Fishin' for 'Bows!

Jody on the Kenai

It must be September again.  There's a chill in the air, the leaves are changing and Rainbow Trout are in full swing down on the Kenai!  I managed to get myself in on a couple different trips this year and both proved to be worthwhile.

Frank enjoys a little Fall sunshine

 My first trip on the Kenai River was Labor Day weekend.  Class ended and I stepped out of the building into beautiful blue sky and sunshine.  I had spoken with Matt and Heather earlier about their plans to head to Cooper Landing.  I got on the phone and found out they had just arrived in town and had a while before the boat was ready to hit the water.  I raced out of Anchorage on a mission to make it down to Cooper Landing before they wanted to put in.  I made it just in time and, thanks to Billy and Dusty at Trout Fitters, was able to hop into a well loved drift boat.  We spent the day fishing and lounging in the sunshine.

Kenai River Salmon

Matty workin' a drift

Matt and Heather on the Kenai

Another Red!

Heather shows her form

Day 2 was decidedly worse weather, but the 3 J's met up with us bright and early and we got ta floatin'.  Everyone hooked into a few fish right off the bat.  That kinda made up for the lack of sun and we ended up having another great day of fishing and floating in Cooper Landing!

The 3 J's enjoy Day 2

Heather vs Weather

A few weeks later, Dave Lowell flew into town for our annual fishing journey.  This year we opted to head back to Cooper Landing and see if we could land "The Big One" in the cool, fall air.  Dave's arrival was perfectly timed with a window of good weather, so we were off once again, headed south to the Kenai.

My first fish of the trip

Matt and Dave, Over the Rainbow!

Step 1: Catch the Fish

Step 2: Catch Another

Dave shows off another nice fish

Lowell helps me pull in a Rainbow

A beautiful night to be on the river

Day 2 in Cooper Landing

Prof. Kaso puts on a clinic

That's what two feet of trout looks like!

After two days of fishing the Kenai River, we were off.  Matt, Dave, Jody and I thanked Billy and Dusty for the amazing accommodations and all the fishing info and jumped in the car headed for town.  We made a quick pit-stop in Anchorage to refill on supplies and then were back in the car, headed for Talkeetna.  Our plan was to fish up north for a couple days before Dave had to leave.  The fishing was slow, but the weather was amazing!  We had a great hike up Clear Creek and worked the various holes on the way back down.  Eventually, we gave up on fishing and hopped into the raft and got ta floatin' the Talkeetna back to town.  All in all, a beautiful end to an awesome weekend.

I look forward to next year's adventure!!!

Dave and Jody work a drift

Jody and David

Our ever-patient guide 'Matty'