Outside Beyond the Lens | Alaskas Kenai River | Season 3 | Episode 301

(soft music) - [Jeff] Rivers have always seemed like a perfect metaphor to life for me.

Our time on this earth, like a short voyage on moving waters, leading to a destination unknown.

Our only control, navigating between the banks along the way.

With unexpected rapids and calm slow moving waters that can lead to a rivers fork, we might not otherwise have explored.

This is the Kenai river in Central Alaska.

A place where salmon runs and wild beauty draw people from far beyond these glacial waters.

Coming here to catch fish.

- Look at that.

- [Jeff] Leaving this place with so much more.

We've to the Kenai peninsula to tell a story.

A story of love and loss that has inspired new journeys for those in search of what Alaska can be.

We've come to the Kenai to capture its beauty in camera and share the magic of Alaska with friends and family here for their first time.

From a hike into the woods, not far from the river's edge.

To discovering seaside towns with historic stops and personalities tough to forget.

- Did you guys see Dave or Zach?

- Not a hide nor hair.

- [Jeff] Adventure on the Kenai is easy to find.

The trophy rainbows that follow the salmon up river tend to be a little more challenging.

- All right, So Conley's on a, we think it's a rainbow.

It's giving him a little bit of a fit.

- [Jeff] But one thing sure to happen when you come to Alaska is the way places like this change you inside.

A realization occurs that you're now somewhere special.

A place still wild and filled with wonder.

- He's got a beast.

- You wanna let him go?

- No, he's going downtown on you.

Hang on a second.

- [Jeff] The turns in the river were on today that led us here, happened because another journey ended too soon.

A strong connection, Cameron Pius had to the Kenai now lived on and a lodge built to honor his memory.

The cycles of life on an Alaskan river are tough and wonderful and constant.

And now can be known by those who come here.

Let it in and then pass it on.

- [Jeff] When you travel, the world becomes a smaller place.

When you explore with friends that share a love of photography, destinations come to life.

- Are you not entertained?

- [Jeff] We tell the stories of travel with our cameras.

Capturing images of the most beautiful places on earth, but every adventure reveals more than what's found in the frame.

The people, the food and the unexpected turns that happen on every journey.

- You wanna let him go?

- No, he's going downtown on you.

Hang on a second.

- [Jeff] Brings the fullest experience of travel into focus.

- [Narrator 3] Production funding for "Outside, Beyond the Lens", provided by Visit Fresno County.

Nature, diversity found in the heart of California Central Valley.

From Fresno and Clovis, you can drive to three nearby national parks.

By Hedricks Chevrolet.

- Hedrick Chevrolet is proud to support the spirit of travel in each of us.

Every journey has a first step, adventures start here.

- [Narrator 3] By Advanced Beverage Company, serving Bakersfield and Kern county for over 50 years.

From our family to yours.

Supporting valley PBS and the wonder of travel.

By The Penstar Group, promoting growth and opportunity in business through collaboration and partnerships for the future.

By Hodges electric, serving California Central Valley since 1979.

Dedicated to supporting public television and the calling in all of us to explore.

And by visit Yosemite Madera County, California's gateway to Yosemite National Park.

Explore the outdoor magic of Madera County and be inspired to discover more.

(soft music) - [Jeff] Alaska has called to us again, but this time in a way we didn't expect.

And because of that, the way we answered the call led to the kind of adventure here we'll never forget The discovery to things new to us is perhaps the biggest reason why we travel.

To see new places, new landscapes and to look into the faces of new people, all make the practice of travel, something we love.

But for me equally as exciting is bringing loved ones back to a place they've yet to see.

Places only captured by our cameras or described to friends and family over dinner back home.

So when this trip came together for Dave, Zach and I, along with the opportunity to come to the Kenai Peninsula with family for their first Alaskan adventure, we knew this would be a special journey.

After a long day of flying to Anchorage from Central California, grabbing a rental van that could hold nine and driving three hours to Soldotna Alaska, we arrived at our lodge on the banks of the Kenai late and settled in for the night.

I had recently become friends with Brent Pius, a home builder in Shaver Lake, California.

As I got to know Brent better, he opened up about a tragedy in his life.

The unexpected loss of his son, Cameron.

Who passed away from an unknown heart condition on Christmas Eve of 2015 at the age of 23.

Cameron had developed a deep love for the Kenai on summer fishing trips here.

So in 2020, the family bought this property along the Kenai.

Built a new cabin and remodeled the one that was here and opened cams Kenai riverfront lodges.

So people like us could experience the Alaska, Cameron was falling in love with.

It became a way for his family to heal while honoring the memory of Cam in a way he would love.

With an early Alaskan or sunrise lighting up the river, we hit the water with cameras and fishing gear to start the day.

- [Jeff] I'm gonna go out a little further, Sorenson.

I'm gonna load up here double hall.

All right.

So we are here on a nice crisp summer morning on the Kenai river.

And, did I just catch a fish?

Nope.

I caught a rock.

Anyway, what we're doing here is fishing for Sockeye and Silver Salmon that are coming up the Kenai river.

We are doing what's called flossing.

So we're using a fly rod with a big weight on it.

And basically all we do is just sort of flip the weight.

About eight feet behind the weight is a hook with a piece of bright orange yarn on it.

They come in waves really and so, we'll just keep roll casting out into the salmon, out into the river.

And we just let that big weight hit the bottom and when it bounces across the bottom, you just bring it back across.

And if the salmon are there, it's not uncommon to get a hookup almost on every cast.

But right now, because we have the camera rolling.

We're not gonna have that productivity (laughs) right now.

(folk music) For this run up to Alaska, we brought a fun group.

My good friends and regular travel buddies, The Bigliones.

My fishing pal, Jeff Sorenson, and my wife, Jill, who has never been to Alaska before.

As the morning sun warmed the banks of the river, everyone hit the fishing platforms.

Brit put up to make access to the short, easier to navigate.

Even though the Kenai is big, the fish typically migrate upstream right next to the bank where the power of the current is easier to swim against.

Okay.

Breakfast.

Biscuits in gravy.

Oh!

God dang it.

Okay, they're a little further out Sorenson.

I'm getting bumped on 'em.

- [Jeff] Once we got the whole flossing technique down for these Sockeye, fish started stacking up on the bank and everyone began to ease into the beauty and magic of a summer day in Alaska.

- [Sorenson] Oh nice.

(folk music) - [Jeff] Zach and Dave are busy grabbing detail footage of the property, but I wanted them to experience the fight these Sockeye can put up against light tackle and a fly rod.

I got Boomer in the water first and it didn't take long for him to hook his first salmon.

- You got one?

- Yeah.

- Okay (laughs).

Let the line out.

Good Dave.

- [Zack] That was awesome.

- Okay, now start reeling him back.

So, drop the rod.

- Yeah, I can feel him coming a little bit.

- Drop tip, and reel in as you drop and struck, fight him back a little bit.

Good, good, good.

Now use the pole.

- Yep.

- You got it.

Don't rush it, don't rush it.

Got him.

- [Dave] Boom.

- Oh my God.

- That's a big Dave.

- [Dave] That's awesome.

- [Jeff] No, dude, that's a big.

That is a big silver, that's why you're the best.

(Dave laughs) - That is amazing.

That is amazing.

- [Jeff] Zach, Dave and I decided to sneak away from the lodge for a while, to explore a nearby wildlife refuge.

Just a short drive from downtown Soldotna nearby.

The is Zach's first time in Alaska as well.

So I wanted him to experience the beautiful wooded areas that are a dream to hike through in this part of the state in summer.

- [Zack] I've been wanting to come here for a long time actually and this is really cool.

- [Jeff] Yeah and you're seeing a really good example of what temperate forests are like here in the Kenai.

- Yeah.

I mean it green very green obviously compared to where I'm from at this time of the year, but it's nice and cool.

The weather's great.

Man, it's just, it's clean, air's nice, color everywhere.

- [Jeff] Yeah.

Access like this into these temperate forests is an easy way to capture the detail of the wooded areas of the Kenai Peninsula.

Slowing down and immersing ourselves into this forest and enjoying the photography here is what brings a deep appreciation for places like this.

(pleasant music) On our second day, everyone is ready to venture out and explore more of the Kenai Peninsula.

So what's into the van for a two hour drive south to the historic seaside town of Homer, Alaska.

Along the way, there are lots of places to stretch your legs and take in some of the stunning scenery of Central Alaska and capture moments of what everyday life here is like.

(pleasant music) By midday, our drive down Alaska highway one brought us into the town of Homer.

An historic fishing village and popular tourist stop, best known for a sandspit that jets out into Kachemak bay.

(pleasant music) Here, restaurants, souvenir shops, and places to come watch the fishermen bring in their salmon in halibut catches of the day give Homer its nautical charms.

A walk along Homer's main drag is also excellent for people watching.

And in my case, getting to meet an interesting person who now calls Homer home.

- I'm from New Hampshire originally.

- [Zack] Kidding.

- Yeah.

I first came here in 84.

This is the most beautiful woman I've ever seen.

So even when I was away from this most beautiful woman, you can't get her outta your mind.

She's just imprinted in your mind.

And this is the hole that this place put on me.

Have you been to the Dawg?

- [Jeff] We just pulled up.

- [Mike] The Salty Dawg.

You been to the Dawg?

- [Zack] We just got here.

- Oh, you gotta go to the Salty Dawg.

If you don't go to Salty Dawg, you don't get your ticket punch.

You can't leave the community.

- What part is this?

We call this the spit.

Where are we right now?

- It's actually called the spit.

- It's actually called the spit.

- In 1962 in an earthquake, - 64.

- Actually an undated with salt water and.

- And the trees died.

- Took a long time to actually for the grass to grow again.

- Okay, well, so, and this is the main barrier between the Pacific ocean and the Harbor.

Is that right?

- Well, kinda.

This is where cook inlet is going to hook up into the Gulf of Alaska.

- [Jeff] Oh, cook inlet.

- [Mike] That's Mac big cook inlet opens up into the Gulf of Alaska.

- [Jeff] I get it.

I get it.

No, I get it.

This is a great look.

We just landed here.

Just got here today.

Just drove in.

We're shooting around.

In fact, Dave and Zach are somewhere I haven't even seen.

Did you guys see Dave or Zach?

- Not a hide nor hair.

- You don't even know Dave or Zack?

- No.

- Didn't even know him.

Okay.

All right.

Well, I'm glad I met you guys because now I have a little bit better feeling on what to do, including going to the Salty Dawg.

So we're gonna head there next.

(upbeat music) The musty stop on the spit and Homer is the Salty Dawg.

On the outside, it doesn't look like much, but slip past the doors and you are transported into another world.

(upbeat music) A cave like atmosphere with dollar bills stucked at every possible square inch of ceiling and walls.

Paper stack tights covered with handwritten notes from all over the world.

The cocktails were pretty good too.

(upbeat music) Back at the lodge for another shoreline fishing session.

As the long light of an Alaskan summer day slowly stretches shadows over the forest.

Now, anytime that you're camping or just hanging out in a lodge like this in the wild, food is always a big part of the fun.

Cooking together in the decked out kitchens at Cam's Kenai riverfront lodges is a group effort.

And lucky for us, we've got a couple expert chefs laying down gourmet cabin spread about every two hours.

No one will starve on this trip.

(indistinct chatter) - [Jeff] Sorenson has been busy cleaning our catch almost nonstop.

Zach tries his luck with fly rod in hand.

The flossing technique has a pretty steep learning curve, but once you feel it, you figure it out quick.

- [Jeff] Okay, now, get him on his reel.

Get him on the reel.

Get him on the real.

- [Jill] Zack.

- Now you're fighting him.

- [Jill] Oh my God.

- Hold on, hold him on the reel.

Let it go.

Let it go.

Let the reel, let the line go.

Watch the tide.

(laughs) - He's got a beast.

- You wanna let him go.

- No, he's going downtown on you.

Hang on a second.

Hold on, come on.

(both lauhing) - Okay, okay.

I'm gonna help you.

I'm gonna help you.

Zach got into a nice fish that was full of spirit and started to make a pretty good run down river.

Okay, this can take a while.

'Cause you're ended the freaking hog.

No, he's a hog.

He's a full fledged hog.

Being a part of Zach and Dave's first salmon catch is something I'll always remember and exactly why this lodge was built.

- [Jeff] He's gonna run, he's gonna run.

(water splashes) - [Zack] Now, let him go.

- [Jeff] Yeah.

Cam's love for fishing and sharing moments like this with friends and family is preserved in a place where only these kinds of memories can be made.

- [Zack] Pick him up, pick him up.

- [Jeff] Got him.

- [Dave] Hold on, hold on.

(everyone cheering) - Zacharia.

Welcome to salmon.

(everyone laughs) - That's awesome.

Wow.

- [Jeff] Stand up.

Here we go.

- [Jill] Oh my God.

- [Jeff] One, two, three, boom, boom in.

- [Jill] Okay.

No, no, no, no, no.

Look at me.

- [Jill] Yeah.

Yeah, ready.

One, two, five.

(Jill laughs) - Two five.

- [Jill] Good job, Zach.

- [Jeff] I've heard stories before about giant rainbow trout that could be caught on the Kenai as they follow the spawning salmon runs up ever.

Feeding on eggs laid by the salmon they are washed out of their gravel beds.

Brett Pious suggested we hook up with one of the best guides on the river to get us on these mythical trout, while also having the chance to explore the upper reaches of the Kenai by boat.

- Bones, the dog is digging the ride right now, - [Jeff] Longtime Kenai river guide Ian McDonald and his trustee dog, Bones.

Welcome to Zach, Jeff, Conley and I aboard as we began an 11 mile run up river in search of a monster catch.

- [Ian] So we're on the middle Kenai right now, putting in at bings landing.

This is the most accessible roadside stream, most fished accessible roadside stream in Alaska with over millions of fish that come in here every year.

It's super important 'cause majority of Alaska harvest their fish out of this river.

It's really, really special because it has huge numbers of Sockeye that come in.

This year being unique, it has over 2 million fish that have entered the river to spawn.

- [Jeff] We all liked Ian right off the bat.

His laid back style and knowledge of the Kenai ecosystem drew us into the adventure.

And skimming up river on these turquoise waters gave us a new appreciation for the river.

- Dude, she's my star.

And I gave her bath today too.

(laughs) - [Jeff] The plan was for Ian to take us to the headwaters of the Middle Kenai, where it begins at Skilak lake, The run up river, even if we weren't fishing would be worth it.

In fact, for just a photo safari.

Booking with Ian would put you into the kind of terrain and landscapes, you can only access by boat.

At the point where the river and lake merge, Ian cuts the motor to set up what we're doing next.

- [Ian] So there's two lake systems to the Kenai, two that are connected to the Kenai, which is Skilak lake and Kenai lake.

Skilak being the larger of the two.

I'm pretty sure it gets over a thousand feet deep.

And yeah, I mean, this is where, this is where I live.

This is home for me.

- You guys, just listen.

- All you hear is fish jumping and loons.

- Fish jumping and loons.

I mean, this is, now I'm serious.

You guys, this is like as good as it gets right here.

And there's fish all around us.

Did we get in some sort of a voting accident down river and this is actually the first days of heaven?

(laughs) Like are we living, did we like not know that we got in some sort of tragic, weird fairy accident or some kind?

This is really cool.

All right.

So Ian, what is the first thing we're gonna do?

- So.

- [Jeff] Are we gonna fish right here?

- We're gonna fish.

Yeah, we're gonna fish right here.

I'll have to have the engine on for it.

- [Jeff] There's fish just right there.

- [Ian] So we're gonna fish for Sockeye salmon.

Some of them are a little bit red.

They're getting a little closer to their spawning, but there's some fresh ones around and we're gonna troll some little plugs and see if we can get a few of 'em bite.

- [Jeff] All right.

- We have it to ourselves.

There's nobody up here.

- [Jeff] Yeah.

Do your thing, man.

This is awesome.

When the Sockeye are in the river or the ocean, they typically feed on phytoplankton and crill as filter feeders.

This means they won't hit large spinners or lures downstream, but here, for some reason they will hit a certain kind of lure that Ian is trolling and it doesn't take long to get into the action.

Well, what you're seeing right here, folks is what we call in the fishing world a double.

Meaning Ian put us in a really good spot and we've got two hookups.

So Jeff and Conley are both hooked up on Sockeyes.

And the trick now is to keep him from getting tangled from each other.

Conley looks like he's gonna, oh, he lost it right at the end.

That's right?

(indistinct chatter) Yep.

Look at that.

That's fine netting ability there by Ian.

- [Conley] You didn't see any of that back at the camp.

- [Jeff] No (laughs).

The beauty of this remote part of the Kenai has transported us to a completely different mindset.

Ian finds a secluded stretch of gravel on Skilak lake to make a fresh salmon shore lunch for us.

(soft music) Taking the time to have experiences like this always pays off years down the road.

That's how we do it right there.

That's how Ian does it.

I can't believe Zach's still shooting right now.

He's normally got, he'll have a fork with him before everybody else.

Sharing this quiet scenic section of shore for a Lakeside lunch with perfect weather and with good friends is something none of us will forget.

Now headed back down river.

Ian is changing tactics to try and fool one of the monster rainbow trout that are in this river.

- The barber's gonna be tapping quite aggressively in some areas, it's only like a foot deep or two feet deep, in other areas, it's seven feet deep.

So, you're gonna see it peat pretty mellow.

And then you're gonna see it hit pretty hard.

- [Jeff] The action in this part of the river was fast and furious, but mostly the guys were catching Dolly Vardens, a smaller trout like fish that puts up a good fight, but nothing like a 30 pound rainbow we were hoping for.

Any day on the water is a good day.

And with an unforgettable experience under our belts on the middle Kenai and new friends made in Ian McDonald and Bones, it's time to head back to the lodge as the day winds down.

Cam's Kenai riverfront lodges was a place easy to feel at home in.

The layout in the matching cabins is warm and inviting.

With comfy beds and great views of the river.

The fishing platforms are just steps from the back porch of the cabins.

And as the sun begins to set late, there's time to find a few more Sockeye to fight.

Spending time together like this with the people you love is exactly why the Pius family built this cabin after or Cam's passing.

This is the life Cam was already living and the way he would've wanted this place to be.

On our last morning, Brent had told me to be sure to visit the memory post on the pavilion.

Here, before guests leave the lodge, they come down is a hook or lure into the post and hold one memory from their stay.

It's also a time for us to think of Cam and say, thank you.

We didn't know Cameron Pius, or even have the chance to meet him, but the legacy he's left behind in the spirit of this place, where families can come share in the beauty of Alaska together is something we'll always be grateful for.

(soft music) - [Narrator 3] Production funding for "Outside, Beyond the lens", provided by Visit Fresno County.

Nature, diversity found in the heart of California Central Valley.

From Fresno and Clovis, you can drive to three nearby national parks.

By Hedricks Chevrolet.

- Hedrick Chevrolet is proud to support the spirit of travel in each of us.

Every journey has a first step, adventures start here.

- [Narrator 3] By Advanced Beverage Company, serving Bakersfield and Kern county for over 50 years.

From our family to yours.

Supporting valley PBS and the wonder of travel.

By The Penstar Group, promoting growth and opportunity in business through collaboration and partnerships for the future.

By Hodges electric, serving California Central Valley since 1979.

Dedicated to supporting public television and the calling in all of us to explore.

And by visit Yosemite Madera County, California's gateway to Yosemite National Park.

Explore the outdoor magic of Madera County and be inspired to discover more.

(upbeat music)

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