Come late August at Alaska West, the Dolly Varden (and/or Arctic Char – it’s confusing) in our rivers get their spawning colors. This time of year, we think they’re just about the prettiest fish around.
Late August is pretty fun – ‘clowned up’ dollies like the one above are a nice addition to the already stellar lineup of countless silvers and beautiful big rainbows. If you’d like for us to tell you all about it, drop us a line. If not, enjoy a cool photo or a really pretty fish!
I bet you seldom catch Arctic char in your Alaska rivers. For the most part, they would be confined to the lakes – Arolik and Pegati – and the upper portions of the rivers in that vicinity. It’s unlikely (but not impossible) that you’ll catch Arctic char in the mid-to-lower stretches of the rivers that you commonly reach by jet boat. Remember, Arctic char in Western Alaska are not anadramous.
Thats a Dolly not a Arctic Char . Char spawn in the late spring
Greetings from Miami, Florida!
About the Dolly/Arctic Char, I may not be an ichthyologist, but it is quite aparent to me that the Dolly Varden, Arctic Char and the Bull Trout are all variations of the same species of Char. Clear lines are impossible to descern and just as the Dolly is anadromous in the Puget Sound, they are also landlocked in Alberta and tgo by the name of Bull trout. Arctic Char are the most colorful subspecies, reaching climax around Nunavut, Canada. These genetic mutations that come alive during spawning season are clearly visible in the coastal populations of Dolly Varden of Alaska as far south as the Kenai Peninsula. Inland forms display similar genetics. Distinguishing between Char and Dolly, Anadromous or Adfluvial is virtually impossible by sight alone, hence the beauty and mystery of nature! Whatever the case is, it is indeed a beautiful Alaskan fish. Would love to catch one!
Hasta Luego
Correction, as far south as Kodiak.
Thanks for the great input, Felipe!