Wise man with two degrees describing Dolly Varden? (7)
I believe the answer is:
mahatma
'wise man' is the definition.
(I know that mahatma is a type of sage)
'two degrees describing dolly varden?' is the wordplay.
'two degrees' can mean two substitutions for 'degree'.
'degree' becomes 'MA' (Master of Arts is a type of degree).
'degree' becomes 'MA' (Master of Arts is a type of degree).
'describing' indicates putting letters inside (describe can mean to form the outline of).
'dolly varden?' becomes 'hat' (Dolly Varden can mean a type of hat).
'ma'+'ma'='mama'
'mama' going around 'hat' is 'MAHATMA'.
'with' is the link.
(Other definitions for mahatma that I've seen before include "venerable soul" , "Wise fellow" , "In India, a title of respect as for Gandhi" , "(Indian) holy person or sage" , "Holy person or sage in South Asia" .)