The Upper Kasilof River: Guiding one of the Best Alaskan Fishing Trips
When I think about the perfect Kenai peninsula fishing experience, I always find myself returning to the Upper Kasilof River. As a guide and avid angler, there’s something truly special about this stretch of water, from its peaceful atmosphere to its abundant wildlife and amazing fishing opportunities. It’s a place where the river and its surroundings mesh to create an unforgettable experience, and I feel lucky every day I am on it.
Here’s why I love being an Upper Kasilof River Fishing Guide, and why I think it’s one of the best places on the Kenai peninsula for a memorable Alaskan adventure.
1. An Intimate River Experience
One of the things I love most about the Upper Kasilof River is its quiet, peaceful nature when compared to its bigger neighbor-the Kenai. The Kasilof is a perfect contrast to some of the more crowded rivers in Alaska, offering anglers a chance to connect with the river and nature without quite as much hustle and bustle. The Upper Kasilof is known for its glacial blue waters and serene surroundings, making it ideal for anyone looking to escape into the wilderness.
2. Incredible Fishing, Especially for Sockeye Salmon
The Upper Kasilof is an incredible place for fishing, especially for sockeye salmon. June and July are the prime months for sockeye salmon fishing here, with the river at times boiling with these hard-fighting fish. These fish are strong, fast, and challenging to catch. One thing that is important to note is the tidal nature of the Kasilof river, which causes fish to enter into the river in large pulses, and not typically a steady flow. The river is short, at only 19 miles long from the mouth to headwaters. This means that the fast moving sockeye salmon can clear the fishable section of river in less than 24 hours. For this reason you need to know where to be, and when to be there to intercept these schools of fish as they travel up river. The Kasilof river is notorious for being feast-or-famine. In one spot anglers can be hauling fish in nearly as fast as they can get their lines in the water. Meanwhile just upstream, downstream or even across the river there is nothing happening. That is where we at Chadwick’s Fishing Guide service come in. With years of experience fishing the Kasilof river, we are always in the loop and know where in the river to expect the best fishing at any given time. Give us a call today to book a trip and see for yourself why we love the Upper Kasilof river so much.
3. Abundant Wildlife
The Upper Kasilof River provides great wildlife viewing, and that’s another reason why I enjoy being a Kasilof River fishing guide. The river has lots of bald eagles, frequent moose and even a family of playful river otters. The Upper Kasilof is also a bird watchers paradise with sightings of all types of birds, especially waterfowl, various birds of prey and shorebirds. Although less common on this river, there is even the off chance of sighting a bear.
4. Easy Wading
For those who enjoy wading while fishing (Usually a necessity while targeting sockeye salmon) the Upper Kasilof is the perfect fit. The river’s gradual gravel shorelines make it easy to wade into the water and fish at a variety of spots. The shorelines small gravel, gentle slope and relatively snag free bottom allow anglers to comfortably move through the water, making it ideal for anglers of any mobility. It is the perfect location for anglers to learn and tune in their sockeye salmon flossing technique.
5. Glacial Blue Water and Scenic Views
The glacial blue color of the Upper Kasilof is one of its most striking features. The river’s water is fed by the nearby glaciers, giving it a unique, milky blue color. It’s not only visually stunning, but it makes for a cool contrast with the surrounding lush green forest and bright pink patches of blooming fireweed.
6. Minimal Powerboats
Another aspect I appreciate about being an Upper Kasilof River Guide is the lack of powerboats. Many rivers in Alaska can get busy with motorized traffic. On the Upper Kasilof it’s much more common to see oar powered drift boats rather than large engined powerboats. This makes the experience feel more natural and allows for a quieter, more peaceful journey down the river. We guide clients using oar-powered 20 foot drift boats, which makes for a smooth, controlled ride as we drift downriver. This allows us to enjoy the river at our own pace. The addition of a 5hp outboard allows us to pick up the pace if needed. One of the trip highlights is a relaxing drift home with a limit of sockeye salmon in the boat.
7. The Journey: From Tustumena Lake to the Sterling highway Bridge
Our Upper Kasilof guided fishing trips begin at the headwaters of Tustumena Lake, where the river begins its journey. From there, we head downstream, enjoying the views and the fishing until we reach the Hwy 1 bridge. This stretch of river is semi technical, with some small sets of rapids and sections of fast water. It is one of the most beautiful and peaceful stretches of river on the Kenai Peninsula. For many, the journey is just as much a part of the experience as the fishing itself! To get the best experience out of this trip, we only offer 3/4 and Full day length trips. A half day trip just isn’t enough time to take it all in!
8. A Personal Connection to the River
For me, the Kasilof River has become more than just a place to guide clients or fish—it’s a place I feel connected to. As an Upper Kasilof river fishing guide, each trip down the river is an opportunity for me to share not only something special, but also something uniquely Alaskan with visitors. Limited access to the river only via boat operated by an experienced captain ensures a unique experience that not every visitor will get to enjoy.
Conclusion
Trips down the Upper Kasilof River are always an adventure that I look forward to sharing with our visitors. With so much to offer a guided trip down the river is an experience that’s hard to beat. If you’re ever in Alaska and looking for a peaceful, scenic, and productive fishing trip, the Upper Kasilof should definitely be at the top of your list. To book a trip on the Kasilof river give us a call at (907)312-0039 or fill out our Simple Contact form on our website.
