Ain’t that the truth!?! Young, sweet Hanna of Alaska/Texas/Minnesota (her Papa having served our great country in the military and just retiring officially in a few days) just caught a beauty of a Dolly Varden off our floating dock on the Kenai River in beautiful sunshine and near 70 degree temps. Our chilly 47 degree river, which gives so generously to us all, offered up this just “right sized” 15 15/16″ Dolly for her to catch and feed her family this evening by campfire. Our Dollies have to be under 16″ and this one was just perfect! With the Alaska State Park Rangers floating by in the background, we all smiled knowing they couldn’t argue this one with us for sure! Hanna had just re-baited her lure with some freshly cured King Salmon eggs when she slid her lure into the downstream current and got a bite right off, but she pulled up and it was gone. Seeing her eggs still on the hook she lowered it again and WHAM this one hit and stuck good (caught deep in the jaw requiring minor underwater surgery, so it was a good thing it was a keeper, eh)! Way to go Hanna, your done for the day on Dolly Varden, but I see a Rainbow (or King Salmon) in your future. Keep fishing, keep smiling, and enjoy the sunshine here on the Kenai River!
Sweet Sixteen & Sunshine Kissed!
About the Author: The Alaska Dream
Our family of six has been living the Alaska Dream on the world famous Kenai River for the past 15+ years, enjoying the bounty of the land & sea in everything we do! All of our children were born in Alaska, and both of us have lived here for 30+ years. We love sharing the Alaska Dream with visitors from around the corner and around the world and we especially love to help families and children catch their 1st salmon, halibut or rainbow trout and learn how to care for it all the way through the process of cooking it in delicious gourmet Alaska fashion. Enjoy reading our Alaska Fishing Report, Cooking Alaska Fish & Game, Alaska Photo of the Week and other sections of our website The Alaska Dream and we hope to have the chance to help you experience YOUR Alaska Dream someday too!
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