Ask the Pro's: Husband & Wife Rustic Fishing Trip

Hi Cari,

Depending on the time of year you are planning to come to Alaska, could have a little bearing on exact locations, but I would recommend basing out of Cooper Landing. Basing out of Cooper Landing puts you on the banks of the Upper Kenai, giving you salmon and trout opportunities in the Kenai mainstem as well as other tributaries, like the Russian River and Quartz Creek. You will have hiking trails, bear viewing on the Russian, guide services for fishing and sightseeing floats.

Seward is about an hour away from Cooper Landing, this is were you can take a halibut trip or salt water sightseeing trip. It's a neat little town that is worth spending a day in and around.

Cooper Landing gives you have access to several guide operations, a few lodges and a couple bed and breakfast. You can contact me directly for more information on these, as there are quite a few options to look into. There are a couple restaurants and a small general store.

I would recommend booking dates with guides and lodging sooner than later, as they book up quickly.

Anything we can do to help, please let me know.

Thanks,
Mike

Hey Cari!

I'm so glad you will be up in Alaska during the summer of 2019!

There are a number of great locations across our state that will serve you well; however, I am partial to our little town: Cooper Landing. We are located about an hour and 45 minutes from Anchorage right at the very start of the Kenai River on the Kenai Peninsula. Accommodations in our area range from tent camping all the way up to luxury fishing resorts with lots of great places in between. We have hotels, motels, vacation rentals and RV parks that add to the options.

Not only is Cooper Landing right on the water where the Kenai River begins, it is also conveniently located on the Kenai Peninsula in close proximity to places like Seward, Soldotna, Kasilof, Whittier and Homer. From the shores of the upper Kenai, you can find everything from trophy catch and release trout fishing to some of the best salmon fishing just a short drive away. Charter boats out of Seward, Deep Creek, Whittier and Homer will put you right on top of world-class, deep sea halibut and salmon fishing.

Most local guides provide transportation to the river; however, you will likely need a rental car or RV to commute to ocean fishing destinations and other excursions.

Deep sea fishing will all be done with traditional rod and reel, but if you would like to give fly fishing a try, the waters of the Kenai Peninsula offer a great chance to learn. Fly fishing is quite easy and professional guides will have all the tools and teaching methods to get you squared away.

See below for a video I made from our 2017 season of fishing in the Cooper Landing area below to get an idea of what to expect. Have an awesome trip to Alaska and we'll see you in 2019!

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