May 05, 2007 - Chilkat River Dolly Varden Report, Haines, Alaska

Driving through the Haines pass first thing in the morning with the three D’s (Derek, Derek and Dennis), we had no idea what to expect for weather. A foot of snow on the road was a bit much for the mini-van. We pushed our way through and meandered down into the Alaskan Cathedral Forest. My senses stirring as we entered another eco-system. Where everything in Alaska is really large.

A healthy Dolly, caught on a bead-head pattern.

I was a bad boy and did all of my spring prep on the 4.5 hour drive to Haines. I rigged up my last leader on my reel as we pulled over to the side of the road just down river of Klukwan. Derek always gets ready way faster than I, it was going to be a race (for me) to pull those waders on, pack those fishing vests packs and start wading to the money stretch. Maybe its age, experience or cool blue nerves, he beat me again. Thankfully, the rookie (the other Derek) was stumbling with all his gear and came a distant third. Like soldiers in a troop we rallied together and waded to the spot where the Dolly Varden lie. 

With an undecided sky above we has prepared for rain, snow, sun and wind. With reports that the fish were around, we prepared for action. After three hours, not a bite, bump or snag. Good time to regroup and have that bacon and eggs and the outdoor coffee. A starbucks patio has nothing on this backdrop. Eagles abound, moose droppings and signs everywhere, and that damp wet Alaskan rainforest.

We decided to try spot number two, just upriver of Klukwan. We trekked about two kilometers from the road to our spot. A nice wide stretch with an underwater shelf squeezing out a maximum depth of about eight feet. Wading out well onto the shelf, up to my stomach and until the mud begins to soften under my feet, I begin to cast. I am using a 6 weight rod with a sinking line, fishing fry patterns on a wet fly swing. . I get a soft hit and a nice 1-2 pound Dolly.

I catch a few more and move to a couple of bug patterns. A standard Woolly Bugger, Gold-bead head nymphs, and a Bitch Creek pattern...hit, hit, hit.  The fishing is great and they are taking all fly’s with the same presentation. The rookie lands a few with some silver mepps, spoons and daiwa fry patterns (recommended by Glen at Sports North).

A nice Chilkat River, Haines Alaska, Dolly. They tended to all be a bit on the bigger side this year.

All in all I am having some incredible luck, I think my presentation is patience is making the difference. I am letting that swing-come full circle and the fly drop to about a foot from the bottom, usually within the first 6-8 inches of my strip, I’ve got one on. It could also be that I was trying to “zen out” and get into the rythm by fishing with my iPod. I would pick a great fishing song (not just any song!) and let the water, line and fly do its job. I can tell you that over the two days of fishing anything from G.Love and the Special Sauce outfished Dave Matthews, Weezer, Latin Music, Blink 182 or anything else over the two days. Other than looking like a geek, and probably groovin’ in the river, I would highly recommend one earplug in for the music and the other out for talking to buddies, hearing bears or fish takes.

As I have mentioned in an earlier post, the water is high and dirty already. Could be a strange year for the Kat.

How can you not be amazed at this fishing back-drop. Everything is large in Alaska.

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