Fishing Report Week Ending 9/27/15

It was a cold week.  In fact, it was cold enough for me to decide to winterize three of our four cabins. But the temperatures weren't so bad to stop me from going fishing. I managed to get out a couple of times on the lower Kenai River and also spent a day fishing the middle Kenai River with my friend Boo.

Did I mention it was cold out?  Here's a photo of my truck gauge on the way to the boat launch.

A beautiful morning at Bing's Landing (middle Kenai River).

The first hour of the day, the temperatures were below freezing and the fish were not cooperating. But, after the temperature warmed up so did the action. Here's Boo with the first silver of the day.

It took me awhile to get on the silvers but I was okay with that. The rainbow trout had a tough time staying away from my gear and I ended up catching four of the biggest rainbow trout of my life.

The largest of the trout all measured between 27"-29".  This was a day I'll never forget.

All in all, the fishing was very good on this day.  We ended up releasing a few silvers and keeping five.

Besides fishing the middle Kenai River, Jane and I did get out on the lower river a couple of times this past week.  The days we were out the bite had been inconsistent.  This is a sign that we are on the backside of the second run.

So, what's going on for the week ahead? Besides pulling the dock out, Dan Meyer is coming back up and he said he wants to do some more fishing.  I guess the winterizing of my boat will have to wait a little bit longer.

See you next week.



Beaver Creek Cabins & Guide Service

Fishing Report Week Ending 9/20/15

I love September on the Kenai River. Specifically, mid to late September is one of my favorite times to be on the water.  Reason number one: there are only a handful of boats out so there's no reason to go out at O'dark thirty to get "your spot".  Reason number two: even though the weather might be a little nastier this time of year, the catching sure makes up for it.  And finally, reason number three:  I get to spend time with my favorite fishing partner and wife, Jane.

I started the week fishing Colton, Eric, and John (pictured above). Eric received a brand new GLoomis rod and XtraTuf boots for his birthday and I was happy to help him break them in.

The next day I sat in the rain with DJ, Tim, Todd, and Steve.  Tim told me it was five years ago we last fished together and he said he's not going to wait that long again.  I hope not.  My memory isn't quite like it use to be...

Here's Jane holding the largest silver of the year so far.  It was 18lbs. What I like about this photo is there is not a single boat in the background.  Pure Kenai magic.

Jane turned the tables on me the next day and said I had to post a photo of me with our fish. There, satisfied?

We went out the next day for a couple of hours and naturally Jane caught her limit.

Same thing the next day, except one of those fish was not so smart and bit my line. It's the little one in the middle.

I ended the week spending a couple of hours in the afternoon with my friends, the Crawford's.  That's Nikki, Chase, and Gary.  Always fun to spend time with these guys.

Next week I expect the fishing to be steady.  The pattern has been either a fish or a bite every 20 minutes or so.  I do not have any days booked with clients, but I plan on being out their for a couple of hours each day.  It's a sad time of year for me because it's starting to wind down fast.  The fish will be gone before too long and the snow will be arriving soon.  On the bright side, that means ice fishing is just around the corner!

See you next week for an up to date report.



Beaver Creek Cabins & Guide Service

Fishing Report Week Ending 9/13/15

It was another good week of silver fishing.  Some days fast and furious, other days we had to put our time in.   Here's Matt, Marc, and Bryon with their limit.  This is the fourth time Matt has fished silvers with me and he's always got his limit (and he's been the first to do it every time).  I told him don't tell everyone that's the way the Kenai is because not everyone does that. Anyway, great fishing, great stories, and we were all back in time for an early lunch.

Since Dan and Mary Meyer cut their vacation short, I had a couple of days off which allowed me to catch up on a number of things I've had to postpone this summer.  Namely, sleep. As a fairly rested guide I participated in Senator Lisa Murkowski's Womens Classic on Friday and Saturday.  It's always a pleasure to be part of this event.

The "swag bag" that the women get for this event is always the best. Pink rain coats, and life jackets were just a couple of things that the participants received.

This is Gina holding her first Kenai salmon.  Talk about a small world. Gina and I both attended the University of Alaska Fairbanks at the same time.  We actually had a few classes together. Neither of us has changed in over 30 years!

The ladies know how to do it up right. Moose's Loose donuts, a variety of snacks, and Orange Mimosa's were flowing freely.  By the way, that's a 6 pack of champagne on the side storage tray. Also, take a look at the rubber boots that Laurie wore (on the right). Those are a cheetah print cowgirl rubber boots.  I'll say this about the Women's Classic, for all the years I've been involved with this event, fishing has been the least important part of fishing. For them, it's all about the camaraderie on the Kenai River.

Yesterday evening I was able to take out Eric Taylor's son Colton, and Eric's cousin, John. Eric was aboard as well but unfortunately he wasn't able to catch one and decided he wouldn't be in the picture. John, you may remember from one of my reports back in July, caught a very nice king salmon.  He told me he's still shaking when he thinks about that fish.

Today, Roma and Roger were able to scratch out a limit of silvers. Always fun to put people on their first Alaska salmon. How about that hat Roma is wearing?  Classic.

Next week my fishing calendar is light.  I have a few trips, but when I'm not guiding I plan to be out there with Jane. Not sure what I'll find but ADFG says the middle of September is the peak of the second run.  Come back to this site next week to see if they're correct.




Beaver Creek Cabins & Guide Service 

Fishing Report Week Ending 9/6/15 (Actually 9/7/15)

There are only two Mondays that I'm allowed to guide on the Kenai: Memorial Day and Labor Day. I apologize to those who were expecting a report yesterday, but I was just too busy to write a report. To paraphrase our local poet laureate Hobo Jim, "I'm doing all right, I've just been fishing....".

How was the week?  It started out on fire. On September 1st, Bob, Judy, Rick, Bill, and Mike got their three fish limit of silvers.

That was followed up the next day with another boat limit.  The Beaver Creek All Stars included Dan and Mary Meyer, and Bob and Judy Kingsbury.  The Pink Parka rules again!  Judy said she will lease it out if anyone is interested.

Had to include the photo of the Kit Kat double.  Good to know the magic still works Mary.

Towards the end of the week the bite slowed down.  Here's Bob Laflamme starting the trip off right.   Todd doesn't look too embarrassed for his dad and his celebration pose.

That fish was followed up by the biggest silver of the day.  Janet Laflamme had a much larger fish on and unfortunately lost it by the boat.  Still, not a bad way to spend your birthday.

We finished up the week by catching a few silvers on Labor Day.  We spent three hours on the water, caught four and missed just as many. I don't know who was happier. Todd, being on the water with his parents, or Bob and Janet showing off their catch. These guys sure make my job easy.

For the week ahead I expect the fishing to be steady to steady slow. The key will be patience and timing.  I was scheduled to fish every day but a family emergency had Dan and Mary Meyer returning to Illinois. My thoughts and prayers are with the both of you.  Maybe see you before freeze up????




Beaver Creek Cabins & Guide Service