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Fishing The Russian-Kenai Fly Fishing Only Area

Whenever you have a strong fishery and hoards of enthusiastic anglers, restrictions and regulations are necessary to guarantee the future of the fishery. And as the popularity of a fishery grows, restrictions become increasingly tighter in insure that future generations will have the same opportunities of those today.

Regulations: Anyone fishing the Russian River - Kenai River Fly Fishing Only area should consult the Sport Fishing Regulations booklet available at all tackle shops, ADFG offices and many other locations before heading out. Alaska fishing regulations vary from stream to stream and even fishery to fishery within a stream and there is little consistency as it relates to a particular fish species. The reason behind this is that each fishery requires a certain amount of protection and the Department of Fish & Game sets Bag & Possession limits and tackle requirements/methods according to the amount of protection that fishery requires.

We won't get into a lengthy discussion here but will touch upon the "Rules of the Road" for this area.

From June 15th through August 20th, the areas open to salmon fishing on the Russian River and a specific section of the Kenai River below the mouth of the Russian River is designated as Fly Fishing Only and requires Single Hook, Artificial Fly Only for fishing. The gap between hook point and shank can be no wider than 3/8 inch. Coho flies are the typical tackle used by most anglers and are available in every tackle store on the Peninsula. The regulations booklet provides detailed instructions identifying the areas open to fishing, the locations of the ADFG markers, etc. King salmon, rainbow trout and Dolly Varden must be released immediately as there is no open season for retention of these species in this area.

Weight can be added to your line BUT it must be 18 inches or farther above your fly to be legal. Most anglers prefer 3/8 oz. rubber core sinkers as an easy weight to attach to the line and quickly change out if you need less or more weight depending on the water depth and currents.

Bag Limits: The limit on sockeye salmon for the Fly Fishing Only area is normally 3 fish per person per day with 3 in possession. Fish which have not been FROZEN, canned or smoked are still considered part of your daily possession limit. In order for fish NOT to be a part of your possession limit, they must be processed in a manner so as to remain edible after a 15 day period of time. Cleaned fish in an ice cooler is considered by law to be part of your possession limit.

During exceptionally strong returns for either of the two Russian River sockeye runs, the Department of Fish & Game may at their discretion issue an Emergency Order increasing the Bag Limit for anglers. On the contrary, years which produce very low numbers of returning fish will need protection in order to achieve the minimum spawning escapement goals so Emergency Orders may be issued which lower the bag limit to ONE fish or close the fishery all together. Anglers fishing the Russian-Kenai FFO area must keep track of any regulations changes. These are announced through various media sources such as radio, tv, newspapers and AOJ.

Tackle & Technique: Although this fishery and area is "Fly Fishing Only" it does not mean you must use a fly rod in order to comply with the law. The majority of anglers prefer to use medium weight salmon rods and spinning or bait casting reels. The fact that you must use a sinker in order to get the fly down deep enough in the swift water discourages most anglers from wanting to use a fly rod with this method. But you will see flyrods in use up and down the area.

Technique is simple; just watch other anglers. You are basically using about one and a half rod-lengths of line and flipping the fly out upstream and letting it drift just above the bottom. If you aren't occasionally feeling your sinker bump the rocks, you aren't deep enough. "Strikes" are subtle, often indicated by just a slight pause in the drift. Anglers eventually get the "feel" for this technique and know when the line has hung on the bottom and when its a fish. Please note, snagging is illegal in freshwater and Alaska even considers inappropriate fishing techniques which could result in intentionally snagging a fish as harrasement of the species and is a fineable offense. You will see the "Good & the Bad" among the crowd.

Fishing in the Russian River itself is much different than fishing in the Kenai River area. The Russian is a clear water stream of modest size affording the sockeye angler an opportunity to "sight fish" for salmon moving upstream or holding in the deeper pools. Polarized Glasses are an absolute must for this technique to prevent casting in empty water if you can't see through the surface glare.

The drawback to fishing in the Russian is the fact that fish move from the Kenai River holding area into the Russian in spurts and sometimes it may be several days before good numbers of fish decide to make the run up the river itself. So those camping for a couple days will have a better opportunity for catching fish going by than Day Use anglers who only have 12 hours available for their fishing efforts.

For this reason, the Kenai River Ferry Crossing area is the most popular and most productive section of this fishery. Sockeye can school up by the thousands below the confluence of the Russian & Kenai rivers before deciding to head upstream. This provides much more consistent fishing for anglers with one drawback...it also attracts the most anglers! So expect crowds as well as a lot of fish. Be courteous and respectful of your neighbors. Although anglers try to maintain 5-10 feet between themselves, some locations along the bank will literally be shoulder-to-shoulder.

An area next to the Ferry Crossing landing across the river is designated as Handicapped Persons Only Fishing and provides those anglers with limited disabilities a spot to fish from which has a relatively gentle bank and very good location. Please don't abuse that area....that would be like parking in a handicap only spot.

Safety On The River: Close quarters fishing with anglers on each side of you not only requires tolerance but also consideration for safety. As we mentioned, the techniques used in this fishery provide a lethal projectile of lead and hook on a short length of line in relatively shallow water. And the hook-setting reaction of an angler can send his fly and sinker through the air at the speed of a bullet. Each season anglers in this area are the casualties of many hooks stuck in various parts of their anatomy or beaned by a heavy sinker. Loss of your eyesight is a real possibility if you are unfortunate enough to be next to the wrong person. Wear some sort of EYE PROTECTION. Sunglasses are fine whether you need them or not. Fishing in the Kenai River's glacial colored waters does not require polarized glasses for seeing the fish but they afford the angler a means of protection. If you are not comfortable with the techniques of the person next to you, MOVE.

Although the Russian River is usually easily wadable, some years with high snowpack in the mountains will increase the river level and flow rates to make it difficult to wade. The bottom is extremely slippery too and care should be taken when wading this stream. Younger anglers should have an adult nearby in case they require assistance. Remember their legs are not as long as yours.

Page 1...Rushin' To The Russian - Intro

Page 2...Location & Access

Page 3...Camping & Day Use Facilities, Reservations

Page 4...Tackle, Techniques, Bag Limits & Safety Tips

Page 5...Setting Your Clock & Calendar

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