We at Deneki Outdoors wanted to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. When I think of a fish that represents the Christmas spirit, a Dolly Varden jumps into my mind. These fish proudly get dressed up in Christmas colors as early as August and spread joy to anglers throughout AlaskaWest. There is…
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Dolly Varden
Why the Kanektok River is so special?
One cannot talk about top fishing lodges in Alaska without mentioning Alaska West. Admittedly we take a little bit of credit for, in our opinion, the best Tent Camp lodge in the state but we also know to give credit where credit is due. The main reason Alaska West is so special is because of…
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Target Species // The Dolly Varden
The Dolly Varden is type of salmonid that is native to the Pacific Ocean in both North America and Asia. What very well could be the most beautiful fish on the planet, Dollies live in cold water tributaries of the North Pacific. This is a fish who’s nomenclature constantly sparks debate. Technically a Char, Dolly’s…
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Merry Christmas from your friends at Deneki!
Dollies sure do have some Christmas spirit! Love the clowned up red and green color combination but my favorite part has to be the sharp black and white contrast on their fins. Hard to imagine a more beautiful fish. We at Deneki wish you a safe and happy holiday season. May the holidays bring happiness and…
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George Cook on the Importance of ‘Engagement Range’ When Swinging Flies
Our good friend and legendary sales rep for some of the most respected brands in the biz, George Cook, has been at the forefront of modern spey fishing since the beginning. Simply put, he’s been swinging flies for steelhead, sea-run browns, resident trout, and everything in-between long before it was cool. So, when he’s willing…
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Now, That’s a Dolly
At Alaska West, we’re lucky to experience a run of anadramous (sea-run) dolly varden that’s nothing shy of remarkable. Towards the back half of our season, they undergo a stunning change in appearance from the bright silver garb of their time at sea to their fall spawning colors of fluorescent orange, red, yellow, and green….
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Fall Colors
Fall starts early in Western Alaska, and while the first official day of fall might not be for a few more weeks, our dollies might say otherwise. Each season, our huge run of chrome, anadromous, dolly varden enter our river in early-mid july. However, as fall spawners, they undergo a massive transformation to their spawning…
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Clown Sighting at Alaska West
Because not all clown sightings are creepy.. At least not in our neck of the woods. More on Dolly Varden All About Dolly Varden Chrome Dollies Makeshift Dolly Skaters
Nice Fish, Carolyn
Today we present you with nothing more than a photo of Deneki family member, Carolyn Settlemire, and guide, Chris Gong with a stunning char caught during the last week of our season at Rapids Camp Lodge. Nice work team. What a fish! More on Dollies/Char Dolly World Dolly Varden and Arctic Char at Alaska West…
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Makeshift Dolly Skaters
Dolly varden are a fan favorite during the back half of our season at Alaska West. Big, vibrantly colored, aggressive fish? What’s not to love? Towards the end of our season, dollies stack up in staggering numbers behind spawning salmon to benefit from the gravy train of fresh salmon eggs tumbling down river. More than any…
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