Rainbow Trout and Dolly Varden Fishing Trips
Half Day Rainbows Upper Kenai River
Available June 11th – September 30th
This four-hour fishing trip on the Upper-Upper Kenai is excellent for all ages and experience levels. It has our favorite mountain scenery on the 80-mile Kenai and consistent rainbow trout and dolly varden fishing all season. You may even hook into a salmon incidentally. This trip is on a drift-only section, meaning no motorized boats are allowed, and it is extra peaceful. You will fish from a drift boat with your guide on the oars. Average-size rainbow trout is about 12-16in and beautiful, with lots of spots. All trout and dolly varden are catch-and-release only. On this trip, we relax and take extra pictures of the fish and peaks around us.
Location
Cooper Landing Bridge - Sportsman's Landing. Distance from Drifters: <1mi
Trip Type
Drift Boat
Techniques
Fly fishing, Spin fishing, Catch-and-release only
Full Day Upper Kenai
Available June 11th – September 30th
The Upper-Upper Kenai offers a picturesque, easy-going drift fishing trip. It’s the quintessential Kenai River fishing experience for anglers of any experience level. You’ll enjoy stunning turquoise waters, consistent rainbow trout, and dolly varden fishing all summer, and salmon available at certain times.
Known for dynamic seams, runs, and riffles, this section presents opportunities for dead drifting beads, flesh flies, and nymphs and occasionally dry fly fishing on warm days in June and July. The trout and dolly varden are particularly clean and feisty, living in fast water and free of extra pressure from salmon anglers.
Average size trout are about 12-16 inches and sometimes much more significant. They put up a great fight with plenty of runs and jumps.
Scenery and wildlife on the Upper-upper Kenai
The scenery alone makes this section a worthwhile float. We begin the trip at the Cooper Landing Boat Launch at the Bridge where the Sterling Highway crosses the river. At this spot, you can look upstream at a view of Kenai Lake, which feeds the river’s headwaters. Mountains stand tall on either side, and the river flows through the mountainous valley with Slaughter Ridge and Langille Mountain to the south.
Kenai River Trout Opener June 11th
The Kenai Opener is a definite guide-favorite fly fishing event. The Kenai is closed to fishing from May 1 to June 10 to protect spawning rainbow trout. Then, June 11 is go time. On June 11, the Kenai opens to fishing, and we always get a week to 10 days of superb fly fishing coming off a month of no angler pressure. June 11, 12, 13, and 14 are drift-only dates in the Swan Sanctuary section of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, below Skilak Lake.
This is a unique opportunity to fish the area undisturbed by boat engines, and it only happens once a year. The guides return to their roots on the oars, patiently working the river from drift boats. Starting June 15, we can run our Willie Classic and Predator power boats in this area again. During these early summer dates, you can target rainbow trout by swinging streamers or drifting washed-out micro-flesh flies to mimic the remains of the previous year’s salmon runs, which support trout through the winter.
CLOSED
May 1 to June 10
OPEN
June 11 - Onwards
In June, anglers have the unique opportunity to keep a king. This time of year offers a thrilling experience, with hungry, aggressive fish in abundance. It’s the perfect season to target vibrant rainbows, whose bright colors and energetic leaps set the tone for an exciting fishing season.
Location
Sterling. Distance from Drifters 35mi
Techniques
Fly fishing and nymphing styles, where we dead drift beads and flesh flies under an indicator. Appropriate for any skill level, including novice anglers. Spin fishing is also available.
Full Day Rainbows Middle Kenai River
Available June 11th – October 10th
This is the trip if you want to feel the explosive pull of Alaska’s famous trophy rainbow trout and dolly varden. For the best chance of hooking into a giant trout, we run this trip on the Middle Kenai, downstream of Skilak Lake. It’s a particular stretch of water offering beautiful visuals and the largest average rainbows.
You’ll drift flesh flies and beads from the boat, imitating salmon flesh and eggs, the primary food source for Kenai rainbows. Watch your strike indicator for bites, but don’t forget to look at the scenery as part of this section flows through the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge.
This trip is a guide favorite due to the consistent action and chance at an extraordinary fight and fish of a lifetime. Our fly fishing techniques are suitable for beginners and experts alike. We also offer the option of spin fishing. Rainbow trout and dolly varden are catch-and-release only.
Fall Trophy Rainbow Trout Fishing on the Middle Kenai
Best from August 15th – October 10th
Fall trout fishing on the Kenai is for anyone obsessed with big trout who doesn’t mind a little cold weather. August and September are when we see the most fly fishermen and anglers who want their best shot at a trophy rainbow trout during an annual event we call the “bead bite.”
When salmon spawn, not all the eggs settle safely into the gravel nesting beds below. Many are swept away in the current triggering a trout feeding frenzy. Salmon eggs are a tantalizing, concentrated food source for the trout and dolly varden, and the fish draw together for the buffet. The trout are bulky and fired up at this time of year as they stock up on energy stores before the winter.
The bead bite is a favorite time for anglers wanting to catch high numbers of rainbows. For us, “match the hatch” means choosing a bead that looks like the correct size and condition of salmon egg in the area. Some guides up their game by painting their beads with different nail polishes to make them look extra juicy.
The Kenai receives a run of pink salmon in even years (2024, 2026, etc.), which adds even more food to the system. Bead bites start around mid-August and continue into later September. Late in September, the spawned-out salmon complete their life cycle by dying and returning their nutrients to the river. Around this time, the rainbows and dolly varden will eat flesh patterns, leeches, and beads.
By mid-September, temperatures begin to drop, with days starting in the 30s, and warming up to 40-50 degrees. Late September sees some low temperatures in the mid-20s, but usually, those cold mornings burn off to become the beautiful crystal clear blue-sky Fall days we dream about.
Full Day Rainbows Kenai Refuge/Canyon
Available June 11th – September 30th
This section of water is incredibly scenic, and the use of this area is limited. Located upstream of Skilak Lake, you will be floating through mountains and undeveloped lands situated in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. Weather permitting, you may even be able to “shoot the canyon” and finish your day motoring out across Skilak Lake. The many back channels and shallow gravel bars allow drift and pull over to wade fish. It’s one of the few sections of the Kenai with consistent wade-fishing opportunities all season.
Location
Cooper Landing. Put-in at Sportsman's Landing. Distance from Drifters: 7mi
Trip Type
Drift Boat with some wade fishing opportunities available
Techniques
Fly fishing, spin fishing
Why catch and release?
The rainbows and dolly varden in the Kenai are all wild, native fish that have never been stocked. It’s an incredibly healthy fish population, and the fishery is a precious resource we want to protect for future generations. With the popularity of the Kenai River, the rainbows would see declining health and populations if guides did not practice catch-and-release and gentle handling to keep our sport as low-impact as possible. Some other strategies we practice are:
Using rubberized nets
Using quick-release tools on smaller fish
Only handling fish with wetted hands
Not holding fish over the boat for a picture
We want to capture those memories but not take too long doing it since time out of the water reduces a fish’s odds of a healthy recovery and makes it susceptible to disease or predation.
Full Day Russian River
Hike-in
Available June 11th – September 30th
For all our adventurous anglers, the Russian River trip involves hiking through lush forest within the Chugach National Forest to wade fish a beautiful clear running tributary to the Kenai. For a trout-focused day, your guide will hike with you upstream to fly fish for the colorful rainbows that populate the Russian River. Throughout the summer, they will chase various flesh flies, beads, nymphs, and dry flies. Trout are catch and release only. The trip involves 3-6 miles of moderate-strenuous hiking. If we’re lucky, we may spot brown and black bears, frequently sighted fishing for salmon in this stream.
Location
Cooper Landing. Access through the Russian River Campground. Distance from Drifters: 6mi
Trip Type
Hike-in wade fishing.
Techniques
Fly fishing
Location
Cooper Landing. Distance from Drifters: 5mi
Trip Type
Hike-in wade fishing
Techniques
Fly fishing
Full Day Quartz Creek Hike-in
Available July 25th – August 15th
aThis walk-in wade trip takes you into a nearby crystal clear stream. Quartz Creek sees a healthy population of sockeye and king salmon return every year to spawn. Just the sight of these beautiful bright red salmon fulfilling their life cycle is unforgettable.
As you look closely between all of these salmon you will see our target species: dolly varden and rainbow trout. They are lined up waiting to ferociously eat salmon eggs. With a good cast of the fly rod and a well presented bead, you can watch these fish move to devour your egg pattern and the fight is on from there.
This trip requires a mildly physical wade. It’s flat, but requires good physical condition and balance as you climb over slippery stones and cross the creek in the current. All rainbow trout and dolly varden are catch-and-release only.
Full Day Trout/Salmon Combo Middle Kenai
Sockeye/Trout from July 11th – August 15th Silvers/Trout from August 15th –September 30th
In fishing, as in life, we sometimes need a reminder that “you can’t have it all.” But combo trips can give you a taste of it all! Combos aren’t about bagging a lights-out limit of salmon and then turning right around to catch trophy rainbows the rest of the day. However, you can get a well-rounded taste of a variety of different fishing techniques and species.
Combos are perfect if you only have a day to experience fishing on the Kenai River, because you can catch a salmon or two for dinner, and some rainbow trout to round out your day. With an easy-going approach, a combo is sure to tickle all your fishing fancies. If you’re fully focused on catching limits of salmon or buckling down to find a trophy rainbow, then we will suggest a single species trip so that your guide can select the exact location and approach to meet those goals.
Location
Sterling. Distance from Drifters: 35mi
Trip Type
Drift or power boat
Techniques
Fly fishing and spin fishing
Early July Kenai Combo Rainbow Trout and Sockeye Salmon
Available July 1st – 10th
Full Day Steelhead
Available August 25th – October 10th
Steelhead fishing requires you to be up bright and early for a sunrise launch on the gorgeous Upper Kasilof River. You will float this amazing stretch of water in a drift boat on your quest for the elusive steelhead. Using fly rods, you will drift beads from the boat, intently watching your strike indicator and hoping it shoots under with a bite. After a stiff hook set, be prepared to watch your line tear away in any and all directions, as these fish pack a punch that won’t soon be forgotten. Swinging flies with a spey rod can be an option as well depending on water level. These steelhead are hard to find, and even harder to land, but putting one in the net checks off a lifelong goal for many anglers.
Location
Kasilof River, 60 miles from Drifters Lodge
Trip Type
Drift boat trip
Techniques
Fly fishing beads under an indicator, spey/swinging flies from the bank
Enjoy prime Alaska fishing
Contact us to book a half or full day guided fishing trip or to start building a package.
