In South Central Alaska, April brings the long awaited “break up” – the fringe season between winter and summer. For outdoorsman the changing of the season triggers a scramble to prepare for Summer, and for some a rush to fulfill the last attempts at winter sports. For anglers, April rainbow trout fishing offers an interlude between the ice fishing and peak salmon seasons. Catch and release fishing the famed Kenai River is a tremendous way to spend an April weekend in South Central Alaska!
On this particular Saturday I ventured down to the Kenai Peninsula. With the waxing daylight, I was in no rush and took off mid morning for a leisurely drive to Cooper Landing, AK. The Sun greeted me as it crested over the Chugach mountain range and burnt out the morning’s clouds. Round the Turnagain Arm freshly exposed grass reassured the coming of Summer. Meanwhile, glossy snow clung to the mountain sides and north facing slopes. A plethora of waterfowl circled about and cruised in the watershed that handrails the Seward Highway.
April rainbow trout fishing the Kenai River in late winter offers an opportunity to shake off the rust of winter. Resident rainbow trout or anadromous steelhead may be targeted. The latter being found primarily in the Middle and Lower stretches of the Kenai River. During this time on the Kenai River, rainbow trout/steelhead fishing is catch and release only. The season closes at the end of April, shutting down for nearly two months to allow the rainbow trout to spawn undisturbed. For specific details visit the Alaska Department of Fish & Game. Fishing during April, therefore, requires a conservationists diligence. It is the law that rainbows not be removed from the water. Additionally, only a single hooked fly may be used. Such regulations afforded me a return to simplicity.
There are numerous pull offs alongside the Kenai River, from Cooper Landing west to Soldotna. I decided to fish the Upper portion of the Kenai River, finding a pull off with what seems like a good flowing stretch. The Kenai’s waters are an incredible turquoise blue stemming from glacial runoff.
As I arrived at the pull off, there were already a few cars. Shortly after my arrival, another two vehicles pulled in. The crowds in April should not be cause for concern. The access points are merely that. There is plenty of bank to spread out across when you are on the stream. Furthermore, most anglers are friendly, helpful, and at minimum courteous to one another.
I walked out to the riverside, whose water level was low. Fortunately, this low level exposed plenty of rock embankment from which to cast. In a slow stretch prior to a riffle run, I tried drifting a vibrant clouser minnow with my 8 wt single-handed rod. Working a natural drift through this pocket I made a few dozen casts, then continued downstream. A group of two men and one son was fishing further downstream. As I passed them, I asked if there was any problem with me leap frogging, to which they had no issue.
Reaching a deep slow stretch I fished a pocket just prior to a slight increase in current. At this point I had changed to a #2 hare’s ear nymph on about a 8.5 leader with a split shot 5-6 feet up. I casted upstream and allowed my line to drift naturally with the current. With rod held high, I kept as little fly line as I could on the water, tracing my rod tip downstream on pace with the current. Just as I thought my setup was futile, I felt the subtle tightening of my line. Then, the familiar flounder of an animate fish on the other end.
The resident rainbow trout of the Upper Kenai River, approach the scale of steelhead. As I fought the fish I immediately could tell it dwarfed hatchery stockies. Utilizing my Fishpond net, I brought the rainbow within arms reach and made the netting. Keeping the fish in the water, I made a healthy release. Embarrassingly, in the commotion, I let go of my trekking pole, to which I believe floated away downstream. After searching my initial area and walking downstream a bit I determined my loss was permanent.
Nevertheless, the day was a success. I managed to land another rainbow from the same pool, this one with vibrant spawning colors. Accordingly, I determined that I had menaced that stretch enough and moved on to explore other parts of the river. At the cry of a bald eagle in its nest behind me, I elected that it was a successful day and headed home. For the cost of some gas money and a trekking pole I bought the opportunity to fly fish the world class Kenai River undisturbed by crowds, and immersed in solitude. I think I did pretty well.