Lower Kenai River Float- No fish but interesting

So after battling reds until my arms fell off, there was a lull so I decided to try something different.  I launched from Cunningham Park at 1:30 pm for a 3pm high tide.

I was wondering how far I could go upstream.  I thought maybe I could get to the High Banks where the sonar is.  But to my surprise, I had no problem making it to Beaver Creek hole.  About river mile 6 to river mile 10 I think in a tad over an hour.  I had the tide helping me but there was slight current downstream about two thirds of the time.

Didn't see a single red jumper so I opted to fish kings.  One major league takedown bottom bouncing a k16 kwikfish but it didn't hook up.

River was pretty murky and only 4 to 6 inch of visibility below mud island.

SO a few observations.

1) I was surprised I easily made it up river that far.

2) There is no way the sonar count for sockeyes are correct.  My gut feeling is they are off a factor of 2. This comes from a network of dipnetters and visuals in Soldotna.  Combined with info from the test netting in river by F&G.  It's been good, but not record breaking like the numbers say.  Just my opinion.

3) I think as long as its not insane, you can use a hobie amongst the powerboats as easily as a drift boat can.  It s not ideal, but its not unsafe either if you keep your head on a swivel. I'm going to do it again. 




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I saw two nice kings caught not too far from eagle rock on Thursday.

I don't know what to think about the red numbers. I haven't been down there enough to say.

Dipping was a little slow surprisingly and I wasn't out there when the commercial guys were fishing.

I saw a fair amount of reds upriver I thought. Way upriver. I think they are blasting through faster than normal maybe?

It's been good, but not crazy.  I've managed to get limits 6 days in a row.  Speed of limiting varies, depending upon how big a surge of fish swing by.

If you did that, I might have to try it when the silvers come in.  Fun

It's been good, but not crazy.  I've managed to get limits 6 days in a row.  Speed of limiting varies, depending upon how big a surge of fish swing by.

If you did that, I might have to try it when the silvers come in.  Fun

We limited three people including an 11yr old rookie. Wed, Thur, Fri. Didn't try Sat due to slow reports. Fishing was great but not 200k per day great. Multiple reports on Saturday of long hours of dipping for minimal fish (15 to 40). 

First peak is over. Test index down to 12. Now just got to see if there is another surge.


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