fisherman’s dream come true. Every year the Kenai River gets flooded with these chrome rockets and provides anglers with some of the most fast and furious fly fishing known to man. The Kenai River receives two distinct Sockeye runs. The first run begins entering the system around the end of May and peaks out June 11th-June 30th. These are fish primarily bound for the Russian River, a major clear water tributary of the Upper Kenai River.
First run Sockeye average 5-8 pounds and are mainly targeted on the drift- only section of the Upper Kenai. The second run begins July 20th and continues into the second week of August. This run consists of the largest numbers and size of fish. With second run fish regularly hitting the scales at 12 pounds, broken rods and backs are guaranteed. If you want to experience some of the craziest fly-fishing ever, hit the gym and then call us for reservations. Maximum of four anglers per boat.

Silvers
Every fall the Kenai river offers anglers the unique opportunity of fly-fishing for one of the most aggressive salmon that swim, the silver. We primarily target the many backwater sloughs of the upper and middle river sections. If you’re a light tackle spin fisherman, you just found the love of your life. Silvers begin entering the Kenai system in mid-August with peak times being mid-September through October. Fish average 8-10 pounds with 12 plus pound fish being hooked up consistently. Early mornings and late evenings are best. We usually combine silvers with our trout trips for a truly legendary fishing combination. Please refer to our trout fishing page for prices. We also fish Silvers on the Lower Kenai River and Kasilof River where bait is allowed. If you just want silvers, this is your best option.

LODGEMAIL@ARCTIC.NET TOLL FREE 1-866-595-5959
COOPER LANDING, ALASKA

Frank Williams & Bob Rima
Kenai River Drifters Lodge

Kenai River Drifters Lodge is sure to be a favorite destination. Give us a call today on our TOLL FREE number 1-866-595-5959 and lets make arrangements for your stay at Kenai River Drifters Lodge.