Vancouver Island Dolly Varden

[paflyrod]

Hi All,
New to the board.
I plan on visiting Van Isl later this year to catch Dolly Varden on the fly. Can anyone give me a little more info on some patterns or river sections to catch Dollies? Gathering info has been extremely difficult so any info would be GREATLY appreciated. I am trying to catch every native Trout/Char/Salmon in their native range in North America and the Dolly Varden is next on my list.
I have gathered small bits of info here and there, but looking for something a little more concrete.
Thanks all!
-Rich

[bronjuan]

if you want bulls, I'd stay on the mainland and try the upper pitt river.

[SalaR]

Hi Rich..
A good pursuit for sure..Island Dollies are true Sea Run fish..their range was at one time covering the entire Coastal areas,however,theri are only remnant stocks along the southern coastal range. But,along the west coast of the Island are some good numbers ,especially above Nootka Island..there are also good accessable numbers of Dolly Varden north of Campbell River along all the coastal areas. Easy access to the Eve estuary will produce some 18" fish on Dry flies..but these fish do like minnow patterns..Island dollies,unless land locked are typically no larger than 3 lbs...most in the 16-20 in. size..
Hope this helps..
You can contact us at the store for more details when the time comes and some patterns
C

Hi All,
New to the board.
I plan on visiting Van Isl later this year to catch Dolly Varden on the fly. Can anyone give me a little more info on some patterns or river sections to catch Dollies? Gathering info has been extremely difficult so any info would be GREATLY appreciated. I am trying to catch every native Trout/Char/Salmon in their native range in North America and the Dolly Varden is next on my list.
I have gathered small bits of info here and there, but looking for something a little more concrete.
Thanks all!
-Rich

[paflyrod]

YES thank you so much SalaR. What is the best may to get in contact with you? Email or phone? Thank YOU!
-Rich

[paflyrod]

Did I mention thank you . Info is extremely difficult to find on the "real" dollies.

[Stoney Creek]

Up in Port McNeill off the beach we were getting around 5 or 6 a day, mostly small ones, one around 5 pnds and a few in the 18-20 inch range.


They really liked my SC Minnow pattern.

[woolybugger]

Up in Port McNeill off the beach we were getting around 5 or 6 a day, mostly small ones, one around 5 pnds and a few in the 18-20 inch range.


They really liked my SC Minnow pattern.

Nice looking Dolly!
You should post picsof your sc Minnow pattern

[FlatFish]

correct me if im wrong, but i believe dollies and bulls are two different species with only suttle differences, head and body sape differ, bulls having a flatter head and dollies a rounder body, but colours more or less the same. im from van. and when i want bulls on the fly i usually head to squamish.

[FlatFish]

oh yeah, BIG rabbit leaches, double bunnys and minnows are my fave. buctails every once in a while.

[PG DAN]

correct me if im wrong, but i believe dollies and bulls are two different species with only suttle differences, head and body sape differ, bulls having a flatter head and dollies a rounder body, but colours more or less the same. im from van. and when i want bulls on the fly i usually head to squamish.

Correct they are two different species, and actually bulls are not to be found on Van. Island