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

My Charter Listings

Excellent
4.8 / 5
(184 reviews)
Kenai
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $225
Excellent
4.7 / 5
(26 reviews)
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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1 person finds this review helpful
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

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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Michelle B.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Went above and beyond

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (AM) on September 18, 2025
We had a great experience with Chris and his son, Fish:) slow start, but we moved around and they extended a little...
Michelle B. recommends King of the River โ€“ Powerboat
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Michelle B. recommends King of the River โ€“ Powerboat
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Frank B.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fishing was the BEST!!

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (PM) on August 6, 2025
Bobby our Captain was a 12 out of a scale of 10, His crew was amazing and they helped us above and beyond to get our limit...
Frank B. 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
Frank B. recommends King of the River โ€“ Powerboat
Mark review as helpful
1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful