The 2026 Kenai River season is underway and Kenai Fly Fish has updated trip rates for the year. Ian McDonald and the crew are on the water, the fish are moving, and we're ready to put you on them. Here's a clear breakdown of what each trip costs and what you get when you fish with us.
2026 Kenai Fly Fish Guided Trip Rates
Every trip is guided by Ian — a licensed Alaska guide with years of hands-on experience on the Kenai and Kasilof Rivers. We bring the gear, the knowledge, and the work ethic. You bring the desire to catch fish.
Half Day Trip — 4 Hours — $275 Per Person
A four-hour guided session is a great introduction to Kenai River fly fishing and an excellent option for families or anyone with limited time on the peninsula. Don't underestimate it — when sockeye are stacked in mid-July, a focused four-hour float can produce limits before most anglers have finished breakfast. We run tight, efficient trips and make every hour count.
3/4 Day Trip — 6 Hours — $300 Per Person
Six hours is the sweet spot, and it's the trip Ian recommends most. You get enough water to adapt — if one run is slow, we move to another. During the July sockeye pulse and the late-season silver salmon migration, the 3/4 day is consistently our highest-producing option. It's also the best fit for guests who want a mix of fly fishing and spin fishing in a single outing.
Full Day Trip — 8 Hours — $325 Per Person
Eight hours on the Kenai River with Ian McDonald. This is the fly angler's trip — time to work technical water, swing flies through the right seams, and stay on fish through multiple tidal windows. If you've traveled to Alaska to fly fish the Kenai, this is the experience you came for. Spin anglers chasing limits and wanting maximum river coverage will also find this to be the most rewarding format.
Everything Included
Every Kenai Fly Fish guided trip includes:
- Licensed guide and fishing boat
- Fly rods or spinning gear — your choice
- Waders and boots provided
- Fish cleaning at the dock
- On-the-water photos available on request
What's in Season for 2026
The Kenai River season runs June through fall. Sockeye salmon are the main event from June through August. Silver salmon — one of the most exciting sport fish in Alaska — take center stage in late summer and into September. Rainbow trout and Dolly Varden provide excellent fly fishing opportunities throughout the season, particularly on dedicated morning floats Ian builds into the schedule for anglers who want technical trout fishing alongside their salmon days.
King Salmon — 2026 Conservation Update
The Kenai River king salmon fishery is closed for 2026 due to conservation measures. Kenai Fly Fish supports these closures completely. These are hard decisions, but they are the right ones — healthy future king runs start with protection today. Ian stays current with all Alaska Department of Fish & Game emergency orders and guides in full compliance at all times.
Lock In Your 2026 Date
July and early August dates are moving fast. The sockeye run peaks around mid-July and silver salmon bookings for August begin filling well in advance. If you're planning a 2026 Kenai River trip, the best thing you can do is get your date on the calendar now. Submit a booking request here and Ian will be in touch.
📞 Call Ian directly: (907) 301-6957 | 📧 [email protected]