Angler's Alibi
  • Home
  • Where We Fish
    • The Alagnak River
    • Fly-Out Fishing
    • The Nushagak River
  • The Fish
    • Rainbow Trout
    • King Salmon
    • Silver Salmon
    • Sockeye Salmon
    • Chum Salmon
    • Pink Salmon
    • Arctic Char
    • Arctic Grayling
  • The Experience
    • World Class Fly Fishing
    • Fly Fishing Guides
    • Accommodations
    • Dining With Angler's Alibi
    • A Day In the Life
    • Angler's Alibi History
  • Reservations
    • 2023 Rates
    • 2023 Season Dates
    • What to Wear
    • Travel Guide
  • Contact Us
  • 2023 Rates
  • 2023 Season Dates

The Case for Dolly Varden

7/26/2017

 
​Dolly Varden must be considered one of the most beautiful fish in Alaska. They look like a close cousin to the Brook trout in the lower 48. Like the Brook trout, they appear to be hand painted by someone and at times take on the look of a circus clown with all their bright colors. The Dolly Varden are also quite numerous in many streams in Alaska, making them a top species to target while on a fishing trip to this amazing state.
Beautiful Dolly Varden caught with Angler’s Alibi
Beautiful Dolly Varden caught with Angler’s Alibi
We target these magnificent sport fish is a few streams where catching under 40 of them in a day would be considered an off day. They tend to school up in huge numbers when the salmon are spawning and can be such a blast to catch. They fight much like a trout, and will jump, run, and twist their way off your hook as hard as they can. When fishing behind spawning salmon, the Dolly Varden can really be a blast and not too picky with the presentation or egg imitation you choose.

One thing that many anglers do not know about this great fish is their desire to hit a swing fly called a gurgler. Alaska signature flies ties some great foam over flies in orange and red that are just perfect for these Char. The amount of fish you catch on top-water patterns will not be as high as fishing sub surface patterns, but the sight of a 26” chasing down a skated fly is really hard to beat!

If you are in an area that allows you to harvest one, they make a great shore lunch too! All it takes is some butter, foil, salt and pepper. Simply gut the fish, spread butter in the cavity, and add some salt and pepper. Wrap up in the foil and put in the coals of a small fire. In a short while, the fish is ready and the meat will fall off the bones. A true delight for a shore lunch!

These fish hold a special place in my heart. They are beautiful, good fighters, and more than willing to take a fly. How could you not put these fish on a top list for fish in Alaska?

About the Author

John Perry with a Rainbow Trout
​John Perry grew up in Michigan on an island called Grosse Ile, in the mouth of the Detroit River and Lake Erie. It was here, surrounded by great fishing and waterfowl hunting that John developed a passion for the outdoors. John moved to Colorado to chase trout in the summers and ski patrol in the winters. John had the privilege to start guiding for Angler’s Alibi with his fly fishing mentor TR Rafferty the second year it was in business. He left a head guide job in Colorado to pursue bigger and better fish.

Comments are closed.

    Author

    The primary contributor, John Perry, is the owner and manager of the lodge.  He'll offer fishing summaries and tips too...check back or sign up for the email news to get updates when posted.

    Archives

    October 2022
    August 2022
    November 2021
    March 2021
    November 2020
    October 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    August 2019
    February 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    April 2018
    January 2018
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    April 2017
    February 2015
    October 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    September 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    January 2013
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012

    Categories

    All
    Alagnak River
    Alaska Fishing Info
    Alaska Fly Fishing
    Alaska Fly Out Fishing
    Alaska Fly Patterns
    Camp Updates
    Chum Salmon
    Family Fishing
    Fishing Reports
    General Alaska Info
    King Salmon
    Nushagak River King Camp
    Pink Salmon
    Rainbow Trout
    Salmon Fishing
    Season Summary
    Silver Salmon
    Sockeye Salmon
    Testimonials

    RSS Feed


Stay up to date on news, fishing reports & more from Angler's Alibi Fishing Lodge.

  • TripAdvisor
More News & Info
​Blog
Photos
Videos
Lodge History

Copyright Angler's Alibi 2019  - All Rights Reserved

Stay up to date on news, fishing reports & more from Angler's Alibi Fishing Lodge.


No Thanks, I'm Not Interested.
  • Home
  • Where We Fish
    • The Alagnak River
    • Fly-Out Fishing
    • The Nushagak River
  • The Fish
    • Rainbow Trout
    • King Salmon
    • Silver Salmon
    • Sockeye Salmon
    • Chum Salmon
    • Pink Salmon
    • Arctic Char
    • Arctic Grayling
  • The Experience
    • World Class Fly Fishing
    • Fly Fishing Guides
    • Accommodations
    • Dining With Angler's Alibi
    • A Day In the Life
    • Angler's Alibi History
  • Reservations
    • 2023 Rates
    • 2023 Season Dates
    • What to Wear
    • Travel Guide
  • Contact Us
  • 2023 Rates
  • 2023 Season Dates