1-800-622-1177
Specific
Alaska Fishing Information
Thank
you for your interest in
Alaska Fishing with Mark Glassmaker.
Since 1990,
we have been assisting Alaska visitors in planning professionally guided,
high-quality fishing adventures to the Kenai Peninsula. From their lodging,
fishing, sightseeing and travel
arrangements, it has been our foremost priority to provide our guests
with only the highest quality of services. My wife Cindy and I offer
honest, detailed information for the customer to base their decisions
on. For most, a trip to Alaska is a very special, even "once in
a lifetime" occasion and we want it to meet all of your expectations.
This is why we encourage you to fully research your destination and
the various activities you plan to pursue. A well established game plan
will go a long way toward making sure you not only catch fish, but that
your entire trip flows smoothly. Most importantly, we urge you to make
all necessary lodging and fishing
reservations as soon as possible to secure optimal dates. Many weeks
are filled over a year in advance.
On all of
our guided fishing trips, we provide all of the necessary fishing gear.
We are very particular about the equipment we use and you should expect
nothing but the best. All of our boats are new, clean, and comfortable.
On the rivers, we use both 20-foot power and drift boats that are custom
designed for the water we fish. Both vessels comfortably accommodate
four passengers. Once aboard you will see only top of the line fishing
equipment. We are factory sponsored by Fish-On! / Tempress and they
supply only the finest seats, rod holders and additional marine equipment
for our guests. As an exclusive Pro Staff member for Lamiglas
fishing rods, we also have the privilege of providing the most advanced
rods on the market today. With over fifty years of experience designing
salmon and steelhead rods, Lamiglas has established an industry standard
that we are proud to represent. To compliment these fine fishing rods,
we exclusively offer Shimano reels. This
combination gets the job done every day against some of the most demanding
fisheries in the world. In addition to premium rods and reels, you can
expect only the sharpest hooks, most innovative and proven lures and
the freshest bait. We hand wash every inch of our gear and boats after
all of our trips, so you can expect everything to be spotless when we
meet you in the morning.
KING
ME!
During king season, we
offer both full and half day fishing trips. On the Kenai, guides are
restricted to fishing between the hours of 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM in May,
June and July. Accordingly, we begin in the morning at 5:30 AM. Full
day trips allow for 8-10 hours of fishing time, typically from 6AM to
3-4PM. We also offer two half day trips daily, one in the morning from
5:30AM to 11:30AM and an afternoon trip from 12:00PM to 6:00PM. While
there are a number of days when a half day trip offers ample opportunity
at catching a Kenai King, a full day trip does afford you additional
flexibility as you have the boat for the entire day and sometimes an
extra 2-3 hours can make a big difference. We also fish the Kasilof
River, and this is a drift boat only fishery (no motors). Far more glacial
(murky) than the Kenai, the Kasilof is 15 miles to the south and flows
from the largest lake on the Kenai Peninsula, Tustamena Lake.
It is important to remember
that the Kenai is not known for producing daily limits or extraordinary
numbers of kings. In fact many other rivers in Alaska surpass the Kenai
in sheer numbers of king salmon. The Kenai is a trophy river. It holds
the largest STRAIN of king salmon in the world with the average fish
weighing 35-40 lbs. King salmon over fifty pounds are actually common,
and nine out of the ten largest kings EVER CAUGHT were taken from the
Kenai River. The world record was set here in May 1985 with a Kenai
king that weighed 97lbs. Kenai King Salmon can also be very difficult
to catch and fishing from a boat is paramount. The Kenai is a very refined
fishery where it has been accurately portrayed that 10 % of the guides
catch 90 % of the king salmon.
The Kenai and the Kasilof
each have two annual returns of king salmon.
On the Kenai, the early run begins in May and lasts until the end of
June. While this run has less fish (15-year average of approximately
15,000 fish) and is less predictable than the late run, it also sees
far less fishing pressure. The early run on the Kenai also coincides
with an early run of both hatchery and wild king salmon on the Kasilof
River and these two fisheries make both May and June a great time to
visit. We are prepared to fish each river daily so we will often schedule
our king salmon trips for either the Kenai or the Kasilof in May and
June, and then let you decide the evening prior to your trip according
to current fishing conditions. We always recommend fishing both of these
beautiful rivers, as each destination offers its own unique experience.
Pertinent information
regarding early-run kings on both the Kenai and the Kasilof:
Kenai Early Run:
- Season:
May 1 - June 30
- Regulations:
Single Hook, No Bait. No retention slot: 44-55 inches. One fish per
day, two per year. No fishing after retention. Closed to guided fishing
Sundays and Mondays.
- Peak time:
June 10-20
Kasilof Early Run:
- Season:
May 15 - June 30
- Regulations:
Multiple Hooks, Bait Allowed, Retention of hatchery fish (adipose
clipped) 7 days a week, retention of wild fish on Tuesdays and Saturdays
only. Limit one fish per day, five per season. Fishing after retention
allowed.
- Peak time:
May 25 - June 15
The late run of Kenai Kings
is one of the most popular fisheries in all of Alaska. The annual return
typically peaks in the last two weeks of July. The Kenai opens to the
use of bait on July 1 and this greatly improves fishing success. You
can expect excellent king fishing during the entire month. The annual
average for this run is close to 40,000 fish. This late run of king
salmon represents the peak of our season and combined with the late
run of sockeye salmon, one can expect the Kenai River and surrounding
communities to be very busy. We suggest making reservations up to a
year in advance, especially for the last two weeks of July.
In July, the Kasilof has
an entirely wild return of late run kings. Since fishing pressure is
very low and the number of fish is high, we encourage our July guests
to consider a day of drift boat fishing in addition to the more popular
(and crowded) Kenai fishery. This late run of Kings in the Kasilof is
a big, hard fighting fish often exceeding 40 pounds. Fighting these
big kings with no motor in extremely fast current is a very challenging
and remarkable experience.
All Kasilof trips, both
early and late run are all full days. This allows ample time to shuttle
our trailer to the take out and cover all the water necessary to make
the day as productive and enjoyable as possible.
Even though Kenai and Kasilof
King Salmon hold the most lore of the Kenai Peninsula's fishing opportunities,
these fisheries barely scratch the surface when it comes to the myriad
of angling opportunities available. We also offer unbelievable king
salmon fishing in remote locations such as the Chuitna River and the
Nushagak as well as remote locations on Kodiak Island. Please see our
flyout pages for more information on these
more extreme king salmon adventures.
SUPER
SOCKEYE!
From mid June into August,
we offer a wide variety of fishing trips targeting wild Alaska sockeye
salmon. These powerful fighters are mint bright, just out of the
saltwater, and average 8-12 lbs. Sockeye are considered the finest table
fare of all the pacific salmon. The first sockeye (reds) of the season
are heading for the rocky, fast moving tributary of the upper Kenai
near Cooper Landing named the Russian River. This fishery begins in
mid June and extends all the way through late July. 
Also
in mid June, we see strong numbers of sockeye salmon in remote, fly
out locations such as Big River Lake. In July, the Kenai receives a
very large return of late-run sockeye. These fish tend to arrive in
very high numbers all at once. The peak of this run normally arrives
in mid July with good fishing into the first week of August.
BIG
TROUT
Trout fishing opens in
mid-June and extends well into late October. Kenai trout populations
are in excellent shape and multiple fish days are very common. Kenai
rainbows average a remarkable 20 inches and fish over five pounds are
really quite common. We see many trophy class rainbows over the course
of the season with the largest fish well over 30 inches long. Along
with the rainbows we also catch dolly varden
and arctic char. 
These
fish are very aggressive and strong fighters. Although you are allowed
to retain one rainbow or dolly per day less than 18 inches, we maintain
a strict catch and release policy for both these species. A day of trout
fishing can often be the highlight to a great week of Alaska fishing.
The sheer numbers and average size of the fish will amaze even the most
seasoned trout angler and this has always been one of our favorite trips.
SPECTACULAR
SILVERS
During August and September,
our primary pursuit becomes Silver, or
Coho salmon. The Kenai and the Kasilof receive very robust early
runs of silver salmon with good to excellent fishing from early August
to early September. The limit is two fish. In addition to the silvers,
we also have pink salmon in August and
September, but ONLY in EVEN years. The Kenai also has a prominent late
run of silver salmon that begins in September and continues well into
October. On most days, we can fish for both trout and silvers
in the same portion of the river, making for a very well rounded fishing
experience. Overnight temperatures can begin to dip below the freezing
mark beginning in late August and September. With leaves ablaze and
the landscape in full color, the scenery can be breathtaking at this
time of year. Despite the frosty mornings, fall fishing is perhaps the
most prolific and extraordinary of our entire summer season.
In
addition to the Kenai and the Kasilof we also offer a wide range of
remote, fly-out silver trips that will easily rival the best coho fishing
in the entire state. Most of these remote locations are just a short
flight to the west side of Cook Inlet. Since these fish see very little
fishing pressure, they are aggressive beyond belief. We can employ a
wide variety of fishing techniques with fly fishing being very effective.
We also commonly use salmon eggs beneath bobbers as well as spinners.
These remote silver trips are also a great way to see a portion of Alaska
from the air. The west Side of Cook Inlet is extremely scenic with several
coastal volcanoes standing tall in the distance. Steep snow covered
mountains, endless glaciers and thousands of lakes and rivers blanket
the landscape. Setting down in this piscatorial paradise is a very special
experience, one we feel very privileged to offer our guests. After many
years of flying with Alaska West Air and exploring these unique and
remote fisheries, we can show you in one day what many will never experience
in a lifetime of angling.
STEELHEAD
DREAMS
Beginning in late August
and running well into late fall, early winter, Steelhead trout return
to a handful of smaller rivers on the southern Kenai Peninsula. The
two primary rivers are the Anchor and Deep Creek. These ocean going
rainbow trout are newly arriving from nearby Cook Inlet and their aggressive
hard fight make them a tempting target for fall visitors and locals
alike. Steelhead Trout are completely catch and release, you're not
even allowed to take them out of the water for a picture. Trust me,
the memory will last forever. We offer walk in trips for these Kenai
Peninsula metalheads beginning in late August and extending well in
November.
BARN DOOR HALIBUT
If you would like to enjoy
some of the best halibut fishing in Alaska,
neighboring Cook Inlet, Homer and Seward are all great choices. Fishing
remains good to excellent for most of the summer with tides and weather
being the biggest factor. Cook Inlet has the second highest tides in
the world and water movement can be 20+ feet each way, twice daily.
The force of the incoming or outgoing tide can make it very difficult
for even several pounds of weight to find the bottom. 
The
best fishing is usually at the high or the low when the tide has ebbed.
Tides with the least amount of water moving between the high and the
low are optimal. We will help you pick the best tide for your stay.
We use only the finest halibut captains in Deep Creek, Homer and Seward.
They are experienced skippers with very professional operations and
excellent people skills. They will assure your safety with custom designed
28-32 foot offshore fishing boats with enclosed cabins and powerful
engines. They are the "specialists" at what they do. 
WHY FISH WITH
US?
Whether you're after a
record size king salmon or the chance to hook a wild Alaska steelhead
on a fly rod, we have the experience, expertise and versatility to make
it happen. We are not a "charter service," with a boat tied
up to the same dock, fishing the same holes, day in and day out. Like
the fish, we are always moving, trying to stay one step ahead of our
competition and the fish. Fishing with an experienced, professional,
courteous and knowledgeable guide will help guarantee your fishing trip
is successful. We always give 100% effort from the beginning to the
end of each trip. We will go out of our way to make sure you are comfortable
and well taken care of. We enjoy answering questions about the techniques
we use and the fish we are pursuing. We consider our guides and our
business a guardian of the river and we greatly respect the resource
that is our livelihood. We encourage you to check our references
to affirm the quality of our services. We have included a list of previous
customers with this letter and can provide many more upon request. In
the event our own guides are already booked for the day you plan to
fish, we have a hand picked staff of associate guides that we use. You
can be sure that these are only first class captains that hold high
standards for their fishing techniques and equipment. Like us, they
will do everything possible to ensure you have a great experience. We
will not place you with another guide that does not meet our high standards,
as many do not.
It is important to understand
that the Kenai Peninsula is very popular. This is largely due to the
wide variety of fishing options along with its proximity (3hrs.) from
Anchorage, Alaska's largest city. Being road accessible, the Kenai does
attract an abundance of summer anglers, with June and July and August
(particularly the last two weeks of each month) being the busiest. There
are many guides in this area, and just like any other business, prices
vary. Some may be offering discounted "cheap seats," but buyer
beware; you usually get what you pay for. Another option may
be to stay at a lodge where all activities, lodging and meals are included
in a package price. This package price is usually inflated and often
the guides are inexperienced, over worked and under paid. I have found
that most would prefer to avoid the set schedule of packaged activities
and establish their own fishing schedule.
Our rates are not based
on "package prices." All trips are priced per day. This allows
us to create a custom package for every customer. We have guests that
fish anywhere from one day to two weeks, each trip is completely different.
We have four of our own cabins adjacent to our Lodge on the Kenai River
and we use over a dozen high quality rental cabins that we can book
for you. This simply allows you the ability to keep both lodging and
fishing on one invoice, with one deposit and one balance. We are very
proud of our cabins and they are all new,
clean and well furnished. They all have full kitchens, full baths, cooking
and eating utensils, and linens. They also include satellite television
and phone.
ADDITIONAL
COSTS
In addition to the lodging
and fishing, there are several other costs associated with your trip.
One is airfare to Anchorage. Once you arrive
in Anchorage, you will need to rent a car
and drive approximately 3 hours south on the Kenai Peninsula to the
town of Soldotna, or take a 20 minute commuter flight with ERA
Aviation (1-800-866-8394, or flyera.com)
to the town of Kenai and then rent a car from there. ERA offers flights
every hour, but you will need advance reservations. Another expense
will be food. We provide coffee, juice, water and snacks on all trips.
You will be responsible for all other meals. If you would like to save
money, we recommend taking advantage of the full kitchens in the cabins
to cook your own meals. Many prefer to barbeque a filet of fish they
caught that day on our outdoor gas grills. If you prefer not to cook,
there are a wide variety of restaurants
in the immediate area. Between Soldotna and Kenai you will find everything
from fresh seafood to fine Italian dining. There is also pizza, several
major fast food establishments and large modern grocery/super
stores.
OUR LOCATION
Our home and business headquarters
is located five miles upriver from the town of Soldotna in a small section
of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. We have over two acres and 225
feet of prime Kenai River front property for you to enjoy and fish from
during your stay. Although there are many places to fish on your own,
having private access, especially during the busy red salmon season,
is very convenient. In cooperation with Alaska Fish and Wildlife, we
have installed two sets of light penetrating, galvanized walkways along
the river. This allows our guests to enjoy the riverside fishing without
damaging the sensitive shoreline habitat.
FISHING LICENSE
An Alaska State Fishing
License is required and you will be able to purchase this at any of
the local grocery stores, gas stations, tackle shops, etc… They
offer a variety of licenses to suit the length of your stay. If you
will be fishing for king salmon, you will be required to purchase a
king stamp in addition to your regular sport fishing license. For all
of the current rates and license options or to purchase your license
online, please visit:
http://www.state.ak.us/local/akpages/FISH.GAME/
FISH PROCESSING
As part of your trip, your
fish will be cleaned and prepared for processing . We have an excellent
processor located in the town of Soldotna that will be awaiting
your catch. Although you are welcome to take care of your catch any
way you like, we highly recommend having your salmon and halibut filleted
into meal size portions and vacuum-sealed into individual packages.
Smoking and lox services are also available in a variety of flavors.
Vacuum sealing + freezing averages $1.25 per pound and smoking $3.50
per pound. You can store all of your fish in the processor's freezer
until you are ready to depart. At the end of your stay, they will package
your fish in an insulated, wax-coated box for transportation home on
the airplane as luggage. They also offer over-night shipping services,
although this is considerably more expensive.
THANK YOU FOR
CONSIDERING OUR SERVICES
We hope this gives you
a good impression of how our business operates. We will always do everything
we can to make sure your trip is everything you expected and more. Please
call, email or write any time
if you would like to establish reservations and/or would like additional
information. Thank you very much for your interest and we sincerely
hope to have you aboard some day very soon.
Sincerely,
Mark and Cindy
Glassmaker
Alaska Fishing with Mark Glassmaker
