Dolly Varden Trout

The Dolly Varden Trout is a species of ray-finned fish native to the cold-water tributaries of the Pacific Ocean in Asia and North America. Despite being referred to as a trout, it belongs to a family of fish more commonly associated with the char. The first recorded use of the name 'Dolly Varden' was used to name fish caught in the McCloud River in northern California in the early 1870s. A popular trend in fashion for women at that time was known as 'Dolly Varden', a dress of sheer muslin worn over a bright-colored petticoat; although the exact name was taken from a character in Dickens' novel Barnaby Rudge. The colorful markings of the fish reminded anglers of the fashion stylings of Dolly Varden, clothing the fish previously known as the Calico Trout in the garb of a new name.