A beautiful large Dolly Varden caught on fly by the author in Gertrude Creek, Alaska
Dolly Varden
Salvelinus malma
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Dolly Varden Description
Although often miscategorized as a Trout, Dolly Varden are actually a species of Char found in cold Pacific waters in the northwest portion of North America and in parts of northern Asia. Their spectacular colors (especially during their spawning season) and aggressive nature make them a prized gamefish. They are closely related to the Arctic Char and Bull Trout, with which they overlap in some areas.
There are some northern sea-run Dolly Varden that attain enormous sizes of up to 30lbs, while others stay in small freshwater streams and may stay under a pound their whole lives. Generally speaking, most Dolly Varden spawn in small streams and then eventually head out to the ocean or to larger lakes to live, returning in the fall to spawn. They may live up to 16 years, but rarely make it past 10.
Dollys have voracious appetites and consume a wide variety of foods based on availability. As juveniles, they eat a lot of insects and insect larvae. As adults, they primarily eat small fish (especially juvenile salmon) and follow salmon into rivers during the spawn to feast on their highly nutritious eggs.
Dolly Varden are easy to handle and do not have sharp teeth or spines. I have eaten some smoked and they were delicious.
Dolly Varden Pound for Pound Fight Rating - 5 out of 10 on the Freshwater Scale
Dolly Varden are decent fighters, similar to trout but a little less strong. They don't generally head straight for cover to wrap your line up. They may jump, but typically less than trout. A good light tackle target.
Dolly Varden Tackle
A light action spinning rod or 5 or 6 weight fly rod will handle most Dollys. Monofilament line is often a better option than braid in many cases as they have fairly soft mouths and the stretch of mono results in less pulled hooks. 12lb line should be able to handle pretty much any Dolly.
Dolly Varden Techniques
Prior to the salmon spawn, you can look for Dollys at the mouths of rivers or lake outlets to intercept migrating fish. Once the salmon start spawning, you should fish through and right behind their redds with egg imitations.
Dolly Varden Lures
When Dollys are targeting small fish such as juvenile salmon, you can use small silver spinners and spoons such as the Kastmaster or Pixie. Once they are on the salmon redds, it is time to switch to salmon egg imitations. In this situation, fly tackle can be used to great effect. You can also try egg sucking leeches.
Salvelinus malma
HOME
Other Species
Dolly Varden Description
Although often miscategorized as a Trout, Dolly Varden are actually a species of Char found in cold Pacific waters in the northwest portion of North America and in parts of northern Asia. Their spectacular colors (especially during their spawning season) and aggressive nature make them a prized gamefish. They are closely related to the Arctic Char and Bull Trout, with which they overlap in some areas.
There are some northern sea-run Dolly Varden that attain enormous sizes of up to 30lbs, while others stay in small freshwater streams and may stay under a pound their whole lives. Generally speaking, most Dolly Varden spawn in small streams and then eventually head out to the ocean or to larger lakes to live, returning in the fall to spawn. They may live up to 16 years, but rarely make it past 10.
Dollys have voracious appetites and consume a wide variety of foods based on availability. As juveniles, they eat a lot of insects and insect larvae. As adults, they primarily eat small fish (especially juvenile salmon) and follow salmon into rivers during the spawn to feast on their highly nutritious eggs.
Dolly Varden are easy to handle and do not have sharp teeth or spines. I have eaten some smoked and they were delicious.
Dolly Varden Pound for Pound Fight Rating - 5 out of 10 on the Freshwater Scale
Dolly Varden are decent fighters, similar to trout but a little less strong. They don't generally head straight for cover to wrap your line up. They may jump, but typically less than trout. A good light tackle target.
Dolly Varden Tackle
A light action spinning rod or 5 or 6 weight fly rod will handle most Dollys. Monofilament line is often a better option than braid in many cases as they have fairly soft mouths and the stretch of mono results in less pulled hooks. 12lb line should be able to handle pretty much any Dolly.
Dolly Varden Techniques
Prior to the salmon spawn, you can look for Dollys at the mouths of rivers or lake outlets to intercept migrating fish. Once the salmon start spawning, you should fish through and right behind their redds with egg imitations.
Dolly Varden Lures
When Dollys are targeting small fish such as juvenile salmon, you can use small silver spinners and spoons such as the Kastmaster or Pixie. Once they are on the salmon redds, it is time to switch to salmon egg imitations. In this situation, fly tackle can be used to great effect. You can also try egg sucking leeches.
The author's brilliantly colored Dolly Varden caught on an egg fly in Alaska
Large Dolly in spawning colors
Dolly Varden Baits
I have never fished for them with bait, but I imagine that, where legal, salmon eggs would be deadly.
Where to Catch Big Dolly Varden
The biggest Dollys are caught in the northern part of Alaska, and the world record was caught above the Arctic Circle on the Wulik River.
On the high end, you would have a hard time finding a better place than these guys: www.fishasl.com
Some of the Dollys pictured on this page were caught in the Aniak River in Alaska. This lodge is a great place to target Dollys: www.aniakriverlodge.com.
I have never fished for them with bait, but I imagine that, where legal, salmon eggs would be deadly.
Where to Catch Big Dolly Varden
The biggest Dollys are caught in the northern part of Alaska, and the world record was caught above the Arctic Circle on the Wulik River.
On the high end, you would have a hard time finding a better place than these guys: www.fishasl.com
Some of the Dollys pictured on this page were caught in the Aniak River in Alaska. This lodge is a great place to target Dollys: www.aniakriverlodge.com.
A good-sized Dolly Varden just starting to get the spawning coloration
A nice Gertrude Creek, Alaska Dolly
A nice looking Dolly caught on the Aniak River, Alaska