The ice and snow are almost gone and soon the Kenai River will be filling up with salmon again. Is everyone as  ready as I am for some fishing?

Photo courtesy of Larry Bain-Alaska Photo Guides

This years Winter King Tournament held Saturday March 20th in Homer, was the second largest in the tournaments 17 year history. It wasn’t just Alaskans braving the temperatures to try and catch the prize winning king, there were entrants from 13 other states participating this year.

Scott Ross beat out 864 anglers to win the tournament. He landed a 38.5 pound king that earned him a cash prize of $18,165. Not bad for a day of fishing.

To get more information on the tournament and see a complete listing of the winners follow the link below,

http://www.homeralaska.org/winterkingsalmonderby/2010results.htm

If you are looking to try something different on your next trip to Hi-Lo you should add a trout trip to your lodging/fishing package. Over the last few years these trips have become increasingly popular with our guest. A day of fly fishing is a fantastic exciting yet relaxing change of pace from the intensity of fighting a Kenai king salmon. Our trout trips are provided by Dan Hardy of D-Ray Personal Guide service. Dan is a born and raised Alaskan guide that has fished Alaska’s waters for over thirty years.

Just let us know what you are wanting to experience, and Dan and I can customize a day of fishing for you. Looking for your first Steelhead trout caught on a fly? Wanting to catch a trophy size rainbow trout? Are you a first timer that just wants to have a go at fly fishing? Dan fishes all of the Kenai Peninsula’s premiere rivers, like the Kenai, Kasilof, and Russian rivers.

Dan’s equipment is top of the line and his stories and expertise makes for an enjoyable day on the water.

Trout season on the Kenai opens mid June and fishing is good in June and July for resident fish. The peak of the season is mid August through October.

If you are not planning a visit to the Kenai Peninsula but are going to be in the Anchorage area, Dan also has access to the lakes and streams just north of Anchorage in the Mat-Su Valley. He provides  salmon, and trout trips on Willow Creek, Montana Creek, Kashwitna, and Talkeetna Rivers.

Our thanks go out to D-Ray Personal Guide Service for providing our clients with a trip of a lifetime experience

All photos courtesy of Dan Hardy

Submitted by Amy Anderson

1/2 lb. smoked salmon
1/2 lb. cream cheese -softened
2 tbsp. sour cream
1 tbsp. mayonnaise
juice of 1 lemon -to taste
1 tsp. Tabasco

¼ cup green onion- bulb and tops
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp. dill
pinch of paprika

Blend all ingredients together adding flaked smoked salmon last. Shape into ball, garnish, and serve with crackers, baguettes, and fresh veggies.

For the past ten years Hi-Lo has offered Fly-in fishing trips and bearing viewing excursions in our lodging packages. These trips are a great addition to an Alaskan vacation. After a few days fighting the mighty, monster Kenai king salmon, it is great to hop on a plane and spend a day exploring more of what the Kenai Peninsula has to offer. Our fly-out trips are provided by Alaska West Air, who has assembled a great team of Alaska bush pilots and fishing guides. And whose fleet of top of the line aircraft can accommodate almost any size group.

Alaska bear viewing and photography trips are one of our most popular and requested adventures year after year. Alaska Bears are incredibly common in the areas we frequent. From our local salmon fishing streams to the shores of many lakes, Alaska West Air™ delivers you to some outstanding observation viewpoints of these mighty bruins. Photographers and spectators alike return year after year to gaze at these giants of the wilderness.

Alaska West Air provides guests access to a variety of remote destinations depending on the species they wish to target. Two of the most popular trips we recommend to our clients is Wolverine Creek and the Kustatan River.

Wolverine Creek  Sockeye Salmon ( June and July)

Sockeye run on Wolverine Creek in June and July. This trip is a favorite not only for the great fishing, but for the brown bear viewing opportunities. Sightseeing enroute is great for moose, brown bear, seals, etc. The flight is approximately 25 minutes each way. Limit is 3 per person/per day. You should allow for approximately 5 hours of fishing.

The Kustatan or Big River Lakes  Silver Salmon ( late July-August-September)

Fly west across Cook Inlet to an area at the base of the Alaska Range. Lake fishing from a boat, or shore fishing on a river we will take you where the fishing is best. Depending on which location you fish, flight time is 20-25 minutes each way. Limit is 3 fish per person, per day. Morning or afternoon trips available. Allow for approximately 5 hours of fishing.

Alaska West also has trips to other Alaska lakes, and rivers for Arctic Char, Grayling, Rainbow Trout, and Northern Pike.

Many thanks go out to all the pilots, guides, and staff at Alaska West Air for providing our clients with their superior service year after year.

All photos are courtesy of Alaska West Air