Dolly Varden

Valdez, Alaska, offers a unique opportunity to target Dolly Varden in both saltwater and brackish environments. The key to success lies in understanding their seasonal movements related to forage. Early season, as the ice recedes, focus on estuaries and river mouths where they'll be feeding on out-migrating salmon fry. As summer progresses, they'll move further up rivers and streams to feed on salmon eggs and insects. For saltwater fishing, try casting small spoons or spinners near rocky shorelines and points where Dolly Varden ambush prey. A local tip: the Valdez Duck Flats area can be productive, but be mindful of tidal fluctuations and soft mud. Access is generally good via boat launches and roadside pull-offs along the Richardson Highway. These Dollies are aggressive feeders, but adjust your depth and retrieve speed based on water temperature and current; they tend to hold in deeper, cooler pockets during the warmest parts of the day.