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Soldotna, Alaska

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Kenai Peninsula

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Early-riser hooks late Ship Creek derby winner

Luck struck around 6:30 a.m. Sunday -- less than nine hours before the end of the 10-day Slam'n Salm'n derby -- when Robert Hayes hooked a 40.97-pound king salmon that made him the winner.

Ice fishing in June?

Summer solstice marked the beginning of the warm season last week, but two Anchorage fly-fishermen discovered Monday morning that winter still lingers deep in the Chugach Mountains.

Dipping for red gold

The Kasilof beach is cool and calm at 10 a.m. on Monday as Yolanda Thomas emerges from her family-sized tent for a morning of dipnetting on the shore of the Kasilof River.

Caribou slaighter near Point Hope leaves calves stranded

Back on his home turf

Catching every drop

Alaska fishing licenses

Fishing in Alaska's regions

Halibut and more

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King salmon (chinook)

Hiking and climbing

Kayaking: Wonderful water

Anchorage is on pace for record bear kills

Metro attractions: Parks, animals and blooms get attention in Anchorage

Guide Advertiser Index

Destination: Denali

Denali Park

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24/48: Homer

24/48: Seward

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Anchorage: Don't miss the museum, market, music and parks

No matter the weather, Southeast is beautiful

Soldotna's many riverfront parks give it personality

Majestic Mat-Su: Glaciers, mountains, rivers and history give Valley life

One day out: Short trips away from Anchorage are full of adventure

Kenai Peninsula: Wildlife, fishing, glaciers and fun-filled days

Natural beauty: Kachemak Bay provides a stunning backdrop for Homer

The Great One: Postcard-perfect world and Mount McKinley await

Kodiak: Festivals, museums and lots of fun on the Emerald Isle

Vibrant Valdez: Natural and man-made attractions make community thrive

Highway to history: Road from Paxson to Cantwell is rough but worth the drive

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Soldotna: A river town

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A quick driving lesson can help visitors

Summer daylight means pleasant temperatures

You're here, learn to speak 'Alaskan'

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Catch the wave, but stay away from the mud flats

A good day of sightseeing at Kenai Fjords National Park

If you go flightseeing

Get dirty: Off-road bike riding spots

First Friday art walk

Talkeetna time: Life in the small community moves at a different pace

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Mountains, glaciers, parkland define the biggest state

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Kenai, Russian rivers are just the beginning for anglers

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Angling paradise: Seward has a line on halibut and salmon fishing

Fishing fever: Early-season anglers converge on the lower Kenai Peninsula

Fishing for fun: Kachemak Bay's waters are full of halibut and salmon

Valley waters: Anglers discover outstanding fishing just outside Anchorage

Mat-Su area: Museums, mine, State Fair and animals draw visitors

Gateways to Chugach State Park

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An explosive past

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Seward's surroundings leave visitors gasping for breath

Bear essentials: Planned encounters with fishing grizzlies is a highlight

Copper Valley: History and wilderness join forces at Wrangell-St. Elias

Fairbanks: Enjoy nearly endless daylight, Gold Rush history

Gifts galore: From downtown markets to art galleries, options abound

Celebrations: Music and food are summer festival highlights

Flightseeing helps visitors grasp Alaska's immensity

Golden destination: Hikers and history buffs all enjoy Hatcher Pass

Heaven on wheels: Trails across Anchorage, through wilderness keep cyclists moving

Wilderness wonder: Chugach State Park, city parks full of excitement

A touch of history: Old Town Kenai should be on the itinerary for visitors

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Talkeetna: Mountain majesty

Wrangell-St. Elias: Wilderness wonder

UAF tours

Southeast Alaska: Off-the-roadway fishing at its finest

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Cabin Comfort

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Mat-Su magic

In summer, quirky Talkeetna keeps busy with visitors

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Explore Soldotna

Whittier is the place for glacier cruises, fishing, kayaking

'Little Switzerland' an eye-catching glimpse of Alaska

Kenai Fjords National Park makes Seward a must-see spot

Wrangell-St. Elias offers millions of acres, few visitors

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Bore tide an exciting sight on Turnagain Arm

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Homer: Beautiful bay

Cordova: No road, no problem

Hatcher Pass, mine area rich in history, outdoor activities

Mat-Su area

Girdwood is a great starting point for time away from town

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Anglers' Shangri-La

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EAGLE RIVER: Hiking, history and Highland Games keep visitors busy

DOWNTOWN ANCHORAGE: Don't miss the parks, museums, flowers and history

KODIAK: Enjoy the Emerald Isle's festivals, fish and museums

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Bore tide: Timing is everything to catch unusual wave

Budget some fun

Whittier: Sound springboard

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METRO Anchorage: Give attention to animals, parks, planes and blooms

MAT-SU: State Fair, Alaska animals, mine, museums are highlights

GPS users, golfers, runners and disc golfers enjoy outdoors

Water, wild or calm: Trips range from multiday thrills to a lovely, serene afternoon

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TURNAGAIN ARM: Girdwood, Portage and Hope offer outdoor adventures

KENAI PENINSULA: Parks, wildlife, glaciers and fishing fill up the days

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Salmon and clams add to the fun on Kachemak Bay

Urban encounters: Finding wildlife in town not hard if you know where to go

Fun for free: There's lots to see and do that won't involve your wallet

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Catch local musicians and Outside acts at Anchorage hot spots

Dining: Seafood dominates the menu at local restaurants

Do it in a day

Culture: Drumbeat of Native dancers can be highlight of a summer visit

Festivals: Summer festivals focus on fish, music and fun

BIKING: Pedaling paradise

SHOPPING: Savvy souvenirs

HIKING: Hiking heaven

DOWNTOWN ANCHORAGE: Parks, museums, flowers and history fascinate

DAY TRIPS: Adventure awaits a short drive outside Anchorage

DINING OUT: A taste of place

FESTIVALS: Music, food and airplanes are summer festival highlights

NIGHTLIFE: Bar basics

DOWNTOWN ANCHORAGE: Parks, museums, flowers and history fascinate

METRO ANCHORAGE: Animals, parks, planes and blooms are worth attention

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Inside Passage lodging: Juneau, Ketchikan and more

Western Alaska lodging: Kodiak, Nome, Bethel and more

Northern Alaska lodging: Barrow and Kotzebue

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Kenai River town has plenty to do in addition to fishing

SARA J. HARDAN-SMITH / Daily News correspondent

Soldotna, 140 miles south of Anchorage, features the pristine waters of the Kenai River flowing through the town's heart. The river provides a rich source of food for many and serves as a major theme for all types of area art.

The Soldotna Visitors Center should be at the top of all visitors' itineraries. The center provides information in the form of brochures, maps and some great advice on where to eat and play.

The center also has a great display of wildlife including a bald eagle, black bear, Dall sheep, several species of birds and a world-record king salmon caught just downstream of the center by Les Anderson in 1985.

"Visit Soldotna and you will understand why we are a favorite playground for Alaska," said center staff member Tanya Lautaret.

The center also features a fish walk with 250 feet of walkway and a stairway down to the river. Free tours are held daily at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. from mid-June to mid-August. The tours are about 30 minutes long and access to the river is handicap-accessible.

For visitors with fishing in mind, the Kenai River is a great source. Fish can be caught from the banks near the visitors center, at Rotary Park on Funny River Road and at Soldotna Creek Park in town. For those wanting a guided trip, full- and half-day charters can help anglers catch salmon, Dolly Varden trout and steelhead.

Soldotna is a hot spot for fishing in the summertime, but for those interested in viewing Soldotna's artistic side, the Quilting on the Kenai Wearable Arts and Fashion Show is a must-see.

Pat Reese, owner of Robin Place Fabrics, said the summer event is popular with both residents and visitors. For the past 16 years, Reese has coordinated it to showcase area talent and promote area businesses.

The event kicks off with the quilt walk. A participant is given a passport with names of 12 area businesses that have quilts on display. After each store is visited, the vendor stamps the participant's passport and the participant is entered into a drawing held at the fashion show.

"They have one week to complete the tour," Reese said. "It makes a fun event."

The quilt show is held June 24-26 at Cook Inlet Academy on Kalifornsky Beach Road, with demonstrations, national teachers featured and vendors on hand for questions and sales.

Reese said one unique aspect of the show is the treadle race, with youth and adult divisions and three heats. She said it is great to watch the races performed on old treadle machines.

"It is really fun," she said. "It is more difficult than you think."

The event culminates with the wearable art fashion show.

For the past 16 years the event has grown and attracted visitors from Alaska and the Lower 48. Reese said it is a great way to see the art and meet those who come for the fashions.

Those looking to incorporate fitness into their visit to Soldotna should sign up for Tri the Kenai, a triathlon on June 13.

Competitors will swim one-half mile in Miracle Lake, bike 16 miles on the Sterling Highway and Robinson Loop and run a 5-kilometer race through the woods on maintained gravel trails.

Those looking to take a dip in Miracle Lake should make sure to bring a wet suit. The nonglacier-fed lake is one of the warmest in Alaska but still not very warm.

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Kenai River Festival

The festival is the 20th anniversary celebration of the Kenai River. The family event includes food, live music, games, crafts, puppet shows, artisan booths and educational programs. The Run for the River 5-kilometer and 10-mile races are June 13.

WHERE: Soldotna Creek Park, Soldotna

WHEN: June 13-14

COST: Free

PHONE: 907-260-5449

WEB: www.kenaiwatershed.org

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Soldotna, Alaska

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