Alaska Fishing Lodge, Kenai River, Soldotna

2009 Year in Review

Once again another season has come and gone and like the many seasons prior, this one was decidedly unique in a number of ways. From statewide king salmon woes to unusually high river levels, the 2009 season on the Kenai (and statewide), was not without its distinct challenges. More welcome surprises to the 2009 season included perhaps the nicest weather we have seen in over a decade and also a silver salmon return of magnum strength. Indeed, just like each season prior, 2009 carried its own special nuances or personality traits, proving each and every season here on the Kenai Peninsula is always new and definitely different. After twenty years of guiding on the world’s most renown salmon river, I am annually astonished by how many unique experiences each season holds.

drifting the Kasilof The 2009 season began like many prior; with drift boat fishing for king salmon on the Kasilof river. As always, May 16 is regularly highlighted on the calendar as it marks the opening day of bait for the Kasilof. As most savvy salmon anglers know, adding cured salmon eggs to a spin n’ glow offering or wrapping a Kwikfish with a sardine fillet, can influence success rates dramatically. This year was no exception as the first kings of the season soon emerged from the glacial Kasilof water and the 2009 fishing season quickly gained momentum. This season started much like 2008 with a fair number of fish present for the bait opener and then small but steady number of king salmon arriving on each new tide. As we moved into late May, fishing on both the Kenai and the Kasilof continued to improve, but reports from elsewhere in the state and even from rivers on the southern Kenai Peninsula were not as encouraging. While other parts of the state experienced restrictions and low runs, our two primary rivers: both the Kenai and the Kasilof; remained steady into early June. While certainly not as consistent and predictable as some years, there were still plenty of nice kings to be caught and a good number were taken daily. Unfortunately, especially on the Kenai, the steady fishing did not last. Typically mid June is when we see the early run of king salmon hit full stride and in the past two seasons, this time period revealed some of the best king salmon action of the entire season. This was not in the cards for 2009. As we entered middle and late June, poor river conditions, high water, and a run that just never really peaked, all contributed to a mediocre early run on the Kenai. The final cumulative count for early run Kenai king salmon was 11,334 compared to 15,335 in 2008 and 15,904 in 2007. The neighboring Kasilof remained a far more predictable option this season and we had good success there from our drift boats until it too slowed down in late June.

With only an average return of early run Kenai king salmon, managers did not allow the use of bait on the river in June and therefore by default, July 1 became the opening day of bait in 2009. Cured salmon eggs and fresh sardine wraps certainly had an effect on fishing success. Catch rates immediately doubled and hopes were high for the remainder of the month. Alas, July 2009 was also plagued by irregular river conditions as after several high water events in June, the Kenai in early July was gin clear and super low! Both conditions and fish counts did improve as we headed into mid July and this proved to be the best king salmon fishing for the season. Fish counts peaked between July 10-20 and in the tidal reaches of the lower river we were able to achieve many multiple fish days and land a number of very large fish as well. On July 17, this included our largest retained king salmon of the season a Hawg weighing in at a whopping 75lbs!!! With almost two more full weeks of king season to come, I felt very confident about the remainder of the season. I was especially optimistic about the last five days of the month when tides were absolutely perfect. Mother nature had different plans. Unfortunately in the third week of the month, big tides and poor weather hampered our angling effort. The river went from normal July levels to well over flood stage by the end of the month. Heavy rains, extreme tides and a ruptured glacial dam in the Kenai Mountains all contributed to the perfect storm. What is normally the most anticipated week of king salmon fishing of the season became a struggle just to catch a fish. Through it all we did manage to produce a number of opportunities for our clients daily and all in all we closed an overall tumultuous king season with many outstanding days in the field and countless trophy king salmon to show for our efforts.

All experienced salmon anglers understand that runs go up and down in cycles and this along with weather and river conditions are all part of the overall equation. The lean seasons only serve to highlight the more bountiful returns. Again, after twenty summers afloat the Kenai it is truly fascinating to witness the unique qualities each summer entails.

sockeye queen As king season came to a close, an entirely new and unique season was lined up right behind it. Our fall run of silvers was making waves already in the salt water and after the less than wide open king runs, we all remained cautiously optimistic regarding the strength of the silver returns. Our optimism seemed to be working as the first week to ten days of silver salmon fishing showed great promise for the remainder of the month. By mid August it was apparent river wide that the coho return was quite strong. Limit catches were being recorded from the mouth all the way to Skilak Lake. Our boats found excellent success in the pristine waters of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge where we scored both limits of fresh silvers, but also very good trout fishing to round out the day. The silver run peaked mid month, but stayed steady into late August and after a short pause, the late run arrived in earnest. With angling pressure down and new fish arriving daily, September fishing on the Kenai was as good as it gets. This remained the case through the end of the month and into October when both high water from yet another ruptured ice dam and colder temperatures, began to slow the pursuit. Overall it was a banner silver run for both the Kenai and other rivers statewide and despite roller coaster king returns, the season ended on a much needed high note.

Now, as ice encapsulates the Kenai and winter strengthens its seasonal grip, we look forward to the new year with renewed enthusiasm. Trying to predict what lies ahead is always a challenge but the Kenai river are sure to deliver many great memories for those that travel near and far to fish its world renown flows. Every season seems to bring a different facet of the river to the table and even when you’ve spent half your life exploring its waters, there always something new to discover.

For myself, my wife Cindy, our girls, and Brent and Derek, we’d like to thank everyone that visited us in 2009. We hope your trip was memorable and productive and we greatly appreciate your patronage. For those faces new and old that will join us for the fast approaching 2010 season, we look forward with excitement, optimism and confidence. We know after 21 years that a commitment to quality, excellence and 150% effort will make your next trip to the Kenai a great success. Please call or email us anytime and we will help you plan the perfect adventure to America’s Last Frontier.

Alaska Fishing with Mark Glassmaker • 1-800-622-1177

2009 Year in Review