My wife and I are planning atrip to Alaska. We willbe arriving in Anchorage a few days early so I can do some fishing. I would like some info on river fishing. We can rent a car. Will be coming the 29th or 30th of May 2009. Thanks for any help!

Randy-The king runs usually just start around the last week in May and quality will vary depending on conditions. There are some opportunities in town but for the best fishing get out of town ASAP. As far as driving goes, plan on heading south down the kenai penninsula and there should be king fishing somewhere along the way (seward, soldatna, homer).Or you can head north up towards talkeetna and fish up by deshka ,susitna,or willow. The fish counts are usually published in the paper or you can find them online so go where the best reports are. Combat fishing is inevitable anyplace you can access from roads, so if you want to get some elbow room plan on hiring a driftboat inland, or charterboat on the ocean. Otherwise fight the crowds and have some fun with it, if the fish are running there wil be plenty antics to watch and you'll probably learn a thing watching/talking to the guys w/ fish on. Get some big gear and have fun!
redhooks

Thanks for the reply Redhooks. Every bit of info helps. I think I'll try to find a drift boat guide.

Send me an email and I will give you a name of an excellent Kenia guide who works out of Soldotna.

ellieclaragrandpa@yahoo.com

Post when you send the email as I don't regularly check my yahoo account.

Down Deep, I sent you an email this afternoon.
Later... Rockin Randy

I didn't get your email try it again.

ellieclaragrandpa@yahoo.com

Randy....I live in Eagle River about 12 miles north of Anchorage. Late May can be a pretty touchy time with the kings as it is the early part of the season. I have caught them as early as the 8th of May in the Kasilof down on the Kenai peninsula but there are not big numbers of fish in the rivers then. The trolling can be productive off Deep Creek with a guide. Of course the Kenai is 2 1/2 hour drive from Anchorage.

Your other option is heading north to the Matsu Valley...towards Willow and Talkeetna. Also the Little Susitna is usually producing kings by then also. The end of May is my favorite time for targeting big spring rainbows and early kings...this one was caught on May 21 this year about 70 miles up the Big Susitna River:

This is not a well known spot, though is hardly "secret"...from about May 20th thru the first week in June it fishes great for kings...from shore. Putting in about 40 hours fishing time over two weeks last year I hooked into 15 kings there....some bigger than the one pictured. Would be happy to take you to this area myself that time of the year.

I could recommend guides for both the Kenai River, or the Little Susitna, or other Big Susitna tribs....BTW the rainbow fishing in the Valley is excellent then.

Brian.....brianwight@alaska.com