The Alaska Fishing Trip You Deserve
Welcome to Kenai Drift Anglers, your Alaska fishing trip headquarters of the Kenai Peninsula. Here at Kenai Drift Anglers, we focus on the fish, we’re not a large Alaska fishing lodge with out-of-state fishing guides, in fact we’re local Alaskan residents with expert Alaska Salmon & Trout fishing knowledge of the Kenai River & Kasilof River.
Kenai Drift Anglers
"Owned and operated by Scotty Daletas, delivering the best Alaska Fishing trips on the Kenai Peninsula."
We offer an array of freshwater fishing options for our guests from the abundant Sockeye Salmon – Reds, acrobatic Silver Salmon – Coho, home of the World Record Kenai King Salmon – Chinook, fun for the entire family Pink Salmon – Humpies, and last but not least Kenai river Trophy Rainbow Trout & Dolly Varden
Prime Fishing, All Season Long
Certainly, the fishing opportunities here are endless! Above all, we want to make sure your Alaska Fishing trip expectations are exceeded. We would love to share Alaska, our home, with you. Furthermore, we work to provide local Alaska travel tips for your next adventure. Even if you don’t book with us, we’re here to provide answers to any questions you may have about your next Alaska fishing trip.
Why Kenai Drift Anglers?
Simply put, we catch a lot of fish.
Kenai Drift Anglers
Our fishing story
A TRUE ANGLING TEST
Kenai Drift Anglers owned and operated by Scotty Daletas is dedicated to your next Alaska fishing trip. Here at Kenai Drift, we focus on the fish, period. We’re not a full service lodge, but yet a full service guided fishing service.
We customize our Kenai and Kasilof river Salmon and Trout charters around your Alaska fishing needs. Let us show you why Kenai Drift Anglers is the top rated Alaska fishing guide service on the Kenai Peninsula for Salmon and Trout.
Listen to Our Fishing Guest
Don’t just take our word for it, listen to what our fishing guest have to say. We find it best to let our guest share their Alaska Salmon fishing trip stories with you.
It Starts With The Fish
Which Alaskan fish will you target
Featured on
Alaska Fishing Trip Bucket List
King Salmon - Chinook Fishing
After all, we don’t call it the King Salmon for nothing. Also known as the Chinook salmon for our lower 48 friends. The King salmon is the largest of the Pacific Salmon, also the least abundant Pacific salmon.
It should be noted; the Kenai River and Kasilof River definitely have a lot of Alaska King salmon history. For the record, the Kenai River holds the World Record, for the largest King Salmon caught rod-n-reel, Les Anderson massive 97 pounder. In addition to the World Record, the Kenai River holds 7 of the top 10 largest King Salmon caught in the world.
Undoubtedly, your Alaska fishing trip for King Salmon on the Kenai River holds many accolades. Above all, why book Kenai Drift Anglers for your guided King salmon trip? First, it’s all about versatility for your Alaska fishing trip.
In fact, Kenai Drift Anglers guides both Kasilof River and the Kenai River. In addition, it gives our fishing guest more flexibility for their Alaska King Salmon charter. Secondly, it’s important to note we’re guiding everyday; Kenai Drift Anglers is dialed on all recent changes on King Salmon activity. Making sure you stay on top of the fish.
“We Back Up Our Fish Stories”
Alaska King Salmon guided fishing begins for Kenai Drift Anglers earlier than most guide services. We begin our Kasilof River King Salmon drift boat charters, May 15th. This is the Alaska experience, most guest don’t get to partake in, even local Alaskans.
The Kasilof river King fishing is an absolute riot! In fact, catching a Kasilof River King Salmon out of a drift boat is a once in a lifetime experience. The Kasilof River, First Run of King Salmon peaks mid-June and continues to the end of June. The Second Run King Salmon on the Kasilof River begins July 1st and the Alaska King Salmon season comes to an end July 31st.
Kenai River King Salmon season usually starts in July for us. Moreover, we find the Kasilof River more productive early season for King Salmon. However, in July or even late June we make the switch over to the Kenai River when the King Salmon fishing starts to improve.
Nonetheless, by providing the flexibility, knowledge and experience us guides at Kenai Drift Anglers will do what it takes to deliver the best Alaska fishing trip for King Salmon.
$ 295 p/person
Sockeye Salmon - Red Fishing
As a local Alaskan resident, we choose to fill our freezers with fresh wild Kenai River Sockeye Salmon, also known as “Reds.” Your Alaska fishing trip without a doubt should include a Sockeye salmon charter or two, also better known as pound-for-pound the hardest fighting salmon in the world! Our wild Kenai River Sockeye salmon are highly flavorful, richly textured, Alaska delicacy.
In fact, Sockeye salmon eat more Plankton & Shrimp than any other salmon species, making Sockeye a popular salmon to eat, serve and target. Kenai River Sockeye salmon are a prized possession among world-famous sushi chiefs. More importantly, you can catch your Sockeye salmon on a Fly Rod or a Baitcaster, once hooked, you’ll understand why it’s no easy task landing these hard fighting Kenai River Sockeye salmon.
“Sockeye Salmon a Sushi Chief Favorite”
Kenai Drift Anglers guides the most location along the Kenai River & Kasilof River for Sockeye Salmon; you could say we follow the Sockeye run. In addition, we only fish the most productive stretches of Sockeye areas. We don’t have a Sockeye Salmon routine; we take our fishing guest to where the Sockeye are.
Usually, we start seeing Sockeye as early as the first week of June on the Kasilof River. Furthermore, the Kasilof River allows our June guest to be extremely productive for Sockeye salmon fishing. Each year, the Kasilof River averages 300,000-450,000 Sockeye a season. The Kasilof River Sockeye Run peaks, usually early-mid July.
The moment we report large amounts of Sockeye salmon moving into the Kenai River, which are headed for the Russian River, a tributary of the Kenai River, in Cooper Landing, we move our guest to the Kenai River. Along with exceptional Sockeye salmon fishing on the Kasilof River in June, the Kenai River “Early-Sockeye-Run” can be exceptional in June as well.
Furthermore, the Sockeye salmon Second Run also called the “Late-run,” is the most popular Sockeye Salmon run in the world. In fact, we start receiving Second Run Kenai River Sockeye Salmon in the start of July, which peaks usually the last two weeks of July and well into August!
“Largest Road Accessible Sockeye Run in the World”
In July at times, we see over 100,000 Sockeye Salmon per day. However, we have guest who book years in advance for these dates, however the Kenai River and Kasilof River truly provides quality Sockeye salmon fishing all season long. Kenai Drift Anglers 2019 Sockeye Salmon season on the Kenai River saw 1,849,054 Sockeye salmon between “July 1st – August 19th.”
Furthermore, that’s 37,000 Kenai River Sockeye salmon coming into the Kenai River daily. It should be noted, the areas we guide and obtain Sockeye Salmon permits to take our clientele to, we usually need to see around 20,000 Sockeye salmon per day, to provide our guest a limit of Sockeye Salmon! We can’t wait to take you Sockeye salmon fishing on your Alaska fishing trip.
$ 295 p/person
Pink Salmon - Humpback Fishing
Pink salmon, also known as Humpback or Humpies are the most abundant of the Pacific salmon. Even though Pink salmon are the smallest of the five species of salmon, they provide great fishing opportunities for all ages. In fact, kids absolutely love Pink salmon fishing; with an average size of 5-7lbs, is a large fish for a lot of people!
If you’re lucky enough to have your Alaska fishing trip fall on an even-year, you’re in for some great Alaska fishing opportunities. In fact, Pink Salmon literally flood both the Kenai River & Kasilof River in the millions beginning late-July.
We book a variety of Alaska Pink salmon trips on the Kenai River along with the Kasilof River combined with Silver salmon. With humpies returning every semi-annual year: 2020, 2022, 2024 etc. provides our guest with many Alaska fishing options.
“Pink Salmon Fun for the Entire Family”
When the Pink Salmon run becomes strong on the Kenai River in the middle of August, we routinely take Pink salmon fly-fishing trips. Surprisingly, there aren’t many salmon fisheries in the world where you can be a complete novice fly fisherman and catch one after another on the fly rod.
Believe it or not, Pink salmon are the most consumed salmon in the world; they taste great if caught while immediately entering the river. Luckily for our guest, when we want to retain Pink salmon, we take our clients down to the tidewater of the Lower Kenai River. This provides the highest quality Pink salmon fillets for our guest.
Truly, Pink Salmon have a huge impact to our Kenai River and Kasilof River fisheries. Firstly, they provide great tasting meat for our guest if caught in tidewater. Secondly, the limit usually is six Pink salmon per person, which is more than enough for many Alaska fishing trips. Thirdly, Pink Salmon create great catch and release options for fly fisherman, to catch a lot of fish and improve a skill!
“Alaska Fishing Trip of a Lifetime”
To summarize, Pink Salmon really provide that fun Alaska fishing experience many families are looking for. Kenai Drift Anglers educates our guest with similar techniques used for catching Silver salmon to target Pink salmon. Moreover, into the months of September and October on the Kenai River, Pink salmon start to spawn and slowly perish which means one thing to us Kenai River guides.
Rainbow Trout and Dolly Varden fishing on the Kenai River greatly improves! When visiting us, think about a Pink salmon fishing experience for your next Alaska fishing trip!
$295 p/person
Silver Salmon - Coho Fishing
Kenai River Silver Salmon, also known as Coho Salmon are highflying acrobatic, thrilling salmon to catch on your Alaska Fishing trip. When Kenai Drift Anglers flips the calendar to August, it’s time for Silver salmon on the Kenai River & Kasilof River. Not only do we recommend the Kenai River guided Silver salmon fishery, but also the Kasilof River can boast, unbelievable Silver salmon fishing opportunities.
The Kenai River starts to see Silver salmon coming into the river, the 1st of August. This first run of Kenai River Silvers usually peaks the last two weeks of August. However, depending on each Silver salmon run, we guide on both the Lower Kenai River and Middle Kenai River, providing our guest the flexibility and best Silver fishing opportunities.
In addition, the Kasilof River also starts to get flooded with Kasilof River Silver salmon; we tailor our trips accordingly to what is fishing best for our guest. Not only do we see World-Class Silver Salmon fishing in the month of August, but also we use a variety of fishing techniques to target Silver Salmon on both the Kenai River and Kasilof River.
“Local Alaska Resident Fishing Guide”
As August passes, the month of September begins which means our fall-time Silver salmon fishery begins. Unlike the First-run Silver salmon, where we usually see the limit of two Silver salmon per person, per day, September increases the limit to three Silver salmon per person, per day on the Kenai River.
It’s important to note, our Second-run Silver Salmon along with the Alaska fall colors, makes the Kenai River truly a special place to be. In addition to the beautiful Alaska Silver salmon scenery, we have a variety of Alaska fishing options. One day, we can be bouncing eggs on the Kasilof River in just a few feet of water, to the next day casting spinners, Kwikfish, Bobber-doggin, fly fishing and back trolling on the Kenai River for Silver salmon.
Our Kenai River Silver salmon range from 8-15lbs, with silvers being caught over 15lbs. As guides on the Kenai River we truly look forward to sharing our Silver salmon fishing season with you. Along with the variety of fishing locations Kenai Drift Anglers can provide, too the array of knowledge we have on Silver salmon fishing techniques.
Without a doubt, if you get the opportunity to come to take a guided Silver salmon fishing trip with us in August, September or October we are here to make your Alaska fishing trip, the best fishing experience on the Kenai Peninsula.
$ 295 p/person
Rainbow Trout - Dolly Varden
It’s no surprise; the Kenai River is commonly overshadowed from the World-Class salmon fishing. Years ago, only the select die-hard rainbow trout fly fisherman knew about the Trophy Rainbow Trout, that call the Kenai River home.
Now, fast-forward to 2020, the Kenai River provides great Trout fishing to novice Fly fisherman to even advanced anglers. In fact, Kenai Drift Anglers offers Fly Fisherman and Spin Fisherman a unique Rainbow Trout experience tailored to all levels of anglers on their Alaska Fishing trip.
Why does the Kenai River hold so many Trophy Rainbow Trout & Dolly Varden? Simple, it begins with the Salmon. With all the salmon returning to the Kenai River in the summer, they slowly spawn and begin to perish, this is what the Rainbow Trout devour on, it’s pretty much a Steak and Egg buffet for our resident Rainbows.
“Trophy Rainbow Trout Fly Fishing”
The Kenai River Rainbow Trout fishery opens every year at 12:01 a.m. on June 11th below Skilak Lake. This is your opportunity to catch, Rainbow Trout & Arctic char/Dolly Varden in Alaska’s finest Trout fishery. First, it’s important to note, the Kenai River Trout fishery is broken into 3 areas along the 82 mile stretch of river: Upper Kenai Trout Fishing, Middle Kenai River Trout Fishing and Lower Kenai River Trout Fishing.
As we routinely guide all three areas, we’re regularly found fishing the Lower Kenai River & Middle Kenai River for Trout. We find the most success down in the lower sections of river, near Sterling, Soldotna and the town of Kenai. This is due to the bulk of the Salmon coming through this prestigious part of the Kenai River; also the use of powerboats makes running drifts efficiently for Trout.
Kenai Drift Anglers is setup with our Sponsor Streem Outdoors for our fly rods and Lamiglas Spin rods for Trout. Along with using light tackle, we also use only the highest quality gear on both Salmon & Trout trips.
Planning your Alaska fishing trip around the Kenai River Trout feeding season, not only do we recommend the months of August, September and October, but also Trout fishing is an all season event on the Kenai River with June and July providing great fishing opportunities. Moreover, the later months is the time, Salmon are actively spawning and really gets our Kenai River Trout hormones going.
“Kenai River Steak & Egg Buffet”
To summarize, we really do have a special Rainbow Trout fishery on the Kenai River. Along with the lengthy Trout season, it also allows great flexibility for all types of fisherman to catch a Kenai River Rainbow Trout on their Alaska fishing trip. Make sure when looking into a Alaska Trout trip, you keep in mind that local Alaska fishing guide knowledge goes along ways in your success out on the river. Here at Kenai Drift Anglers we can help with our local Kenai River fishing guide insight.
$295 p/person
Alaska Fly-Out Fishing Charter Plane
It’s no surprise the Kenai Peninsula is home to World-Class Salmon and Trout fishing on the Kenai River & Kasilof River. Furthermore, it’s truly just the beginning of your Alaska fishing trip.
Luckily for our guest, you’re just a 30-minute flight across the Cook Inlet to some unprecedented Alaska salmon fishing. We combine our freshwater-guided Kenai & Kasilof River trips with our Fly-out fishing trip options to Wolverine Creek, Crescent Lake, Big River Lakes, Bachtna River, Chuitna River, Kustatam and the Nushagak River.
The West Side of the Cook Inlet is home to the untouched prestigious land of Alaska you’ve only seen on T.V. or something out of a National Geographic Magazine. Sockeye salmon and bears frequent this area in June through July, while the Nushagak King Salmon run peaks in the last two weeks of June and the 1st week of July, seeing King salmon numbers nearly reach 100,000 a season.
“Experiences Alaskas Remote Wilderness”
Along with the great fishing opportunities the Kenai Peninsula offers, we love providing our clients the opportunity to see a part of Alaska many don’t get the chance to see. Many streams on the West Side of the Cook Inlet provide Silver salmon opportunities before the Kenai River & Kasilof River do. It’s not uncommon to see Silver salmon entering these streams in the last week of July through September. These Alaska Fly-out fishing trips provide ample opportunities to catch Silver salmon on the fly.
To summarize, imagine waking up to your own Turbine Otter or Beaver Plane just minutes away from takeoff to Alaska’s most untouched rivers. We have many customized options from the short Alaska Fly-out fishing trips to, as remote as your would like to get. From Salmon, Rainbow Trout, Dollies, Grayling, Northern Pike to Bear Viewing. Reach out to Kenai Drift Anglers to plan your Alaska Fly Out fishing trip of a lifetime.
Price depends on destination*
Alaska Fishing Trips
Not All Boats Are Created Equal
In fact, our boats are the most customized Willie boats in Alaska. For instance, our Kenai River charters have heated seats and a walk thru seating to increase our fishing success.
Our Alaska Guide Fleet
Imagine a cold early Alaskan morning, the anticipation is growing, your Alaska fishing trip is beginning. You’ll be treated to our Fresh Local Alaskan Coffee, along with a warm heated seat for our Kenai River Charters along with a built-in propane heater on our Kasilof River Charters. Two boats and two rivers to serve you, the Kasilof River provides the Alaskan experience you’ve been searching for. The Kasilof River has outlawed motorized vessels and provides a unique Alaska fishing trip.
The world famous Kenai River provides some of the best fishing opportunities at the largest salmon in the world. Along with the the world-class salmon fishing we also have the most custom Kenai River power boat on the water. This vessel is decked out, for our guest comfort while landing that fish of a lifetime.
Kenai River Guided Salmon trips & Kasilof River Guided Salmon trips.
Kenai River Power Boat Charter
Kasilof River Drift Boat Charter
Kenai River Power Boat
Our Kenai River fishing boat is a work-horse, fully custom from bow to stern, we have designed this boat over the years to be hands down the most productive Salmon fishing boat on the Kenai River. Not only does our boat provide the room needed to land that big salmon or trout, but also the added comfort for whatever weather Alaska may throw at us. With the only heated seats on the water, we make sure that our guest stay warm.
Along with providing heated seats just as hot as your fishing experience, we’ve added special addition memory foam Willie seats and tons of storage for your gear. We can’t wait to share with you our Kenai River guide boat and show you difference of fishing with Kenai Drift Anglers.
Kasilof River Drift Boat
A Kasilof river guided trip is the fishing adventure that many Alaska travelers don’t get the opportunity to experience. Furthermore, most guest traveling to Alaska don’t get the opportunity to fish on a boat like this. We’ve added this drift boat to our Alaska fleet in 2020 and can’t wait to share it with you.
Our new Willies drift boat comes fully loaded with a built-in propane bow heater and even a bow pizza oven! All 19 feet of this boat is designed to be more productive for our Kasilof River King salmon and Silver salmon trip. The walk-thru design helps our guest have the extra room when for comfort and also landing that fish of a lifetime. Do yourself a favor and see why everyones talking about the Kasilof river guided fishing trips.