The Dolly Varden species are often confused with trout but they are, in fact, a Char. The Char is a salmonid fish that are colored just the opposite of trout. These are darkly colored fish with brightly colored dots in reds, oranges, and yellows. Trout have darker spots. Dolly Varden also differ from Arctic Char in that the mouth of Dolly Varden are more hook-shaped like those of a salmon. These are wonderful sport fish that love to fight but they are quite a bit different than fighting a rainbow trout. If you hook a Dolly Varden, the fish will stay lower in the water near the bottom. They are crafty too so never let them gain slack on the line.
There are two types of Dolly Varden, the dwarfs and the regular. The dwarfs are smaller fish with a 3-6 inch body. The regular Dolly Varden can grow upwards of 24 inches in length and a trophy sized Dolly Varden weighs over 25 pounds.
Where to Find Dolly Vaden
The larger variety of Dolly Varden are found north of the Alaska Peninsula and into the interior sections of Alaska. The Kenai River is an excellent spot to find Dolly Varden but it is not the only spot. The intertidal zones of the rivers are often an excellent spot to find Dolly Varden. If you are in a section of river above the brackish water line, then look for the Dolly Varden along riffle zones, in medium to deep holes and runs of the river. The Dolly Varden are in the river for two reasons. One is to eat salmon roe and the other is to find their own spawning ground. Dolly Varden travel from freshwater to oceanic waters and back again to spawn. They differ from salmon in the fact that they can spawn multiple times in their life.
Fly Patterns For Dolly Varden
Dolly Varden are veracious eaters, but they can be picky about flies. The best choice is to follow the example of the river. Whatever the river is offering up for food is what you should mimic your fly pattern after. If the salmon are in the water then egg patterns work well. Flies like Unreal Eggs, or flies with beads are usually awesome choices for both Dolly Varden and Rainbow Trout. If you are fishing in the tidal zone consider flies that mimic minnows. The Clouser Minnow series are a good choice as well.
When setting the hook keep in mind that the mouth of Dolly Varden is very soft so don't set the hook too roughly, or you will lose the fish. If you are fishing in a catch and release area, never take the Dolly Varden from the water. Instead, remove the hook while the fish
Additional Info
View Dolly Varden Flies from Alaska Fly Fishing Goods
View Dolly Varden Flies from Bristol Bay Flies
Fly Fishing Quartz Creek for Dolly Varden
Excellent video on fishing for Dolly Varden by Alaska Sportsman's Lodge
Top Fishing Trips for Dolly Varden
Alaska Trophy Adventures Lodge
Alaska's Premier Fishing and Bear Viewing Lodge Since 1988 | Remote Fly-In Fishing Lodge on the Alagnak River
189 Reviews - TripAdvisor® Traveler Rating
Katmai Lodge
Ready for the Trip of a Lifetime at Our Remote Alaska Fishing Lodge? | Experience the Best Fishing in Alaska, Abundant Wildlife & Exceptional Service at Katmai Lodge
168 Reviews - TripAdvisor® Traveler Rating
Kodiak Island Resort
Remote, World-Class Sport-Fishing Lodge on Kodiak Island, Alaska | Experience Kodiak Island's outstanding fishing, magnificent scenery, abundant wildlife and our fishing lodge's four-star service!
138 Reviews - TripAdvisor® Traveler Rating
Salmon Catcher Fishing Lodge
Experience a fully guided fishing & adventure trip in one of the Kenai Peninsula’s premier fishing lodges offering outdoorsmen and families luxury accommodations in the finest handcrafted spruce log cabins
126 Reviews - TripAdvisor® Traveler Rating
Alaskan Fishing Adventures
Top Rated Alaska Fishing & Adventure Lodge | Something for Everyone - Perfect for Families, Couples, Groups or the Die-Hard Angler!
114 Reviews - TripAdvisor® Traveler Rating
Cooper Landing Fishing Guide
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a first-time angler interested in a fishing trip in Alaska, we are the Kenai River Guide Service for you.
113 Reviews - TripAdvisor® Traveler Rating
Alaska Fishing with Mark Glassmaker
Top-Rated Fishing Guides & Affordable Lodging Packages | Kenai River, Cook Inlet & Remote-Fly Out Fishing
110 Reviews - TripAdvisor® Traveler Rating
Salmon Falls Resort
Premier All-Inclusive Ketchikan Fishing & Adventure Lodge | Choose From Guided or Self-Guided Fishing and Customize with Adventure & Sightseeing Options
108 Reviews - TripAdvisor® Traveler Rating
Alaska FishOn! Charters
Affordable Kenai Peninsula Fishing & Lodging Packages | Kenai River, Kasilof River, Cook Inlet & Fly-In Fishing Options
71 Reviews - TripAdvisor® Traveler Rating
FishHound Expeditions
Guided Single Day & Overnight Fly-Fishing Trips on some of Alaskas' Best Rivers | Choose From Single Day Float, Wade or Heli-Fishing & Multi Day Remote Guided Float Fishing Trips
64 Reviews - TripAdvisor® Traveler Rating
Kenai Drift Anglers
At Kenai Drift Anglers, we are dedicated to providing the best Alaska fishing experience possible
52 Reviews - TripAdvisor® Traveler Rating
Island Point Lodge
Self-Guided Fishing on Alaska's Inside Passage | Fishing for Salmon, Halibut, Trout, Steelhead & More | Packages Include Fishing Boats & Gear, Lodging & Meals
29 Reviews - TripAdvisor® Traveler Rating
Frontier River Guides
5 Reviews - TripAdvisor® Traveler Rating
Island Wings Air Service Fly-Out Fishing Tours
776 Reviews - TripAdvisor® Traveler Rating
Miller's Landing
695 Reviews - TripAdvisor® Traveler Rating
Kenai River Drifters Lodge
263 Reviews - TripAdvisor® Traveler Rating
Alaska Kenai Fishing for Fun
242 Reviews - TripAdvisor® Traveler Rating
Kenai River Trout Anglers
238 Reviews - TripAdvisor® Traveler Rating
Alaska River Adventures
222 Reviews - TripAdvisor® Traveler Rating
Tower Rock Lodge
207 Reviews - TripAdvisor® Traveler Rating
Five Dogs Fishing
190 Reviews - TripAdvisor® Traveler Rating
Kenai River Float-n-Fish
181 Reviews - TripAdvisor® Traveler Rating
Gwin's Lodge
160 Reviews - TripAdvisor® Traveler Rating
Talon Air Service Fly-In Fishing Trips
157 Reviews - TripAdvisor® Traveler Rating
Phantom Tri-River Charters
154 Reviews - TripAdvisor® Traveler Rating
Alaska Heavenly Lodge
148 Reviews - TripAdvisor® Traveler Rating
Alaska Rivers Company
148 Reviews - TripAdvisor® Traveler Rating
Alaskan Widespread Fishing Adventures
126 Reviews - TripAdvisor® Traveler Rating
Alaska Fishing & Lodging
118 Reviews - TripAdvisor® Traveler Rating
Redoubt Mountain Lodge
117 Reviews - TripAdvisor® Traveler Rating