Bonfire, Too many options for sure. It boils down to what you want to catch. My favorite recurring trip is to hit the Klutina River south of Glenallen, in 1st week of July for Kings, big fish and extremely dangerous water, don't go without a guide unless you can run big water (Class 4). The hit it for Sockeyes for a day or so after your down with Kings, followed up with a couple days in Valdez for the Kids for Pinks, literally catch a hundred a day just off Allison point from a boat, across from the boat launch. Late Aug the Silvers are there thick also, but along the boat ramp side and out to the bay. And finish it off with a quick run out for some decent Halibut. Yea, you'll see people, but you'll see wildlife too. Kenai can't be beat late season Early Sep, late Aug for Pinks and Silvers followed up by chasing Big Rainbows, not many people then, Residents are going after Moose and the tourist have one gone home and it is quite nice. If your just out for fun, picking out Rainbow under the spawned out Reds is a hoot, off the Russian River in late Aug. If you want a relaxing trip, AVOID the Kenai, during peak King Runs (may and third week of July) and peak Red runs (2nd week of June & 3rd week of July), people everywhere, but there are places to seek privacy. Most folks that complain, don't catch the fish, but those that do, will return year after year. I meet the same people every year in the same holes during those dates. The guides think they own the river and most aren't from AK anyhow, so if your self-guiding watch out for their antics. Most Tourist all fish, like they work, from the hours of 8-4. Hit the river early there will just be a few people then get off before the crowds run. Rivers around Anchorage, Ship Creek, Bird Creek, Avoid like the plague, it is where COMBAT Fishing started. My silver favorites are the Deska, 7 or so miles up past the weir, nobody around and plenty of silvers, (have had many days of 90+ a day, hence how I named the boat COHOHO). Twenty Mile river also can't be beat late season. There are hidden areas, if you got access to a small jet boat that only a few go, where you'll put down the fishing rod cause your freaking hands hurt... But truly, if it your only time going there to fish, invest some extra dollars and fly out, Kodiak is prime along with the Pennisula, but make certain it isn't to any body of water that residents of Anchorage can get too, I have seen so many people get dropped off on river systems near Anchorage (Deshka, Alexander, Little Sue and anything off the Big Sue) and for them to be greeted by 20-30 boats of residents making a little bit longer of a boat ride to that location. Pretty dissappointing to have the plane fly away and leave them with their 12 foot rental boat and 2hp motor, thinking they are in a secret location and then seeing everyone else as you round the bend from the drop off point and seeing the madness of 20 foot jet and air boats racing up the river to better areas, looking at you like your crazy cause you just blew alot of money for a long plane ride that did alot of circles getting you there. After all it is all about what choices work for you.
