Fishing Report: End of August

It's always sad for me to say good bye to August on an even year. It means two things to me, 1) the pink salmon run is over on the lower Kenai River, and 2) Gary Blinn and his entourage will be leaving and won't be back for two years. 

How did the past week go? The fishing is starting to slow down, but it's still been very good. We started the week fishing a typical, wet August morning. From left to right is Vic, Jim, Steve, Jared, Joey, Donald, and John. Nobody seemed to mind the weather when the action was steady.

Better weather and eager fish greeted us the next day. That's John, Gary, Steve, and Donald.

We finished the month off with one of the windest days I can remember on the Kenai. These guys were suppose to be fishing on the ocean, but their trip was cancelled (imagine that). I happened to be open and this was their Plan B for the day. Not a bad way to end August. That's Steve "Money" Morris on the left, Gary, Jeremy, and Jared. I gave Steve the nickname "Money" because he limited out every single time he was on the Kenai River. Money, simply Money...

I'm going to finish this report by personally thanking Gary Blinn for everything he does for Beaver Creek Cabins and Guide Service. From organizing everything (I mean everything) for his group for three weeks, to the wonderful people he's introduced Jane and I to, we are very lucky and fortunate to call him our friend. 2020 can't come soon enough.....

Happy Labor Day weekend everybody!  See you next week for the first report of September silver fishing on the Kenai River.




Beaver Creek Cabins & Guide Service

Kenai Profile: Gary Blinn

I decided to start a series of profiles of the many people that I have had the pleasure to fish with and get to know at Beaver Creek Cabins & Guide Service. I can only "profile" one person or group at a time so don't be offended if you don't show up in the first few profiles. I should let you know my intent is to continue to write about a wide variety of topics regarding the Kenai. This will continue to include current fishing reports, and will intersperse profiles of the people that have left a lasting impression on me.

When I came up with this idea the first person I wanted to profile was easy: Gary Blinn. I first met Gary 12 years ago when I was guiding for the legendary Jeff King. Gary, who calls Tennessee home, comes to the Kenai Peninsula every other year in August with friends, family, and associates to experience everything Alaska. Gary stays for three weeks and everyone else will come for a week at a time. They utilize all of our cabins and fish nearly every day. How great is that? Most everyone will fish the lower Kenai twice, work in a trout trip in the upper and middle Kenai, a saltwater combination halibut/silver trip, a fly in silver trip to Big River Lake, or an all day fly in silver trip to a super secret location on the southern peninsula. I think the guys at Talon Air blindfold everyone before they take them there. Anyway, the majority of the people that make the trip with Gary do so year after year. Many of them will be profiled at later date.

In addition to the great fishing trips Gary organizes, a highlight of each week is seafood night. Gary will put together an unbelievable dinner which includes king crab, salmon, halibut, and chowder. To accomodate the Texas contingency during the final week, seafood night becomes seafood/Tex Mex night. Jo Ray and Will are the expert grillers so they help Gary put together an incredible spread. The night usually ends with a campfire and music provided by the "Fishin'Musician" Jeff King, and Chuck "Rocky Top Tennessee" Sanders.

At the conclusion of the three weeks Jane and I are sad to see it end. I can't say enough about how much we enjoy spending time with Gary on and off the water. It seems he has the perfect blend of work and what is important in this world....family and friends. Speaking of family, I should also mention his brother, his son Justin, and his wife Laurey have all come up as well. Laurey always adds to the fun because she loves to laugh and enjoys getting the most out of life. What a great duo.

Gary Blinn, hats off to you! Know what I'm sayin?