20-pound, 14-ounce.
The world record is a 20-pound, 14-ounce dolly taken from Alaska’s Wulik River in 2001.
Where does Dolly Varden come from?
Range and Habitat
The Dolly Varden is one of the most widely-distributed salmonids in Alaska. It occurs throughout the coastal areas of the state from Southeast Alaska across the Gulf of Alaska and the Bering Sea into the Beaufort Sea to the Mackenzie River in northern Canada.
What kind of fish is a Dolly Varden?
The Arctic char is a lake (lacustrine) species, which has anadromous forms present in many areas. Anadromous Arctic char generally spawn and overwinter in lakes, then move to sea in summer to feed. Dolly Varden were first described by Johann Walbaum in 1792 from Kamchatka, Russia.
What fish is called a dolly?
The Dolly Varden trout (Salvelinus malma) is a species of salmonid fish native to cold-water tributaries of the Pacific Ocean in Asia and North America.
How do you get Dolly Varden in Alaska?
During the peak salmon run, the best bait to use is salmon roe or flies/lures that imitate salmon roe. In late spring and early summer (when the winter has been harsh) the primary diet of Dolly Varden is small juvenile fish such as smolt salmon and trout. Lures, which flash or imitate small fish, work well.
Can you eat Dolly Varden?
A nice Alaska Dolly Varden, suitable for both catch and release and catch and keep and eat.
How long do Dolly Varden live?
They are now recognized for their own beauty and value as a native sport fish. In Alaska they can live to be 12 years of age. The Dolly Varden is the only fish in B.C. with a first and last name
How did Dolly Varden get its name?
The name Dolly Varden actually refers to a colorful cloth of “pink pattern of good looks” that was milled for dressmaking in the late 19th century. The cloth itself was named after Dolly Varden, the character who wore brightly colored dresses in the Charles Dicken’s 1841 novel, Barnaby Rudge.
Do Dolly Varden have teeth?
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.
What is the world record bull trout?
32 pounds
Bull Trout: 32 pounds
The world all-tackle record is held by N. Higgins, with a 32-pound fish caught Oct. 27, 1949 in Idaho’s Lake Pend Oreille. That fish was 40.50 inches long with a 30-inch girth.
How do you fly fish Dolly Varden?
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.
How do I identify Dolly Varden?
In general, dollies have more spots and a darker background color, a less forked tail, and a fatter caudal peduncle. In males, the Arctic char will develop a less pronounced kype than a Dolly. To verify identification, it is necessary to count gill rakers, fin rays and pyloric caeca (parts of the intestines).
Are Dolly Varden and bull trout the same thing?
The Dolly Varden and bull trout can generally be distinguished by their size and habitat. The Dolly Varden is usually a coastal species whereas the larger bull trout is found inland in large, cold rivers and lakes draining high, mountainous areas.
What is a buzz bomb lure?
Buzz Bombs are rather flat and thin, with tapered flukes that catch water and create drag as the lure falls, causing it to spin with the vibrating “buzz” for which it is named. They will catch fish when jigged vertically, but a slowly dropping jig won’t reach great depths without bellying out and going horizontal.
Are bull trout a char?
The bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) and Dolly Varden (Salvelinus malma) are part of the subgroup of the salmonid family known as char. Although they are two distinct species, they are often grouped together due to their very similar characteristics.
What is the difference between arctic char and Dolly Varden?
Arctic char have more gill rakers (bony projections on the gill arches) and more pyloric caeca (finger-like projections on the stomach) than Dolly Varden.
What is the best eating fish in Alaska?
What’s the Best Eating Fish in Alaska?
- Sablefish – Also called black cod, this is a sweet, delicate fish that is often found in Alaskan restaurants.
- Lingcod – What can I tell you about lingcod other than it’s ridiculously good.
- Rockfish – This one is confusing.
- Northern Pike – This is another freshwater fish.
- Drumroll….
Can you eat Dolly Varden trout?
The Dolly Varden can be grilled, broiled, or smoked too. It’s hard to ruin a fish like this, so get creative and let us know how YOU enjoy Dolly Varden trout.
What do bull trout taste like?
They are technically trout, but they behave like salmon. They also taste like mild salmon. The flesh has a medium flakiness. It also has an orange to pink color.
What family is the Dolly Varden?
Species information
Dolly Varden char belongs to the family of salmon- and trout-like fishes. Two subspecies of Dolly Varden are recognized in Canada, the southern form (“Dolly Varden (Pacific populations)”) and the northern form (“Dolly Varden (Western Arctic populations)”).
Are Dolly Varden and brook trout the same?
I just found out today that the fish we call a Dolly Varden is a relative of the Eastern Brook Trout. I read an article in the Lincoln Maine newspaper about a resident that came to Alaska to fish. In this article they said that the fish easterners call a Brook Trout, Alaskans call a Dolly.