Before the massive salmon runs arrive, the Kenai River's resident Rainbow Trout and Dolly Varden are focused on one massive food source: migrating salmon smolt.
The Smolt Hatch (Rainbow Trout)
Mastering Rainbow Trout
Millions of salmon fry that hatched in the previous years are now heading downriver to the ocean. The resident trout know this. They position themselves in choke points, seams, and drop-offs to ambush these silver baitfish.
Matching the Hatch
In May, leave the beads at home. This is streamer season. We swing articulated flesh-and-silver patterns, or strip heavily weighted baitfish imitations through the deeper slots. The strikes are violent, as the trout are aggressively feeding to regain weight lost during the winter.