I will be coming to Alaska and the Kenai peninsula for the first time in late July with wife and son. Is it too late to obtain guide service or charter in the Soldotna, Homer, Seward areas. What are the possibilities for bank fishing salmon in this time frame (July21-27)? Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Lots of opportunities for bank fishing for sockeye on the lower (Soldotna area) and upper (Cooper Landing area) Kenai R.

Usually wouldn't have too much trouble finding a charter out of Seward or Homer, but with the halibut charter fleet getting cut back might be a little more difficult and have to do a bit of calling.

If you're looking for a charter on the Kenai R. for kings, the good ones will most likely be booked, but there's several good ones in the area and there's always cancellations.

I fish the Kenai just about ever year at that time. That third and fourth week of July is the peak of the sockeye run, so you shouldn't have any problem getting into fish. We usually fish around the Soldotna area, and there are quite a few parks that have public access...although they can get pretty crowded at times.

Those last two weeks of July are THE busiest time of the year there, so it might be tough to arrange a guided trip, but it definitely can be done. I would start by emailing or calling some of the lodges up there to find out what your options are (or Bob perhaps?). With the high gas prices and so many people out of work, it might not be as crowded this year.

There's good halibut fishing out of Deep Creek as well, and there are lot of charters that run from there.

Call Greg Brush and Mark Glassmaker. Two of the best Kenai guides. If they are booked, and almost certainly they will be, ask to be on standby for a cancellation and ask who they recommend.

Also check with Bob for a Kasiloff trip. But I supect he's booked too.

You cna line sockeye at will at many parks and access points along the river.

Thanks for the info. Do you have contact numbers for Greg and Mark?

Try typing their names into Goolge with the added word Kenai. Should get you all you need in seconds.

Thanks fishmonger. Sounds pretty exciting. With the sockeye coming in at that time, I may target them!

Just got an email from Corey that sadly said that the health of one of our regular group members in that timeframe is not good and they are backing out on this year's trip ... so that opens up July 21, 23, and 25 on my boat right now. Good luck in Seward ... only chance on one of the better boats is going to be the same sort of circumstance that I have here. Pretty rare to ever find things open this late as many people make their plans over a year out for those last two weeks and the network we work with over there has been full for many months now.

We fish the Kenai that same time a couple of good spots to get sockeye are the Airport hole off of Funnyriver rd and Moose Meadow
park which is acroos the river from the airport and up stream. To get
there head to Fredmeyer's take a right before it and folow the river until you will see Moose meadow on your right.

A good idea for you is to look into the dates Bob has open, the Kasilof fished better than the Kenai last year in late July.

I'd jump on Bob's dates like a whore on a navy ship.Just sayin.Good luck,
SZ

Lots of great advise.

Thanks to everyone.

Charlie