Captain
Dean Schlehofer

Member since February 2020 Kenai, United States
Background
I have been fishing the Kenai River since 1986. Growing up in Connecticut, I often saw magazines writing about giant King Salmon in the Kenai. It was my dream to one day go to Alaska and catch one of those Kings. In 1981 my family and I miraculously moved to Alaska. I always seemed to fish north of Anchorage but in 1986 I went south to the Kenai with my friend Charles on his 16' aluminum boat. My first King weighed in at 37 lbs. A few weeks later I bought my first boat. On July 28, 1986, I landed an 80 lbs King Salmon. My dream of landing a trophy King had come true. I was the one who was hooked.
Techniques
Back-trolling, live bait, back bounce, bank fishing (flip), and anchored

Hey, I'm Captain Dean Schlehofer

Kenai, United States
Background
I have been fishing the Kenai River since 1986. Growing up in Connecticut, I often saw magazines writing about giant King Salmon in the Kenai. It was my dream to one day go to Alaska and catch one of those Kings. In 1981 my family and I miraculously moved to Alaska. I always seemed to fish north of Anchorage but in 1986 I went south to the Kenai with my friend Charles on his 16' aluminum boat. My first King weighed in at 37 lbs. A few weeks later I bought my first boat. On July 28, 1986, I landed an 80 lbs King Salmon. My dream of landing a trophy King had come true. I was the one who was hooked.
Techniques
Back-trolling, live bait, back bounce, bank fishing (flip), and anchored
Anglers Choice
Verified

My Charter Listings

Excellent
4.8 / 5
(184 reviews)
Angler's choice
Kenai
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $225
Excellent
4.7 / 5
(26 reviews)
Angler's choice
Kasilof
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $225

Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.8 / 5
out of 5 stars from 210 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (116)
Great time
Great guide and experience
Great new experience fishing for sockeye.
+113
Angler rating
178
19
7
2
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
84%
Friendly captain
98%
Recommend this charter
92%
Appropriate for children
82%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
85%
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Showing:
5 of 210 reviews
Cameron D.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Unforgettable 1st Alaskan Fishing Trip with Captain Dean

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (PM) on August 17, 2025
I had an amazing time on my half-day fishing trip on the Kenai River with Captain Dean, the owner of King of the River. Dean...
Cameron D. recommends King of the River โ€“ Powerboat
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Cameron D. recommends King of the River โ€“ Powerboat
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John P.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

What a trip!

VERIFIED   Full Day Trip on July 31, 2025
From start to finish this trip was everything you could dream of! Our guide Bobby was exactly what you want in a guide! We...
John P. recommends King of the River โ€“ Powerboat
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You and 1 other person found this review helpful
John P. recommends King of the River โ€“ Powerboat
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful

Tim T.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Chris is the man!!!

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (AM) on July 20, 2025
Could not have asked for a better trip for my son and grandsonsโ€™ first sockeye trip.ย  Caught 30 big reds on a couple of...
Tim T. recommends King of the River โ€“ Powerboat
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You and 1 other person found this review helpful
Tim T. recommends King of the River โ€“ Powerboat
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1 person finds this review helpful
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Jake S.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great guide and experience

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (AM) on August 22, 2025
Chris was a great guy and you can tell he loves Fishing. Aside from meeting him at 3:30 in the a.m. and it being pretty cold,...
Jake S. recommends King of the River โ€“ Powerboat
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Jake S. recommends King of the River โ€“ Powerboat
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Eric H.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Shockeye salmon run

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (AM) on July 10, 2025
King of the River didnโ€™t disappoint on the 2025 Sockeye salmon run. The guide we had on the fish trip coached and trained...
Eric H. recommends King of the River โ€“ Powerboat
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful
Eric H. recommends King of the River โ€“ Powerboat
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful