Two buddies and I are arriving in Anchorage on 6/22/00. We only have five days to fish. We're renting a 4X4 with a camper and trying to decide on either going to Willow area or the Kenai Peninsula. Basically we've fished over twenty years each in Washington state for steelies and salmon. I understand the combat scene's pretty hard to avoid and we're not exactly strangers to it having spent a lot of time in places such as Blue Creek on the Cowlitz. Neither are we expecting an ideal experience catching chrome kings in complete solitude devoid of drunken rookies, bears and bugs. Could anyone suggest who we may contact (once we arrive) for the latest info concerning hot spots, tackle, guide services, sled or driftboat rental(?), good places to camp, etc? I'm also interested in hearing about the experiences of any of you reading this. Thanks.

It very unusual how the sockeye up there always take the hook on the outside of their mouths! LOL

From what I understand, Willow provides some pretty good action. But it is very busy and most fish are supposedly pretty dark (this comes from Anchorage clients that come to fish the Kasilof with me). Try Gary King's Sporting Goods in Anchorage for the info you're looking for. Overall, the reports I've heard (not the most reliable, mind you) have not been the best this year.

Heading south, you're coming down my way, and I can help a little more (although it might not be the best news) there:

Small streams: Anchor, Deep Creek, Ninilchik are all closed

Kenai: lousy first run this year will make the odds of trying to catch one from the bank about that of winning the lottery. Very well may be closed when you get there judging from offical numbers.

Based on the lateness of your arrival, the Russian mouth may be a bet for you if you want to do the sockeye thing ... king fishing is winding down everywhere at that point until the next shot of fish in July.

Kasilof: Average run so far. First-run fish will be winding down. If you catch on to 'lining' them well enough, you can sort through the fish at the mouth of Crooked Creek (THE bank spot) to find some decent fish. Those from boats working in tidewater will have a better shot at new fish as well as the second-run fish trickling in at that point that don't hug into the Crooked Creek water in the "People's Hole". Expect plenty of company at the bank spot ... been plenty of boats too in the main river (although there are creative ways around that )with very poor fishing on the Kenai.

Seward / Homer Enhancement fisheries: Homer is far more popular, and offers better odds of catching a fish from what I've seen. Crazy scene though, better a spectator acivity than a participating angler in my book ... take an olympic-sized pool, through in a few hundred kings, arm a hundred or more anglers with pixies, then cut loose!!
Even if you opt to not fish it, it's worth watching.

You can pull our river reports page for info on these (usually updated every day or two unless I'm swamped with river work). Or try, Ken's Alaskan Tackle in Soldotna for some info. Should you fellas decide to do some guided fishing, we have trips available as does Ken's (and about 400 other guides)

Have Fun!

Thanks a lot for the info, Bob. I hope your the rule and not the exception when it comes to useful info.

Jay