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
Randy C.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

July fishing trip

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip on July 23, 2025
Jason was a great guide super patient
Randy C. recommends King of the River โ€“ Drift Boat
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Randy C. recommends King of the River โ€“ Drift Boat
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Kaleb T.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

July fishing trip

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (PM) on July 1, 2025
Kaleb T. recommends King of the River โ€“ Powerboat
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Kaleb T. recommends King of the River โ€“ Powerboat
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Creative Self Care Solutions
Very good
4.0 / 5
Experience:
Very good
4.0 / 5
Boat
Very good
4.0 / 5
Crew
Very good
4.0 / 5
Overall

Fishing with Dean

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (AM) on July 11, 2025
Creative Self Care Solutions recommends King of the River โ€“ Powerboat
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Creative Self Care Solutions recommends King of the River โ€“ Powerboat
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Brian L.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Phenomenal fishing charter

VERIFIED   Full Day Trip on July 9, 2024
Jacob was absolutely phenomenal, he made it super easy to catch fish and we all hit our limit for our catches for today. Jacob...
Brian L. recommends King of the River โ€“ Powerboat
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Brian L. recommends King of the River โ€“ Powerboat
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Dustin H.
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Very good
4.0 / 5
Overall

2 Drift Boats on the Kasilof & Shore fishing for Sockeye

VERIFIED   Full Day Trip on June 19, 2024
Due to the inability to fish King Salmon on the Kenai, we had to switch to drift boats on the Kasilof. Our guides were great....
Dustin H. recommends King of the River โ€“ Powerboat
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  Dean Schlehofer Captain replied