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Dolly Varden, like the Rainbow, is a member of the family 'Salmonidae.' They are not to be confused with their close cousin, the Arctic Char. Two types of Dollies are prevalent throughout much of Alaska’s streams and lakes, anadromous and freshwater. The freshwater type, especially in the far north, can reach sizes of 12 pounds or more. However, most are generally smaller, but still put up a lively fight.
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Silvery sides, dark tops, white bellies Black spots or speckle on sides
Varies greatly between anadromous and fresh water populations
1 - 6 lbs, 8 - 22 inches, up to 12+ lbs
Cast and retrieve, bait
Light-action spinning and fly rods
Freshwater type found from north slope to southern Interior Anadromous found from Aleutians to Southeast
Year-round, peak May to October
Excellent, pink meat
Dolly Varden belongs are members of the char family. They are distinguished from most trout and salmon due to their light spots on their sides, which are usually black spotted or speckled. The appearance of the Dolly, like many fish, can vary with size, locality and habitat. In saltwater, the back, upper head and upper sides are dark blue and the sides are silvery to white. In freshwater, the back and upper sides are olive green to brown, the sides a paler color. In Alaska the underside is usually white to dusky.
When spawning, the sides are a bright red and males, especially sea run fish, turn red on the ventral surface and tip of the snout. The lower jaw, operculum and parts of the head are black and the sides turn olive brown. The spots on the dorsal surface become more vivid, the pectoral and anal fins are red-black with a white leading edge, the snout thickens and the lower jaw turns up. The females change less than the males.
On the Alaska Peninsula the natives call it 'Giigaq'. The Dolly is named after a character from the novel 'Barnaby Rudge' by Charles Dickens who's clothes were of a brightly shear cloth which is now also known as Dolly Varden.
Dollies can be found in the deep runs and pools of creeks and rivers, in lakes and the sea, or very clean mountain streams. Two types of Dollies occur throughout Alaska’s coastal and freshwaters, anadromous and freshwater. The freshwater, northern type ranges from the drainages of the Brooks Range to the southern limits of the Interior. The southern, anadromous type stretches from the western tip of the Aleutian Chain and throughout Southeast Alaska to the Canadian border. However, the regions occupied by each type of Dolly do intermingle. Those that are found in lakes are of the freshwater variety, some populations may even be non-migratory or simply landlocked.
After hatching, young Dollies first prey on small insects and small crustaceans. Adults living in streams commonly eat insects, annelids, eggs, snails, clams and other small fishes. In the ocean, a Dolly primarily eats other fish, such as smelt, herring, sand lance, sculpins, flounders and cods. However, they will still feed on crustaceans and invertebrates depending on availability of fish.
Dollies are a fun fish to catch, especially on really light tackle. Small spinning lures, streamer flies, salmon eggs and dry flies work well in streams and lakes. When they are hungry, they are voracious and will hit a variety of tackle. Even live bait and meat will land Dollies when conditions are right. In south-central Alaska I once caught a dozen Dollies at the edge of a frozen lake using a piece of string and an aluminum O-Ring off my backpack (neatly converted to a hook with the Leatherman tool), and pieces of corn. Pan-fry them like you would any other trout; add some vegetables and spices and they are delicious!
Anadromous fish may spend two to three years at sea, evidently near shore, migrating upstream to spawn. The young remain in streams two to three years and feed on insects, leeches, snails and salmon eggs before entering brackish water to feed on insects, fishes, and other invertebrates. They usually migrate into saltwater during May or June.
Adults enter lakes and rivers in August and October and return to spawn in the exact same place they hatched. Females select a site and dig a redd while the male continues to court her and drive away intruding males. Upon completion of the redd, both drop into it and release eggs and sperm. This may be repeated several times before the eggs (anywhere between 600 to 10,000) are covered by the female who swims along the edge of the redd, sweeping small pebbles into it with her tail and anal fin. Males and females don’t always die after spawning. Evidence suggests that almost half of those that have spawned will live to do so at least once more in their lifetime. After spawning, many Dollies will winter in freshwater lakes. Anadromous Dollies rarely live to be older than eight years old.
Freshwater Dollies can live to be as old as 16 and most spend their lives in streams or lakes. There has been less research on the life history of freshwater Dollies.
Wild Alaska Sport Fishing and Cruises
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