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The Chena is a popular catch & release grayling stream that runs through the second largest city in Alaska, Fairbanks. It's also the site of the Troutnut's Ph.D. research on juvenile Chinook salmon. There's easy access to good grayling water all along Chena Hot Springs Road for 15-20 miles in the river's upper reach.

Arctic grayling in the 16-inch range are easy to come by, and grayling above 18 are possible in a good day. The better-than-average size and numbers here can be attributed to the catch-and-release-only regulations that have been in place since the 90s. Grayling are very slow-growing fish that can live for decades, and in a river so close to town and with such easy access the population of big fish dwindles quickly if people are allowed to keep them. The maximum size here does not match the monster grayling of Alaska's west coast, but this is as good a grayling fishery as any on the Alaskan road system.

Although the Chena holds both Chinook and Chum salmon, the fishery for them does not match what outsiders picture when they think of Alaska salmon fishing. The river is only open to salmon fishing in its deep, slow, meandering lower miles, where fly fishing, sight fishing, and wading are all difficult. It's mostly the domain of bait and lure fishermen in boats, and the good fishing for them only lasts a week or two as the main pulse of salmon blows through to their spawning grounds in the upper river, which is closed for salmon.

Landscape & scenery photos from the Chena River

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The high gradient kept this stretch of the river open despite the frigid winter temperature in central Alaska. From the Chena River in Alaska.
The high gradient kept this stretch of the river open despite the frigid winter temperature in central Alaska.
StateAlaska
LocationChena River
Date TakenFeb 20, 2006
Date AddedApr 15, 2006
AuthorTroutnut
I spotted this moose calf resting in the snow across the road from the river I was photographing in Alaska in late February. From Chena Hot Springs Road in Alaska.
I spotted this moose calf resting in the snow across the road from the river I was photographing in Alaska in late February.
StateAlaska
Date TakenFeb 20, 2006
Date AddedApr 15, 2006
AuthorTroutnut
This is not a sunset picture, but a midday picture in Alaska in the winter.  The sun is low in the sky all day at that time of year. From the Chena River in Alaska.
This is not a sunset picture, but a midday picture in Alaska in the winter. The sun is low in the sky all day at that time of year.
StateAlaska
LocationChena River
Date TakenFeb 20, 2006
Date AddedApr 15, 2006
AuthorTroutnut
What a great place for a fly line to be! From the Chena River in Alaska.
What a great place for a fly line to be!
StateAlaska
LocationChena River
Date TakenJun 30, 2007
Date AddedJul 18, 2007
AuthorTroutnut
CameraPENTAX Optio WPi
Pretty grayling fins. From the Chena River in Alaska.
Pretty grayling fins.
StateAlaska
LocationChena River
Date TakenJun 30, 2007
Date AddedJul 18, 2007
AuthorTroutnut
CameraPENTAX Optio WPi
 From the Chena River in Alaska.
StateAlaska
LocationChena River
Date TakenJun 30, 2007
Date AddedJul 18, 2007
AuthorTroutnut
 From the Chena River in Alaska.
StateAlaska
LocationChena River
Date TakenJun 30, 2007
Date AddedJul 18, 2007
AuthorTroutnut
 From the Chena River in Alaska.
StateAlaska
LocationChena River
Date TakenJun 30, 2007
Date AddedJul 18, 2007
AuthorTroutnut
This rock formation overlooks a grayling stream on the central Alaskan road system. From the Chena River Valley in Alaska.
This rock formation overlooks a grayling stream on the central Alaskan road system.
StateAlaska
Date TakenFeb 20, 2006
Date AddedMay 21, 2006
AuthorTroutnut
 From the Chena River in Alaska.
StateAlaska
LocationChena River
Date TakenJun 30, 2007
Date AddedJul 18, 2007
AuthorTroutnut
Page:1234...6

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