King of the River
King of the River
4.5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Full view
About
We provide premium river guide services for the Kenai and Kasilof Rivers, and are designed with your fishing experience in mind! Our boats are eco-friendly and roomy for an enjoyable Kenai, Alaska fishing adventure.
Similar Experiences
Travelers talk about
(2 reviews)
(2 reviews)
(2 reviews)
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
26 reviews
Excellent
21
Very good
2
Average
1
Poor
1
Terrible
1
Trevor R
Pinedale, WY9 contributions
Aug 2022
Dean and his deckhand Wade were awesome! Me, my dad, and father-in-law had a full day on the Kenai with Dean fishing reds. We didn't quite limit out but we had our opportunities. Dean put us on fish immediately and Wade supported anything we needed. The King of the River crew was on time and meant business starting at 4:00am. As guys who love to fish, we like that in a guiding service. Dean and Wade fought for some shoulder room for us and maintained it throughout the day. We had a great time and I wouldn't want to be on that river with anyone else. I'm excited to come back in June and book a king salmon trip with these guys! Cheers and tight lines!
Written August 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Keith C
Surrey, Canada55 contributions
Aug 2022
Just a great day on the river. I was a last minute booking and KOTR got me on a trip on the Kenai, with 12 hours notice.
Dean was a great guide for us. We were on the fish after about 30 minutes on the river. All 4 in the boat caught Coho.
When the fishing dried up, we moved to another spot and again in about 30 minutes we all hooked up again !
Just a great day and a great way to end my holiday in Kenai.
Thanks Dean and the crew. When I am back, I will definitely book.
Keith
Dean was a great guide for us. We were on the fish after about 30 minutes on the river. All 4 in the boat caught Coho.
When the fishing dried up, we moved to another spot and again in about 30 minutes we all hooked up again !
Just a great day and a great way to end my holiday in Kenai.
Thanks Dean and the crew. When I am back, I will definitely book.
Keith
Written October 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Natalie R
2 contributions
Sep 2022 • Friends
My brother, who lives in AK and is an avid angler, and I did a full day trip on the Kenai for coho. It was my first time to AK and I can say neither of us was disappointed by our experience. Dean was an excellent guide and has a wealth of knowledge! He did a great job of explaining how to catch fish (there were three others on the boat who had never fished for salmon before). We were really impressed by the efficient set up of the boat and the comfort that was provided. Dean knew exactly where to catch fish and we could see we caught more fish than others around us. He worked extremely hard changing out bait and plugs making sure we were able to catch fish. I limited out and my brother caught two. He filleted our fish right there on boat. We will definitely use him again in the future!
Written September 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
H G
2 contributions
Aug 2022
We enjoyed much of the experience and beauty, but had some frustrations.
We were disappointed that we were only instructed (several times) to bring a raincoat and rain pants, and not the appropriate clothing for waders (warm base layer or two and warm extra thick socks). Our group was quite uncomfortable due to this. We left after 5 hours because of the cold.
We stayed in Dean's basement rental, which was fine, but pricey. Strict 6 pm check in and you must check out when you leave to fish in the morning. It was close to the dock, but would recommend staying somewhere else.
We had Dean process and ship some of our fish, and it took 13 days ($300+) to get home 7 salmon. (We had 13 total for 4 people + Dean and Wade)
Dean mentioned during our trip that the women in our group and nearby groups were not catching. He also lamented the nearby guide was fortunate to have all experienced fishers, and didn't need to take time to teach his customers.
After Dean caught his 6 salmon (which he gave to us - thank you!), he gave some instruction to each of us. Wade was enthusiastic and encouraging throughout. We were in a good location and surrounded by many other guides and groups.
Overall, we had some wonderful moments, including seeing a seal swim near us, watching a beautiful sunrise over the Kenai River, and catching some beautiful salmon in a one of a kind place.
We were disappointed that we were only instructed (several times) to bring a raincoat and rain pants, and not the appropriate clothing for waders (warm base layer or two and warm extra thick socks). Our group was quite uncomfortable due to this. We left after 5 hours because of the cold.
We stayed in Dean's basement rental, which was fine, but pricey. Strict 6 pm check in and you must check out when you leave to fish in the morning. It was close to the dock, but would recommend staying somewhere else.
We had Dean process and ship some of our fish, and it took 13 days ($300+) to get home 7 salmon. (We had 13 total for 4 people + Dean and Wade)
Dean mentioned during our trip that the women in our group and nearby groups were not catching. He also lamented the nearby guide was fortunate to have all experienced fishers, and didn't need to take time to teach his customers.
After Dean caught his 6 salmon (which he gave to us - thank you!), he gave some instruction to each of us. Wade was enthusiastic and encouraging throughout. We were in a good location and surrounded by many other guides and groups.
Overall, we had some wonderful moments, including seeing a seal swim near us, watching a beautiful sunrise over the Kenai River, and catching some beautiful salmon in a one of a kind place.
Written August 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
CLay P
1 contribution
May 2022
Dean and Wade were awesome! We did a full day trip on the Kasilof with my wife and 2 daughters (9 and 11). These guys worked their butts off to get us fish. Out of 15 boats out that day we were the only ones that caught any salmon. It was still super early in the season and we knew that going in so we didnt have a crazy expectation that there would be a ton of salmon. I will definitely do this trip again but wait until june at least to do it. Highly Recommend!
Written May 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
laras601
Anchorage, AK4 contributions
Jul 2022 • Friends
My friends and I spent the day on the Kasilof with Dean and his deckhand Wade. Both of my friends had goals of catching salmon in Ak and they were not disappointed, both of them limited out on reds. Dean is an expert on where to go and place your rod you get your fish. Both Dean and wade were running back and forth to net our fish and clean them before we were able to hook the next one. Lovely day- highly recommended!
Written July 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Sherpa28461
1 contribution
Aug 2022 • Friends
Myself & 2 friends (all many decades long AK residents) fished the 1/2 day Silver Salmon trip on the Kasilof. It was a fantastic trip. And during this wettest summer in many many years, even the weather cooperated with a dry warm day. Our guide Aaron was superb & we will return next Silver season & absolutely request him as our guide. This young man was so knowledgeable about every fish species, the river itself & techniques. He had a great sense of humor, engaging, patient & so enthusiastic. He definitely loved what he did. Every staff we dealt with did a great job . We were kept informed of every detail .and of course now we are enjoying the fruits of our labor! Catch you next season .
Diane & Friends
Diane & Friends
Written August 25, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jana W
4 contributions
May 2021 • Friends
Had a great experience with Dean. He and the deckhand were super knowledgeable and great company. Got us hooked up fast with 2 beautiful salmon. Will definitely be back and would recommend anyone visiting to fish with King of the River.
Written May 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
A_NCartozian
Beaumont, CA10 contributions
Jul 2018 • Couples
My husband and I had an excellent time fishing with Dean! He is super experienced and accomplished and makes you feel confident in your fishing skills at any level! We look forward to making an annual trip to Kenai all the way from California just to fish with Dean at King of the River! Added bonus is catching lots of fresh wild salmon to take home to eat!
Written July 22, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
We look forward to you guys coming back to Alaska!! Thanks for your kind words! See you 2020!
Written April 24, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
densealcos05
Chandler, AZ7 contributions
Jul 2018 • Friends
I’ve always read about the Kenai River and all it has to offer. I decided to make my first experience on this river with Dean and Travis. These guys know what they’re doing. We fished for 10 hours and they never lost any steam or confidence that we’d score a king. Although we never hooked into a trophy king, we did catch a couple of red salmon and shared awesome stories with the crew. Dean really knows the river and it showed. No one was catching Kings on the river that day so I’m glad we still were able to get in on some action. I’ll definitley be back!
Written July 14, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Thanks for letting us take you out for your first trip on Kenai River! And thanks for sharing you had a good time. We really appreciate it. See you next time!
Written April 24, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Road330047
1 contribution
Hello,
Are you on tour contract with NCL cruise line? I believe our deaf group will be offered to sign up for king salmon fishing trip via Deaf Vacations in July of this year.
Is Lee Murray one of the staff for the tours? If so, which fishing tour will he be on?
Thanks, Keith Robertson
King of the River Booking Agent
Kenai, AK
Hi Keith!
We don't have any cruise line contracts or connection with Lee Murray, however we take many cruisers out fishing, IF they have enough time on land and transportation to/from the launch. For all our trips, anglers are required to meet us at the boat launch. Some cruise lines will provide drop-off/pick-up services. Otherwise, cruisers will rent a car. Feel free to give me a call with your cruise itinerary, and I can help you find a fishing trip that would best fit your schedule and interests.
~Kristin, King of the River Reservations