Dolly Varden Trout 



In Montana this charr is called salmon trout, in Idaho it is 

 the bull trout, and elsewhere it is charr, western charr, Oregon 

 charr, or Dolly Varden trout, the last being one of the few book 

 names of fishes which have come into general use. 



This interesting trout is one of the best known species in the 

 West. It reaches a length of 2 to 3 feet, and a weight of 5 to 

 12 pounds. An example 26 inches long weighed 5 pounds and i 

 ounce. Like its eastern relative it is a voracious fish, feeding 

 freely upon whatever offers, and especially fond of minnows, of 

 which it devours great numbers. At Lake Pend d'Oreille, where 

 the bull trout is an abundant and popular game-fish, we have 

 found 2 species of minnows and one miller's thumb all in the 

 stomach of one fish. 



It has been our pleasure to fish for the Dolly Varden trout in 

 many different waters, among which we recall with particular 

 satisfaction the Pend d'Oreille River from the Great Northern Rail- 

 road to the international boundary, Lake Pend d'Oreille at Hope 

 and Sand Point, the Redfish Lakes and Upper Salmon River, high 

 among the Sawtooth Mountains of Idaho, and in a little stream 

 near Unalaska, in which dwells a dwarfed Dolly Varden of unusual 

 beauty. During July and August, as well as in early spring, it 

 may be caught in any of these waters. In the smaller lakes it 

 is most abundant about the mouths of the inlets, but the best 

 fishing is usually in the streams, as the fish there will rise to the 

 fly more readily, and are usually more gamy. Anything will serve 

 as a lure artificial fly, grasshopper or any other insect of fair 

 size, small minnow, a piece of fish or other meat, salmon eggs, 

 trolling spoon or frog, and even the bright coloured leaves of the 

 painted cup or other flower. 



The gameness of the Dolly Varden trout varies greatly with 

 the character of the water and the season, just as with any other 

 game-fish. Those taken in lakes are apt to be sluggish, but when 

 taken in cold streams, with a good, strong, steady current, or in 

 the rapids where the water tumbles and boils, then the Dolly 

 Varden displays the superior game qualities which show its kinship 

 with its eastern and better known congener. 



Head ^\ to 3^ ; depth 4* to 6; eye 6 to 7; snout 3 to 4; 

 maxillary if to 3; D. n; A. 9; scales 39-240-36; pyloric caeca 

 large, 45 to 50; gillrakers about 8+12. Body rather slender, the 



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