The Chilkat Valley’s first Dolly Varden fishing derby kicked off last Friday and will run until June 15. The idea came about when Doug Olerud and Gabe Long heard from locals who were eager for the salmon to return.

“Our dolly fishing is some of the best in the state and not a lot of people recognize that,” Olerud said. He also wanted to find an event to encourage people to go outside and recreate with friends and family.

Thus far, Olerud said that most of the participants have been kids ages 5-10 who have been fishing at the Small Boat Harbor.

“I think it is really cool that we got these young kids that want to go out there.”

Three age groups can participate in the derby and weekly drawings: ages 5-10, ages 11-15, and age 16 and above.

Participants need to have a valid fishing license (if of age) and have purchased a derby ticket. Each participant can submit two photos of their dolly catch each day during the contest. A random prize drawing will be drawn blindly from the photos each week. Olerud said the random drawing is intended to prevent people from thinking they have to catch a large fish to win. “It should be less damaging to the population as well.”

In addition to the weekly drawing that will occur on Thursdays, Olerud said there will be an overall drawing at the end of the derby.

Olerud and Long said submitting photos instead of killing and weighing their catch will encourage “good catch and release techniques.”

Olerud stressed the importance of handling fish with wet hands to give them a better chance of survival.

“You can go out with the right equipment and have fun, you don’t have to just catch any fish,” he said.

Popular fishing spots during the derby include the boat harbor and at Chilkoot Lake. According to the derby rules, fish must be caught in either the Chilkat or Chilkoot river systems and in the saltwater north of Eldred Rock. This time of year the dollies are feeding on the salmon fry as they hatch. 

Olerud said that the best lures for this time of year are the Kastmaster, small pixie or Mepps Aliga.

The proceeds go to the Haines Sportsmen’s Association Scholarship Fund. Olerud hopes to have enough participation to make it an annual event. He said there have been around 15 tickets sold so far but estimates more will participate as weather changes.

“Haines is such a beautiful place, let’s get people out, the best way to protect it is that people use it.” he said.