Alaska Fishing Trips – What to Expect from a Guided Day on the River

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If you’re dreaming about a fishing trip to Alaska, you’re not alone. Each year, thousands of anglers head north to chase salmon, trout, and unforgettable memories on some of the most productive rivers in the world. But if you’re wondering what it’s actually like to spend a day fishing in Alaska with a professional guide—this post is for you.

At Kenai Fly Fish, we specialize in custom, guided trips on the Kenai and Kasilof Rivers—two of Alaska’s top fisheries. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or an experienced angler, our trips are designed to deliver fun, success, and a true connection to wild Alaska.


🗺️ Where You’ll Fish

We guide on two of the most iconic rivers in the state:

🛶 Kasilof River

  • Drift boat only – peaceful and motor-free

  • Excellent for sockeye and silver salmon

  • Scenic, quiet, and loaded with wildlife

  • Great for beginners, families, and photographers

Kenai River

  • Larger, more famous river

  • Power boat access allows us to cover more water

  • Excellent for sockeye, silver salmon, and trophy trout

  • Perfect for combo trips or experienced anglers

We choose the river based on what’s fishing best that week, your group’s goals, and the conditions that day. Our flexible launch locations and start times are a big part of what makes Kenai Fly Fish unique.


🎣 What You’ll Catch (Depending on Season)

Alaska’s rivers are dynamic—each month brings different fish and different opportunities. Here’s what our trips typically target throughout the season:

  • Sockeye Salmon (June–August): hard-fighting, harvest-ready, and tasty

  • Silver Salmon (August–October): aggressive, great for spinning gear

  • Rainbow Trout (June–November): big, beautiful, and all catch-and-release

  • Dolly Varden (June–November): colorful, scrappy, and underrated

  • Pink Salmon (August, even-numbered years): tons of action

  • Steelhead (Late August–October): elusive and exciting

  • King Salmon is closed on the Kenai River in 2025, but early-season Kasilof kings may be available


🧭 How a Guided Trip Works

Booking a trip with Kenai Fly Fish means everything is taken care of. Here’s what to expect:

✅ Before the Trip

  • We’ll help you secure your Alaska fishing license online

  • You’ll get tips on what to wear and bring

  • We’ll confirm launch time and location based on conditions

✅ Gear Provided

  • All rods, reels, tackle, and bait

  • Waders and boots in all adult and youth sizes

  • Filleting and bagging of your catch (for harvest trips)

  • Safety gear, coolers, and river-ready gear

✅ On the River

  • Flexible start times based on conditions and goals

  • Instruction for any experience level (we love teaching beginners!)

  • Action-packed fishing or a quiet scenic float—your choice

  • Wildlife sightings, epic photos, and the feel of real Alaska


👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Who Our Trips Are For

Families with kids
First-time anglers
Experienced fly or spin fishermen
Solo travelers
Groups and multi-generational families
Photographers and nature lovers

We’ve guided guests from ages 6 to 76—and we’re experts at customizing the day for the perfect balance of excitement, comfort, and success.


📸 More Than Just Fishing

Even if you never wet a line, a float on the Kenai or Kasilof is worth the trip. Here’s what you’ll see:

  • Towering mountains and glacial-fed water

  • Bald eagles soaring and diving

  • Moose along the banks

  • Fog lifting over the river in the morning light

  • Maybe even a bear or seal if you’re lucky

This is Alaska wilderness in its purest form—and you’ll be in the heart of it.


📅 When to Book

We offer trips from June through October, and each month offers something unique. Whether you’re looking for a salmon harvest or a peaceful trout float, we’ll help match you to the best season and species.

Booking early guarantees your preferred dates and trip type—especially in July and August, which book quickly.


📞 Let’s Get You on the Water

There’s never a wrong time to start planning your Alaska fishing adventure. We’ll walk you through everything, keep things simple, and deliver a trip you’ll remember for life.

📞 Call or text Ian McDonald: (907) 301-6957
🌐 Book online at kenaiflyfish.com
📧 Email: [email protected]
📸 Follow along: @kenaiflyfish


🎣 Fishing in Alaska Isn’t Just a Trip—It’s an Experience

Whether it’s your first cast or your fiftieth, we’ll help you make the most of it. With expert guides, wild rivers, and the best gear in the boat—you’re in good hands.

Let’s fish wild. Let’s fish Alaska.

 
 

Kenai River Fish Species

Rainbow Trout

Kenai River rainbows can be well over 30 inches and up to 20lbs!

Dolly Varden Char

Dollies range of all sizes and can reach up to about 12 lbs.

Steelhead

Steelhead are very uniform in shape and average around 28 inches. These amazing, acrobatic fish are often a fly fisherman’s favorite to target.

King Salmon

The Kenai River is open to motorized boats, allowing us chase the bite, and stay on the fish!

Sockeye Salmon

Sockeye salmon (also called red salmon) are the most popular salmon to catch on the Kenai Peninsula.

Coho Salmon

Ranging anywhere from 5-20lbs, coho are acrobatic and are probably the most aggressive salmon out there.

Pink Salmon

Pinks are completely underrated, they are extremely aggressive to catch and come in by the millions!

Halibut

Guided ocean fishing on the world-famous Kenai Peninsula