Unlike the king and red salmon runs, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game does not have an optimum escapement goal and forecast for pink salmon. In fact, they do not monitor the run. The only way to know how well, or poor, a run is is what anglers are experiencing on the river.

Overall, my experience was the 2024 pink salmon run was below average.  

When we actually targeted pink salmon the fishing was very good. However, the constant flow of fish wasn’t there. And, the duration of the run wasn’t there either.

I will say I was disappointed that the run wasn’t large enough to catch pink off of the dock. It’s always a fun bonus for our guests.

But, I’m not concerned just yet about the future of the pink salmon runs. You can always have an off year, but a trend would consist of at least 4 down cycles in a row (think the king salmon runs). Time will tell if this is the start of a decline.

A couple fun facts about pink salmon on the Kenai River.

• They’re the only salmon fry that doesn’t overwinter in the river before migrating out to sea.
• They’re the only salmon that has a single run, and not a double run.
• The run happens every other year on the even years. 2026 will be the next opportunity to tangle with a pink salmon. 

Next week will be my final fishing recap of 2024. The spotlight will be on silver salmon.

See you then.

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That being said, it’s time to share the daily photos of happy anglers.

Day 1, Blinn Week 2. Steve, John, Brandon, and Shane.

Day 2, Blinn Week 2. Brandon, Will, and Cody

Day 3, Blinn Week 2. I actually fished John, Steve, Derek, and Russell. This was a day we released pink salmon and targeted silvers. 

Here was the highlight of the week. The first silver salmon double of the year. That’s Derek and Steve (John let Steve pose for the photo).

Day 4, Blinn Week 2. Don, Brandon, and Steve. They kept just enough pinks to grill that night for everyone in the cabins. 

Day 5, Blinn Week 2. Steve, Shane, Steve, and John.

Day 6, Blinn Week 2, Transition Day. Jo Ray, Leslie, and Steve.

You might be wondering why there are only 3 silver salmon in the photo above. There is news I’m not excited to report on. The usually robust pink and silver salmon runs in SouthCentral Alaska have been anything but. Many rivers and creeks have been closed or restricted. On 8/23 the Kenai River daily limit has been reduced to a single silver salmon. Starting 9/1, the limit will be reduced from 3 to 2 silvers. Let’s hope that ADFG wasn’t too late in taking action to preserve and maintain future salmon runs. 

In the meantime, we’re going to keep fishing and take in all the Kenai River has to offer.

You never who’ll join you for breakfast…

See you next week.

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This was our pattern every day. Head out fishing at 5:30am and set up on anchor targeting silver salmon. When the silver bite slowed down mid morning, move to the islands and cast spinner baits to catch whatever might be there. Around 1-2pm we were worn out and headed back to the cabins. We’d take photos and then process the salmon.

I’m going to change up my normal fishing report. Instead of describing each day of the week on the river, I’m posting a daily photo.

Day 1 of Blinn Week 1. Robert, CR, John, and Scott.

Day 2 of Blinn Week 1. Jo Ray, Dan, Bill and Paul.

I really wasn’t planning on running two trips on Tuesday, but the Ranua family (not part of the Gary Blinn crew) wanted to have a Kenai River experience, and not a harvest. That was reason enough to give them a couple of hours on the river. The best part of this trip is that I got to hear the trifecta of guiding compliments…first fish, the most fish, and biggest fish they have ever caught.

Day 3 of Blinn Week 1. Robert, CR, Brad, and John.

Day 4 of Blinn Week 1. Ben, Renee, Mike, and Dan.

Day 5 of Blinn Week 1 morning crew. Mike, Bill, and Jo Ray (not pictured, Paul).
Day 5 of Blinn Week 1, afternoon crew. Bill and Paul (not pictured, Richard).

For Blinn Week 2, I expect the pattern to repeat itself. Pinks, silvers, and a lot of fun people to spend the day with.

A final bit of advice. If you’re reading this report and are coming soon, be sure to pack warm clothes. We have had ice on the dock in the morning, twice this past week. 

See you next week.

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Not this year.

It’s been a struggle to find good numbers of salmon all week. Rising and dirty water doesn’t help either.

I’ll start out the blog post with the first silver caught this year from the boat. I think Dennis and I were both surprised when it hit five minutes after the anchor was set. 

This was the last trip of the year wearing waders. From left to right are Frank, Dennis, Cindy and Steve with a mix of red, pink, and silver salmon. Not a bad way to end the bank fishing part of the season.

Frank proudly holding a nice early season silver salmon.

Cindy and Steve with a couple of hard earned silvers along with a couple of pink salmon.

How’s this for determination? Francis broke his leg at the end of June and wasn’t going to let it get in the way of fishing in Alaska. Francis and his extended family have been staying in the cabins the past two weeks and have been fishing every day. 

Even though he mostly sat in the boat trying to catch pink and silver salmon, Francis couldn’t help himself and decided to get on shore to try his hand at red salmon fishing. Even from a chair he still had the touch. Amazing.

I finished the week fishing Shane, and his sons Colton and Beckett. It was a wet August morning, but that didn’t interfere with them having fun. It was their first time fishing the Kenai River and I bet it won’t be their last.

The week ahead will be Blinn Week 1. Gary, unfortunately, will not be here. He had unexpected surgery on his hamstring and has a long rehab ahead of him. After 26 years of apprenticeship, Jo Ray will lead the group through three weeks of fishing on the Kenai Peninsula. I think he’ll do an excellent job.

Here’s one last photo I’ll share before I sign off. These guys have been hanging out around the cabins lately. I never get tired of caribou.

See you next week!

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I started the week with one last red salmon trip with Team Simms/Colorado. Dario, AJ, Tony, Fernando, and Joe had no problem figuring out the Kenai flip. Not everyone got their six fish limit, but it was close. What a wonderful group of nice, young men. 

The next day I was reunited with Cy and Tom. We ended up with a nice mix of silver, red, and pink salmon.

On Tuesday, I had the pleasure of spending the day with AJ, Joe, Don and Suzanne. 

Not a bad Wednesday with people I like to hang out with.  From left to right is Cy, Tom, Mary (The Closer), and Mike. Steady fishing and great conversation made the morning go by fast.

On Thursday, Mike, AJ, Joe, Dario (subbing for Don), spent a rainy day on the river. Fishing was decent, but slower than the day before. Still, not a bad day at all.

Friday, I fished with Cy and Tom again. The pinks were there, but we had trouble finding silver salmon.  We ended up with two for the day. Hey guys, thanks for a great week. I’ll see you in 2023!

Saturday morning I was with long time guests Martin, Jacob, and Chris. With high, debris filled water, it was easily our slowest day on the river. We caught about a dozen pink salmon, but kept just enough for a photo.

Saturday afternoon John, Diedre, Tim, and Jeanne were a fun bunch to visit with. The bite was better than the morning, but still on the slow side. 

For the upcoming week it will be Blinn #2 in the cabins and in the boat. I expect the fishing to be more consistent, but you never know what Mother Nature has in store. See you next week!

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Have I ever mentioned fisherman are optimists by nature?

Looking back, my lofty preseason expectations were not met. There were excellent days of fishing, but it was not an epic season. A fellow guide felt the same way and joked with me when he said, “I’m sure glad I didn’t have a lot of people to disappoint this year.” 

Let’s recap the season.

The preseason forecast by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG) determined the early king salmon run would make the escapement goal. That didn’t happen. On June 8th the fishery was closed. Uff da. That’s not how you want to start a season.

It was time to move on to Plan B: red salmon. With a record early red salmon run in 2019 (Russian River), expectations were high that 2020 would be a repeat performance. That didn’t happen either. There were fishable numbers, but the run barely made the low end of the escapement goal. 

The river reopened to king salmon fishing July 1st and optimism was abound. Unfortunately, the second run was weak and on July 22nd the river was again shut down for king salmon fishing.  On the days I fished for king salmon, the action was marginal. It was never hot, but if you put the time in, a few fish could be found.

I spent the rest of July (and early August) fishing for red salmon. There were great days, and some not so great days. Limits were density dependent.

August is always the fun month for me and it couldn’t come fast enough. It ended up being the only normal month of fishing on the Kenai River. Reds, pinks, and silvers were in typical, if not high, abundance. 

My final month of fishing was September. Since August often foreshadows September, I had a good feeling about the second run of silver salmon. The first part of the month fishing was good. However, by the middle of the month the run had fizzled out. 

WTF?  (that’s guide speak for Where’s The Fish).  It was an absolute head scratcher as to how poor the silver salmon fishing was at the historic peak of the second run. It is not how I imagined the fishing season would end.

To summarize the entire 2020 Kenai River fishing season in a letter grade, I would have to give it a “C”. Perhaps the only salmon species to meet expectations (and exceed) would be the run of pink salmon. It was large, and it lasted a long time.

So, enough about the past, how about the future? If you want my biased opinion about the 2021 Kenai River fishing season, well… it’s going to be a great one!

Have I mentioned before that people who fish are optimists?

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After reviewing my fishing forecast for Blinn Week Number 2, I was mostly right. The pink salmon fishing was incredible, but by the end of the week it was difficult to find enough silvers to fill out a boat limit. Is the first silver run over? Time will tell.

On to the report.

Here are Clint, Matt, Robert, and Ron starting Blinn Week Number 2 on the right foot. We found plenty of pinks and silvers on this day.

The next day was more of the same. Here are Shane, Gary, Mike, and Don showing off their morning catch. 

Here’s the motleyist of the motley crew. That’s Gary Blinn and Jo Ray in the front row. It’s hard to believe, but the two of them have been making the trek to Alaska to fish for 24 years.  Griff and Steve (standing) are not far behind. Griff has been coming since 2002, Steve, since 2004. 

On the second to the last day of Blinn Week Number 2, I fished with Cody, Steve, and Brandon. They had no problem finding plenty of pink salmon, and catching their daily silver salmon limit.

On the final day of Blinn Week Number 2, I fished Shane, Mike, Gary, and Don, for a second time. We found the pink salmon, but struggled to find the silvers. We ended up with two silvers for the day (sorry, no photos).

Before my forecast for Blinn Week Number 3, I have to post another Kenai moose picture. Will it ever stop? I hope not…

Based on how the week ended (2 silvers), I’m hoping the low silver tally was just a hiccup and we’re not on the back side of the first run. It’s going to transition soon, but it would be nice if a steady daily run continued into the September second run. One thing that will be certain for Blinn Week Number 3, we’ll fish hard, swap a few stories, and enjoy our time together on the water. Making memories is what it’s all about. 

See you next week for the final 2020 Blinn report.

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It was a good one.  

With a run of pinks stronger than I can remember, and the silvers starting to show in catchable numbers, there was no shortage of rod-bending action.

The week began with this crew. From left to right is Brian, Jeremy, Curtis, and “Spin N Glo” Dan. Although they were not officially part of the Blinn group, they quickly became honorary members.  It was great to spend time with you guys and I look forward to fishing with you again in the near future.

It’s been a few years since these guys were last here (well, Jack was too young to come the last time his dad, Sam, and his brother Logan were here). They picked up right where they left off. From left to right is Jack, Sam, Logan, and Joey.  

Here’s Wally, Skip, Jack, and Gary with the fastest boat limit of silvers of the year. A steady bite, great conversations…what’s not to like about that?

Week one ended on a great note. Once again, I fished with “Big Fish” Joey, Sam, Jack, and Logan.

I’m often asked why I bring two nets in the boat. My response is “you never know when you’ll catch two silvers at the same time”.  The chaos of catching two silvers at once happened twice this week. Twice.

Here’s Skip staring down a young bull. I bet you thought I couldn’t come up with another weekly moose photo did you?

For the week ahead, the pink fishing will continue to be epic, and I anticipate the silver fishing to get better. This is for two reasons: the coming week is the historic peak of the first run, and we will now be able to use bait. We are all better fisherman when bait can be used.

Come back next week to see how Blinn Week Number Two does.

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Now the good.  The red run has been replaced with a bazillion pink salmon (and a few silvers).

When you think about catching a fish on every cast, this is when you want to be here.

Danielle gets the opening photo all to herself.  She caught the first silver salmon limit of the season in my boat. 

Now, the rest of her crew with their limits of pink salmon. From left to right is Danielle, Robert Daniel, Clifton, and Robert Allen.

Same crew, different day, same results.

Three years ago these guys fished for silvers with me. The fishing was decent, but they asked about the best time with the most action. I suggested they come in August on an even year for non stop catching. That’s exactly what they signed up for and that’s exactly what the mighty Kenai River delivered. I do love it when a plan comes together.

Last year I fished with Tavish and Allie and we limited out on silvers. We weren’t as fortunate this year, but a river full of pinks made them forget about the lack of silver salmon.

I finished the week fishing Shane, Jenny, Chris, and Matt. They’ve been catching plenty of pink salmon on their own, and wanted to focus on silvers. This was the one and only silver for the day. Congrats, Shane, on a beautiful fish.

No words needed here…..

I get excited every time I get to fish, but the next three weeks are going to be a lot of fun both on and off the water. For 24 years, Gary Blinn has been bringing a group to our cabins to experience all things Alaska. They’ll do saltwater fishing trips, trout fishing trips, fly-in remote fishing trips, and lower river trips. I feel fortunate to be handling the latter. As crazy as this summer has been, it’s great to see old friends (and meeting a few new ones too!). I can’t wait for the days ahead. 

See you next week with stories and photos from Blinn Week Number One.

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One thing I have found about a king closure is that bank fishing is a much more peaceful experience than fishing from a boat.  There is a certain tranquility  you get when you have a gravel bar to yourself. Instead of hearing the constant buzz of outboard motors running, you’re left with your thoughts and the sounds of flowing water.  Well, it’s peaceful until someone yells, “fish on!”

I started the week fishing Oregonian’s Sarah and Martin. Since they came from salmon country, they had no problem catching their limit. Hey guys, it was a lot of fun and I’ll see you again next year.   

Steve, Tina, and Frank, are not from salmon country (Texas), and had no problem mastering the art of flossing for salmon. The missing person from this quartet was Cindy. She was recovering from a brief medical episode and could not join us on this day. I know she’ll be a 100% the next time she’s back in Alaska. 

Jane and I got in on the action this past week too.  Two red salmon limits in less than hour. 

I finished the week dipnetting with my college buddy Steve, his son Kellen, and their friends Tyler and Bryce. The dipnetting wasn’t fast and furious, but steady enough to get a nice pile of fish.

What would a Beaver Creek Cabins & Guide Service fishing report be without another moose picture?  This girl decided to cool herself off in front of the dock.  

For the week ahead I plan on fishing for reds until the run fizzles out. There are a few silvers starting to show, so we’ll give them a try. If the above fails, there are plenty of pinks to keep us busy.  

I love the first week of August. It’s always an interesting overlap of salmon species.  

See you next week.  

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