The chars, widely represented throughout the Bristol Bay region, have become beloved quarries for Crystal Creek anglers. Dolly varden char and Arctic char populate the sub-arctic waters accessible from the lodge, and CCL anglers regularly encounter them in remarkable numbers. Some of our preferred streams offer 100-fish days, and anglers can reel in dozens of char ranging from 18 to 28 inches during a single day of fishing. However, char offer our guests more than just a high-volume angling opportunity; they symbolize the far north and are a defining element of the Alaska fishing experience.

By nature, chars are aggressive, strong, and colorful fish that gather in the region’s smaller streams. Similar to their cousin, the brook trout, Arctic char and dolly varden eagerly take the bait and put up a strong fight, but it’s their physical appearance that truly distinguishes them. Chars display a deep olive color that fades to silver along the flanks. They have distinctive whitish, yellow, or orange/brown spots that become more pronounced towards the belly, and the leading edge of their fin margins is stark white. The overall coloration of chars varies based on predominant feed and the time of year, although dolly varden tend to be lighter and more silvered than Arctic char. As the northern autumn approaches, both species acquire remarkable spawning colors, becoming the most stunning of Alaska’s game fish. Throughout the season, chars are truly a sight to behold.

Alaska Arctic CharBoth Arctic char and dolly varden eat a range of insects, baitfish, crustaceans, and indeed smaller char. Their eclectic tastes allow anglers to pursue them across the disciplines, though at CCL the char fishing program hinges on light-tackle fly fishing. Dry fly fishing for dolly varden is excellent during the first half of the Crystal Creek season. They can be caught alongside some large grayling (up to 20 inches) in several streams near the lodge. The Arctic char is the larger of the two represented char species. They are colorful specimens topping 30 inches and can be targeted by sight fishing in the latter half of the season. Generally, char fishing is a walk-and-wade game through a beautiful, remote country, where bears and eagles are the only other anglers on the water. Char water is often quite shallow, gravel-bottomed, and easily waded. When dry fly fishing turns off, streamers and egg patterns round out the char angler’s quiver, and fly rods in the 6-8 wt. range is the norm. That said, a heavy char will make a believer of any 6 wt. angler and appropriate reels are necessary for managing the bigger specimens.

Memories are made at Crystal Creek Lodge, but a day or more of char fishing will give those memories color. Take advantage of CCL’s unique access to these remarkable fish, and the untrammeled places in which they live.

Dan, for as long as I live I will never forget that giant, 35-inch orange char that we saw together and I caught. Thank you for a most memorable moment of a all-together memorable trip.

T. Scott
Newfields, NH