I'm planning my vacation next summer to the Kenai and now I see that it was closed prematurely this summer.  Should I reconsider my plans to Kenai for another Alaska destination, like Sitka?  I just want to bring my wife up there for a week next summer and hope to get into a variety of species.  I don't want to drift down a river all day with no hook-ups.  Apparently, that may be the issue with the Kenai.  I would appreciate any help on this issue.

Thanks.

You won't be drifting any rivers in the Sitka area. None there big enuff to drift! If you are after trout, there are a few lakes that do have a permanant population of Dollies, Cuts and 'bows, however durn near all the stream trout are sea run.
If you are after samon, May thru July are the best months for Chinook, altho there has been years that we have had chinook around until October, but not as a rule.  Chinook may not be fished or kept, in fresh water of the islands  of South East Alaska
 Coho Salmon, ya can figure on the runs gettin in later June, thru Aug., and stream fishing is good later part of Aug, thru Sept.
We do have some pretty good runs of Dollies, Cuts and bows in most all of the streams of any size, on our rock (Prince of Wales Is.), June thru Aug.. We also have a fair Steelhead run , March and April, in several of our streams, but, catch and release only, except, you may retain a trophy fish, that exceeds 37 in.
Your best bet if ya wanna fish  both salmon and trout, in S.E. Alaska would be one of the outside of island towns, such as Sitka or Craig. Your best bet for salmon would be one of the many charter guides!

Thanks, Allen. Now, I will get a little more specific on our plans. We plan on C&R almost all of our fish, especially those caught fly fishing. Don't get me wrong, a a couple of ocean caught salmon, halibut or ling cod may come home in coolers, but mostly we're up there for the excitement of hooking into fish and releasing them to fight another day. Like the saying goes, "When it comes to catch and release, size doesn't matter". Dolly vardens would be awesome to catch as well stealhead, species I've never caught before. We would prefer to wade small rivers and streams in pursuit of trophy fish over drifting in boats. I suppose I am asking for too much and I appreciate all advice that you send my way. I suppose you could ask, "Where can I fish for bass in California?" and I'd be like, "Umm, where do I start?"

Troutinator, ifn ya are of a mind to hit the Islands of S.E., and Ifn' ya wanna do a fair bit of stream and lake fishin', even tho I have lived on Baronoff, at Sitka for many years, IMO, Prince of Wales Is. would be the best
consideration.  More road systems, there for, better axcess to more streams and lakes.
As far as time of the year, the cuts and bows start into the creeks about the first of June, however, if ya want to go out, dureing the same trip, and do some salt water fishin', I'd wait a month. Ya can still pick up a few Chinook in July, and the Coho are starting in. Them prehistorical monsters, the Ling, ya can catch year around!
A very interseting fish! Depending on the time of the year, feed available, depth, ya can find them stinkers anywere from a red to a tourquoise green in color!
August, ya can figure that the Chinooks are about gone. Still pickin' up a few, but not like May, June. Cohos are hot and heavy. Lotsa halibut, and ling still comeing in!  Sept., Not much of a chance for Chinook, but, we have had years that they have stayed around untill Oct.. This does not appear to be one of those years.
Sept., is a durn good time for streams for Coho and Pinks. A real kick in the hinney on light gear!!
When I was fly fishin' a lot, I used a embrio emerging, from egg pattern almost intirley. I'd just use a differant size hook, depending on what I was after. On my lite spin casting, I use a 1 1/2" tube, pink with pearl skirt, 1/16 oz wieghted tube hook, size of hook dependeing on what I was after. #6 or 8 for trout, # 1 for steelhead or salmon!
I really think that ya would have a durn good time, a real kick in the hinney, if ya had a chance to fish up here!
I know I do!
Big problem for the tourist is cost!! These durn islands are spendy!! Ifn' I was you, I'd throw all my campin' gear into my PU, and head north, figurein' on ruffin' it! Drivein' up, IMO, is cheaper then flyin' or takein' the ferry! Besides, ya getta see alotta beautifull country as ya drive thru Canada!
If ya are a mind to such, drop me a line, allen_hoffman@yahoo.com  and I'll be tickled to death to help ya do what ever it is that ya wanna do!

Well, I talked to a couple of resort operators on the Kenai and they say the fishing should pick up very well for next spring and summer (which is exactly what I expect resort operators to tell me, of course). Both recommended I choose the last week of June for the "June Specials", which would save us about $600 off the July rates. Eh, still looking at that option. Sure, maybe can't get into those giant Kenai kings, but I'm sure about any Alaska fishing would be exciting for us from the lower 48.