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Less people – It’s no secret that the Kenai Peninsula can get crowded during the summer months. The potential of a World Record King Salmon combined with a massive run of tasty Sockeye Salmon attracts anglers from all over the world during the busy month of July. Don’t get me wrong, I totally understand why it’s a popular time of the year, but many folks living in or traveling to Alaska are looking for a bit more of the true “Alaska experience” than they often get during the high season. The fall is a much more serene environment here on the Kenai with less crowds on the highways, shorter lines in the stores, and less anglers on the river!
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Active fishing – I enjoy catching fish any way/place/technique/time that I can, but every true angler enjoys being a part of the success (or not) that takes place on a particular fishing trip. Back trolling for King Salmon is a thrilling experience when the rod goes down, but the angler has very little to do with the results. On the other hand, while fishing for Silver Salmon and Rainbow Trout in the late fall we spend a lot of time actively casting and using techniques that allow the angler to use their skills.
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Trout – The massive salmon runs that overwhelm the Kenai often overshadow one of the world’s most impressive Rainbow Trout fisheries. I’ve said it many time, “Some fisheries have big trout. Some fisheries have lots of trout. The Kenai has BOTH.” The feeding frenzy that takes place on the Kenai River in late fall is nothing short of amazing. Hungry Rainbow Trout and Dolly Varden of epic proportions seemingly come out of the woodworks in order to eat at one of nature’s most grand dining tables. Anglers willing to spend some time chasing these Trout are often rewarded by an encounter with the largest one they’ve ever seen.
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Diversity – One of my favorite things about the fall is the wide array of fisheries that one can take advantage of within a short distance. Whether it’s location, species, or fishing techniques the diversity is unmatched by any other time of the year. Point in a random direction from home base and there’s a different fishery to pursue in every direction.
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Wildlife – Partly because of the lack of crowds, and also because of the general time of the season, the fall is the best time to spot wildlife along the roadside and riverside of the Kenai. Your likelihood of spotting all the signature Alaskan species are increased dramatically. There’s nothing more Alaskan than reeling in a chrome Silver Salmon, putting it in the boat, and then turning around and spotting a huge moose on the other bank, while a bald eagle perches on a cottonwood above. It happens more often than you might think.
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