Besides King Salmon or massive rainbow trout, another fish comes to mind when you think of Alaska: the Arctic Char. They are known for their hooked lower jaw and stunning red bellies that males develop during spawning. Calling the Arctic Circle home, these members of the salmon family are closely related to another legendary Alaskan fish, the Dolly Varden. These fish have a massive range and can be found throughout the Arctic Circle. This is because about 12,000 years ago, when the glaciers began to melt, they broke free of the lakes they called home and spread throughout the region. Even today, a lot of this area is still challenging to access. However, Alaska’s rivers and lakes offer a unique opportunity to take a crack at these fish.
Finding cold water is essential
Being an Arctic fish, they thrive in the frigid waters of the north. Because of that, they call many of the lakes of Alaska home, especially in the Kenai Peninsula. Thanks to their adaptability to these conditions, some Arctic char have been known to live up to 20 years. Very little is known about them compared to other fish. However, at a certain point, they travel from the lake, where they spawned, into the headwaters and the ocean, where they feed on the salmon spawn at the different stages of that cycle. These movements usually occur between the spring and the fall When they move from freshwater to saltwater and vice versa. They can be found roaming the Lakes in the summer and winter months. During the summer, they seek refuge in the deep pockets of cool water when the ice freezes over the lakes. Char remain active under the ice, seeking out their next meal.
A perfect diet for fly fishing
They’re such a great species to fish because they have a varied diet. Growing to be large fish, they’re constantly searching for food to keep them growing. Their diet includes the beginning of their life and the winter zooplankton, aquatic insects, and small fish. The small fish might consist of salmon fry and Crustaceans. With this very different diet, they are a fly Fisherman’s dream species, allowing you to use a wired array of flies.
What you should have in your bag
Dry Flies: During hatches, use dry flies that imitate insects like mayflies or caddisflies. Char will rise to the surface to feed, making this an exciting method.
Nymphing: Drift nymph patterns near the bottom where Char may feed on aquatic larvae or small fish like salmon fry.
Streamers: Use streamer flies that mimic small fish or sponges, which is especially effective when Char feeds aggressively.
Rods and Reels: 5- 10 rods and 7-8-weight reels suit Arctic Char’s size and strength, providing a balanced and enjoyable fishing experience.
The Arctic Char Awaits
There’s no denying the thrill of fly fishing for Arctic Char. These fish are stunning when they’re spawning, and they’re incredibly delicious. But more than that, they’re a ton of fun to fish for. Whether you’re nymphing or using streamers, there are countless ways to try and hook them. Few fish offer such a variety of methods to catch them. So why wait? Reach out to us and let us help you plan your trip to the Arctic Circle to go after these cold-water mammoths.