A Day on the Kenai River with Outgoing Angling

When I knew for sure that I was going to be up in Alaska for a week of travel before bringing Hadley home after her year and a half living there, I messaged a guide friend who has spent a lot of time working up there asking for a guide recommendation, knowing that we'd be near the Kenai River during the trip.  He responded back to reach out to Captain Jordan Carter of Outgoing Angling. 

I sent Jordan a message on Instagram and he was honest up front that we'd be there at not really the best time as far as migratory fish in the river but Hadley and I still wanted to experience a float on the Kenai River.  Jordan was great to work with on planning for the day and it was a wonderful way to wrap up several days in Homer and Seward before heading back to Palmer to get her packed up.

We met Jordan early on Sunday morning and loaded everything into the boat.  I brought along an Epic 686 and Epic 888 that he set up with a small fry pattern and then a flesh fly.  We caught several rainbow trout and a Dolly Varden swinging and stripping flies near structure on the river edge but the main game was bumping flies near the bottom on indicator setups that Jordan had in the boat on Orvis Helios outfits. 

Since we were Jordan's only float for the day, we slowly worked our way down the river, pulling over for a bit at a creek where we caught a couple of rainbow trout that were stacked up at the mouth.  Hadley was still getting used to casting and it was fun seeing her get a line out, mend, and swing up a rainbow trout on a tiny fry pattern.  She was pretty proud of herself and this trip just might have sparked a real interest in fly fishing.

We pulled over for lunch on a long green blue run and used Hadley's camp stove to make noodle bowls that I tossed some chunks of smoked salmon in.  So good and a the perfect streamside lunch.

After lunch, we continued down the river and picked off a few more fish along the way.  Fishing wasn't lights out but was better than expected.  The trip was more about taking in the views and enjoying a day on the water.  Those boxes were checked off big time on this float with grand views, wildlife on the mountainside to spy with binoculars, music on the Turtlebox, and great conversations with Jordan on the fishery, conservation, the local guide scene, and we found out that he and I have a handful of mutual friends from Michigan and elsewhere.  All in all, a great day on the river.

We couldn't have had a better time with Captain Jordan Carter and if you're looking to experience the Kenai River, and other nearby fisheries, he'd be my first call.

Check out the Outgoing Angling website and follow along on Instagram.