River Fishing for Dolly Varden & Bull Trout

By Dave Brown

During the winter month’s anglers are often limited in the number of species you can catch. In my area the Salmon are pretty much finished by December and Steelhead don’t start appearing in better numbers until March. I like to focus my attention on Dolly Varden and Bull Trout. We’re lucky to have such a good fishery for these two fish in large part thanks to catch and release regulations.

One of the most effective methods I have found for fishing these two species is using Gibbs Croc spoon. I find that it best resembles a small Salmon fry or smaller fish they prey on. I generally fish two sizes of Croc a 3/16 oz and 3/8 oz. I prefer the smaller sizes when the water is low and clear. I also will use smaller spoons if I know what the fish are feeding on. Chum or Pink fry tend to be small so I will reduce my spoon accordingly. As far a color my favorites are Brass Fire Wing, Fire Orange/Black Wing, Blue Hex, Nickel Fire Wing, and Silver Hex.

When fishing these Crocs I like to start at the top of the run. Begin by casting across and slightly upstream of where you’re standing. When the spoon hits the water retrieve until you feel tension in the line, usually about three or four cranks of the reel. Then try to mend your line upstream similar to what a fly fisher would do to take the bow out of the line. This allows the spoon to drift more naturally in the water and not be swept to quickly. You want to fish the spoon as close to the bottom as you can with out getting stuck. I try and allow it to swing downstream without retrieving adding the odd mend if I feel the line is being swept to quickly. Once I feel the Croc start to tick the bottom I start enough of a retrieve to just keep it from snagging. You should feel the action of the spoon as you retrieve. During the last quarter of the swing is where I find you will get most of your strikes. Sometimes the fish will hit it hard and pretty much hook themselves. Other times you just feel the line tighten or a light bump. This is the key. Most angler miss these strikes so when in doubt set the hook.

Dollies or Bull Trout will often follow your lure to the beach. I find I can provoke a strike by stopping my retrieve if I see one following. Polarized fishing glasses help with this. Also try doing a stop start retrieve if you find that you don’t get a hit after going through the hole the first time. Don’t be afraid to mix it up.

These are just a few tips that work for me. You’ll find by getting out there and trying it you’ll develop your own tricks and favorite Croc’s.