Day Tripping the Peninsula

Fishing for Halibut and Salmon is the number one summer pastime for visitors and locals alike!!

There can be so many fish caught from a river bank or on a single charter boat that you might get the mistaken impression that it is easy work! Charter captains can make the difference between a so-so fishing trip and a really good one, but we still call it fishing and not catching! Come prepared for rain, cold and if your lucky, a good fight that you may or may not win!!!!

King Salmon are caught from local river banks and offshore starting in May, but things really heat up in June and July. Chartering a boat is "hands down" the best way of improving your odds to catch a "trophy".

Red Salmon start showing up at the Russian River about fathers day weekend, but the main run of Kenai River Reds hit the river in mid July threw early August.

Silver Salmon take over many of our local rivers after the Kings and Reds fade out, they can be caught from the banks, but the best action is from a chartered drift boat!

Halibut are caught all season long, our suggestion is to make your reservations with the charter boats operating from the shores of Deep Creek. It is a short 20 minute drive from our location and they offer full day combo King/Halibut trips or half day trips to save you time and money.

Razor Clams are of course what we are famous for here at "Clam Gulch". No cranky charter captains or sea sick pills needed for this sport, just a fishing license and a shovel to go "Mano-e-Mollusk" !!

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Clam digging Deva

A nice day at the Russian River Falls

For Our guests who want to strike out for a rewarding hike, a quiet canoe trip or to view wildlife (that doesn't have a hook in the corner of its mouth) we have some suggestions:

Our favorite hikes-
--The Russian River falls overlook is an easy 3 mile hike that can also be done on a bike. This hike takes you to a beautiful section of the river which overlooks salmon jumping the falls in order to make it upstream to spawn in the Russian Lakes. If you are up to it ,you can return to your car on the primitive River trail which follows the Russian River down to it's confluence with the upper Kenai. Watch for bears in this area.
--The Fuller lake trail is steep at first and follows the Fuller creek drainage threw a thick forest canopy to emerge above tree line into wide open alpine mountains. The view of the mountain lake is gorgeous and the opportunity to see Dall Sheep in the alpine areas is very good.
-- Crescent Lake trail is 6 miles long with a gradual assent, though there are some steep spots along the way that might prove to be a challenge to less fit mountain bikers. You cross over a couple free span bridges on your way to the west end of the lake. There can be lots of wildlife viewing opportunities for the observant hiker, but the better vista is on the mountains above the lake, sheep, goats and sometimes bears can be seen with good optics.(a spotting scope will keep you occupied for hours)

Our favorite canoe day trips-
--Hidden lake offers an easy access to a beautiful lake surrounded by spruce forests. There is plenty of exploring along the banks and islands. Nice picture views are the rewards for those who will do a little climbing at the end of the lake!
-- The Swanson lake chain area offers many options for a day trip and many more for an overnighter.The area is well mapped and traveled. The summer time loons and ducks are worth the couple portages you will have to make to find them, keep an eye out for Mama Moose and her calf's.
--Lower Skilak lake offers a huge area to paddle in and access to the top of the lower Kenai River. If you make arrangements to be picked up at Bing's landing you can finish your day with a nice paddle down from the lake and threw some awesomely grand areas. Check the weather forecasts before going out on this lake, it has glaciers along the upper end and the winds that are generated off those ice fields can make big waves in a hurry. If the wind picks up,get to shore and the boat launch or get down river.

River Rafting the upper Kenai River is a family fun or group adventure that will take you threw some great areas of this protected river system. The water is a tranquil green until it turns white for a little fun!! Wildlife viewing opportunities abound and the guide is there to answer your questions(and paddle)!

Ocean Kayaking outfitters are in no short supply on the Homer Spit. Spend the extra time and money to be taken (across) to the south side of the bay on a guided paddle. The marine ecosystem is in full swing in the summer and this is arguably the best way to get up-close and personal!

Beach Combing and Bird watching alone can keep you busy for hours! The winter storms wash up all kinds of treasures for those interested. Shells, rocks and coral can fill your pockets in a hurry if you are not careful. Eagles and other bird soar along the bluff lines held up by the onshore winds forced into an updraft when they meet land. The best tide pool action is at Bishops beach in Homer on a negative tide. Many shore birds will be seen pecking out a living along this area also!!

Flight seeing glaciers and bear viewing is probably the most comprehensive view you will see of the majestic Harding Ice fields and the rugged coastal shore line which is home to so many bears. Mind you this type of travel is not for the timid flyer's among us, the air over the glaciers is often "lumpy" and the best way to view bears on the ground is threw the side window of a small plane flying mostly on its side!

These are a few of the adventures to be had locally here. You will no doubt want to return and do them all again with friends and family. As our guests we can help you with your adventure plans.