The KPTU Chapter is active throughout the Kenai Peninsula, bringing people together to care for and recover the rivers and fish we love, inspire the next generation to become stewards of our natural resources, and to have fun and make friends along the way!
CONSERVATION & RESTORATION
As a conservation nonprofit, the Kenai Peninsula Chapter of Trout Unlimited works to protect, restore, and reconnect the rivers and streams that sustain the Kenai Peninsula’s salmon and trout. Our chapter leads local volunteer efforts such as habitat restoration projects, riparian tree plantings, and community science initiatives that help improve our understanding of fish habitat across the region.
One recent example is a project funded through a $5,500 Embrace-A-Stream grant from Trout Unlimited’s national program. This effort focuses on surveying streams across the Kenai Peninsula to verify and expand entries in the Alaska Anadromous Waters Catalog. The catalog documents waters used by salmon and other anadromous fish during their life cycles and serves as an important reference for development and habitat protection decisions.
Through this project, trained volunteers deploy minnow traps in targeted streams to document juvenile salmonids and confirm their presence in previously unlisted water bodies. By mapping and documenting these habitats, the chapter aims to improve the region’s salmon habitat database while helping ensure that important streams receive the protections they deserve.
Beyond individual projects, we work closely with community partners, scientists, and land managers to advance larger conservation initiatives that support healthy fisheries and resilient watersheds across Alaska.
YOUTH EDUCATION
Inspiring the next generation of anglers and conservation stewards is at the heart of what we do. The Kenai Peninsula Chapter of Trout Unlimited works to connect young people with the rivers, fish, and ecosystems that make our region special. Through hands-on programs like youth fly-fishing camps and annual rod-building workshops, students learn the fundamentals of fly fishing while also gaining a deeper understanding of fish ecology, aquatic insects, habitat, and responsible stewardship.
These programs are designed to be fun, welcoming, and educational—giving youth the chance to build skills, spend time outdoors, and develop a lifelong connection to healthy fisheries and wild places.
WOMENS FISHING
Trout Unlimited’s Kenai Peninsula Chapter is committed to making fly fishing more welcoming and accessible to everyone. Through a partnership with Lakeview Outfitters and support from a grant from the American Sportfishing Association, we are expanding our Women on the Water program to help more women build confidence and community in the outdoors.
This initiative offers supportive, hands-on opportunities for women of all experience levels to learn and grow in the sport. Participants can attend fly-tying gatherings designed to build skills and connect anglers with one another, and apply for a chance to join guided float trips on the Upper Kenai River, and walk-in fishing trips near Cooper Landing and Anchorage. Whether someone is brand new to fly fishing or looking to deepen their knowledge, the goal is to create a welcoming environment where women can learn, fish, and build lasting connections to the river and to each other.
TU FLY LAB
Learn to tie flies at Kenai Peninsula Chapter of Trout Unlimited’s popular fly-tying night. Family friendly. All skill levels welcome. Vices and fly-tying equipment supplied. We meet monthly in Kenai at Main Street Tap and Grill. Check out our Facebook Page for more info!
International Fly Fishing Film Festival (IF4)
Each year the Kenai Peninsula Chapter of Trout Unlimited hosts a screening of the International Fly Fishing Film Festival (IF4), one of the fly fishing community’s most anticipated annual events. The festival brings together anglers, conservationists, and outdoor enthusiasts for an evening of inspiring films that celebrate wild fisheries, adventure, and the people who care about protecting our rivers.
Our local event is more than just a movie night—it’s a chance for the community to gather and support conservation on the Kenai Peninsula. Guests enjoy a lineup of short films from around the world highlighting fly fishing destinations, unique fisheries, and powerful conservation stories. The evening also features a lively silent auction filled with fishing gear, guided trips, and outdoor items donated by local businesses and supporters, with all proceeds benefiting the chapter’s conservation and youth programs.
Beer lovers have an extra reason to attend. Each year, Kenai River Brewing Company partners with the chapter to release their special Two-Timing Trout Ale, brewed specifically for the event and available during the festival.
IF4 events are held in communities around the world, showcasing a rotating selection of films each year and helping connect anglers through a shared passion for fishing and conservation. Our annual screening has become a favorite Kenai Peninsula tradition and an important fundraiser that helps power the chapter’s work throughout the year. Stay tuned on Facebook for this years event!