Now Booking 2025 World Class Sockeye Salmon Fishing Trips!

Our Sockeye Salmon Season kicks off on June 15th every year, with the arrival of the Early Run Sockeye Salmon, and will last all the way until the end of July! We offer fully guided Kenai & Kasilof River Sockeye Salmon Fishing Trips, and our trips are available to Anglers of all skill levels, ages and abilities! If you are looking for a Kenai Fishing Package, look no further! We’re here to make your Alaska Dream Fishing Trip become a reality!

About Your Guided Sockeye Salmon Fishing Trip…

Location:

Our Guided Sockeye Salmon Fishing Trips take place on either the Kasilof River or the Kenai River and the decision to fish either is solely based on the run size and timing of the Sockeye Salmon entering the rivers. Traditionally, the Kenai River Sockeye Salmon has taken the cake when it comes to actual run size, but the Kasilof River is no slouch either! As the season progresses, we will base our trips on where the fish are and how many actually show up!

Duration:

We offer two different trips when it comes to our Sockeye Salmon Fishing Trips; we have half day trips that last anywhere between 4 and 5 hours, and we have full day trips that last between 8 and 9 hours. We also have two different start times for each; 5am for the early risers and 3pm for our sunset watchers that want to enjoy the warmer temps on the water!

The Gear:

In theory, “Sockeye Salmon don’t bite”, wellllllllll they do. So along with the normal techniques of “Flossing for Sockeye”, we also have a couple of other techniques to catch Sockeye Salmon that might surprise you!

After The Catch:

At the end of the day, we clean and filet your fish and prepare it for your travel back to your hotel room, or home. We do not vacuum pack fish, but we do partner with a few of the processors in town and can point you in the right direction! Regardless, we will make sure you’re taken care of and your fish is properly handled so that you are able to enjoy it!

2024 Rates:

Our Half Day Trips run $225.00 per person, for a 4-5 hour trip. (5 People max)
Our Full Day Trips run $275.00 per person, for a 8-9 hour trip. (5 People max)

If this is your first time visiting Alaska, please do not hesitate to reach out to us to chat about your trip! We love talking fishing, and even more so, love making your Alaska Fishing Trip become a reality!

Guided Alaska Sockeye Salmon Fishing Trips

June 15th – July 31st

Book Now or Call 888.903.7473

Out of All of the Kenai River Guides, Why Choose Us?

    
 
 
        
   Louise Genson 
 2024-08-28
 
 
  Fishing with River Rise guide,  Nick:

July 26 meet Nick at 6:00 am at the Kasilof  Recreation Site.   We had trouble getting into the AirBandB  we had rented for this part of our trip.  As a result we were an hour late.  We called Nick, and he met us in town(Soldotna)  It was pouring down rain, and we had not had much sleep.. Not a good day for our only sockeye fishing trip.
Nick offered an afternoon trip on the 27th.  That worked for us.  All Nick required of us was our shoe sizes, wader sizes, some snacks and rain coats.  We had a day and a half to get the house problem solved, and to acquaint ourselves with the area, including the Kasilof recreation site where we would meet Nick.
On the water:  We met Nick around 4:30pm on the 27th,  got our waders and boots on while Nick was launching his boat.
Nick's boat, I am guessing, is an 18 ft.  drift boat with a small kicker, (outboard motor), he uses on quiet water, and oars that he uses when there is enough current to move the boat down the river.   It carried all 6 of us safely down the Kasilof.   He handled the boat in  a confident manner that felt relaxed and safe.   Nick beached the boat in about 4 or 5 miles where he knew the spot held sockeye.’  Louise, Sarah, Emily, and Derek, got out of the boat, and were given their first lesson in sockeye salmon fishing. Nick had positioned the boat so the “old man” could see the 3 fisher gals and guy, and could actually be part of the group. Nick demonstrated, and taught each person in a patient and friendly way.  Before long , our “fishers” were hooking, (mostly losing) sockeye.   When it seemed the fish had left a given spot, Nick moved us down to a new spot.   At each new  spot with Nick’s coaching we became more efficient.  The fish box was looking pretty full as the sun was setting, and  Nick started fileting our fish.  Our fishers, Louise, Sarah, Emily, and Derek Had caught many sockeye, and had a whole day of fun!   As Nick started to filet the fish, he looked at me and asked, do you want to catch one?  I said do you think I can?  He said It’s not what I think.  if YOU think you can, you can.  I said I've got to do it.  He helped me out of the boat and steadied me as I made 3 casts and caught a sockeye!

Our rating of Rick as a person, and guide(teacher):
Flexible Booking Equal 5 STARS, but book early
Good equipment, excellent tackle Equals 5 STARS
Personally demonstrated expertise all aspects Equals 5 STARS
Excellent positive instructor with emphasis on having fun Equals 5 STARS
Fun Time  plus sense of accomplishment Equals 5 STARS
The Genson Family:
Michael, dad  84 yrs
Louise, mom 55 yrs
Sarah, daughter 24yrs
Emily, daughter 24yrs
Derek, extra good friend 30 yrs
Over all: We, the 5  listed above, give Nick the Best Guide Award : Equals 5  x 5  = 25 STARS

We would sincerely like to fish with you again, Nick
  
 
       
   Kristen Gray 
 2024-08-11
 
 
  Nick was awesome!  Not only did he do an amazing job helping us fish he also showed us the river and gave us a whole experience
  
 
       
   Tammie Cornforth 
 2024-08-11
 
 
  We had such a blast learning how to floss for Salmon today.  Nick with RiverRise was a fantastic guide. He went above and beyond to make our trip a success.  While most outfits were canceling their trips, because of weather, our guide was a trooper and got us on and off the overflowing river with the greatest of ease. AND WE CAUGHT our SOCKEYE Salmon! Thank you for a wonderful trip. Highly recommend RiverRise guided fishing.
  
 
       
   Nick Copeland 
 2024-08-09
 
 
  We had a great time on our Kasilof river fishing adventure! The conditions were terrible, but Nick went above and beyond and put us on fish anyway. I would encourage anyone looking for an Alaskan fly fishing experience to book with him.
  
 
       
   Dylan G Choate 
 2024-08-08
 
 
  The BEST! I researched all of the other companies in the area and I am soo glad I chose RiverRise! The experience was amazing. I picked RiverRise because I wanted my mom to have the best experience, but also have access to help when needed.

Captain Nickolas not only made sure fish were caught, but he helped us throughout the entire process. He provides everything you could possibly need and even helps prepare the fish at the end. We got to eat the salmon we caught when we got home and it was sooo good. After fishing we got to have a gorgeous float back. He even helped us navigate the processing of the other fish, and shipping them back home.

I am a firm believer that a company's values and a guide/captain make or break a memory. I am so glad I chose RiverRise and will return next summer! If you are trying to narrow down the several options, just choose RiverRise and rest easy :)
  
 
       
   David Stanford 
 2024-08-03
 
 
  2 dads, 2 cousins, trip and experience of a lifetime. I am a very avid and experienced angler, and captain Nick really impressed me. Timely, personable, great coach, great equipment, clean truck and boat, all top of the line, demonstrated all aspects of technique for the day and definitely went the extra mile. High school kids listened better than the Dads and beat up on us until we figured it out, if that tells you anything- everyone limited- great boat control and manners towards everyone- this gentleman/guide is experienced and strives for YOU having a trip of a lifetime.
  
 
       
   Ryan Zeigler 
 2024-08-02
 
 
  RiverRise is by far the most professional outfitter service we saw on the rivers of the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska! He put us right on top of the salmon both days we booked with him.  Even though the runs were slower than usual,  we had our full limit both days within 5 hours which was awesome! Even better when you have sunlight till midnight and can finish your vacuum packing immediately after.  I would be confident to say he is one of the most experienced outfitters in Alaska and he knows how to catch these fish from years of experience.  You put the faith of your trip in RiverRise and you will be leaving Alaska with full coolers and smiles.  I know we are!
  
 
       
   Chris Scarberry 
 2024-07-30
 
 
  Fantastic fishing trip that turned into a catching trip.  Nick our guide really knows his stuff.  If fish are there and you follow his instrutions your going to catch some nice fish.  Couldnt of asked for a better birthday present for my wife who loves fishing.  RiverRise is the guide service to use.   See you Nick when the Silvers are in.
  
 
       
   Linda Ray 
 2024-07-29
 
 
  We enjoyed our fishing trip with Captain Nick. He was a good teacher in how to floss for reds and found a good spot on the Kasilof where we took home our limit of 12. We liked that he was a courteous pilot, slowing down near people who were fishing. We were fishing at the peak of the sockeye season, which made it very busy for him, often with two trips a day. We had to be patient in communicating with him, but he came through when he could get away from helping clients.
  
 
       
   Brian Snyder 
 2024-07-26
 
 
  Had a great time fishing with Nick as our guide.  The boat and all equipment was new and top line.  He showed us newbies how to flip and floss for sockeyes and we hit our limits in a few short hours.  After the fishing we leisurely floated down the river watching the wildlife and scenery pass by.  I highly recommend Nick and RiverRise fishing guides.