Clearwater Dolley

[ouchfoss]

Being that yesterday was father's day I figured Id go out and have fun with some trout fishing on the Clearwater in Jefferson county. Its usually a good river for some cutthroat fishing but every once in a while you'll get a summer run stealhead or in a few cases, dolley varden. I think this is 4th dolley Ive ever caught on the Clearwater so I wasnt expecting it at all. Anyhow, a very nice fish to fight on 6 lb test on an ultralight. Wasnt really long but was probably the fattest dolley I have ever caught. I figure about 4 lbs.

[bucklucky]

Sweet! Had no Idea they came up our rivers!

[ouchfoss]

There is lots of them in all the rivers around here ( Queets, Quinault, Hoh) but I was told they only really run in glacier fed rivers which is why you never really catch them in the Clearwater. We have actually been getting more dolleys than cutthroat trolling on Lake Quinault lately.

[Button Nubbs]

Are they dollies, or bull trout?

[gaddy]

nice!! bet that was a blast on 6# & ultralite. thats the way i like to fish.

[Wanttohuntmore]

What did it take?  I've always wanted to go hook a few on flies, but never really targeted them.

[carpsniperg2]

Very nice looking fish!

[ouchfoss]

What did it take?  I've always wanted to go hook a few on flies, but never really targeted them.

It was a 1/8 oz green rooster tail with brass blade.
I would bet you could kill them on Lake Quinault with flies. Last couple times we went trolling we saw them and the cutthroat hitting flies non stop in the shallows along the lake. We cut open the stomachs on 7 dolleys we got the other night and they were all stuffed full with small black flies.

[Fishnclifff]

Are they dollies, or bull trout?

same

[carpsniperg2]

Are they dollies, or bull trout?

same

I think that was the joke

[dreamunelk]

Quinault?  Bulltrout & Dollies!