The Kenai is a worldclass salmon river that attracts fishermen from all over the world but is also the ampldquoeverymanamprdquo river of the great fishing paradise of Alaska because of its accessibility.The Kenai River is special not only because worldrecord salmon are caught in its stunning green waters but because it is on the road system and thus can be accessed by the average fisherman not merely the welltodo who pay huge sums to fish in remote Alaskan areas controlled by private lodges and that are approachable only by small planes.In a state that takes at least a share of its identity from its image as The Last Frontier and concurrently as a fishing haven the Kenai River is the lifeblood of a sporting world and industry that offers an incomparable fishing experience to the resident the tourist the hardcore fisherman the beginner and the expert.Fishermen in the Lower 48 states seduced by images of gigantic fighting salmon dream of some day fishing the picturesque waters of the Kenai River. Fishermen who live in Southcentral Alaska including Alaskas largest city of Anchorage plot their fishing seasons around the arrival of king salmon red salmon and silver salmon. To all of them the Kenai is a magical river.Not only is it the place of dreams where an angler might catch a world record or worldclass fish it is despite its nearness to the small cities of Kenai and Soldotna still a wilderness. At one bend in the river there might be a hotel a private summer home or a forest since the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge also swallows the Kenai River.The eightyfilemilelong Kenai River is more or less two rivers. The upper river prohibits motorized boats altogether. The lower river features them. The upper river invites rafters and flyfishermen. The lower river offers savvy guides who know each turn of the river each rockamprsquos placement and the opportunity to fish for 70 80 or 90pound salmon through specially developed styles appropriate to t