FISHING REPORT: EAGLE RIVER
OVERVIEW
The Eagle River is our home river and flows right behind our shop in Edwards. It is an excellent freestone river with prolific hatches. It flows from high above Camp Hale south of Redcliff to its confluence with the Colorado River in Dotsero. It is most famous for the prolific Caddis hatches that come off in the spring and early summer. The Eagle is noted for its excellent dry fly fishing for wild brown and rainbow trout. The float fishing season is fantastic but short and runs from April-July in most years. The Eagle can wade fished year round and there is excellent public access to the river below Wolcott and above Edwards.
Other Information
Vail Valley Anglers fishes the Eagle River near Vail, Avon, Edwards, Eagle, and Gypsum Colorado. The fishing on the Eagle is good every month of the year. We provide Guided Fishing Trips Daily throughout the winter. Let us show you some tips for catching fish by hiring a guide for the day. During late spring and through July float fishing is the best way to access the Eagle River. The rest of the year the Eagle is at ideal levels for wade fishing. Take a guided trip and see what an amazing fishery we have in our back yard.
Reporter: Ray Kyle
Report Date: July 15, 2019
Current Conditions: . The flows on the Eagle River is starting to drop after hitting the peak a couple of weeks ago. The water clarity is getting better and better everyday. Fishing the soft water along the banks will be your best bet. Nymphing with large stoneflies and worm patterns will be the go to patterns during the heavy flows of runoff. You can try flashy caddis or BWO patterns behind the larger attractor fly. Make sure you place a good amount of weight above your flies to get them down in the fast water. Focus your casts close to the banks where the fish are holding during runoff. No need to wade out too far (if at all) to target the areas that the fish are holding.
Hatches:Caddisflies and mayflies
Recommended Flies:
NYMPHS:Fusion Nymph 14-16, Guide's Choice Hare's Ear 12-16, Plan C Caddis 14-16, Nitro Caddis Pupa 14-18, Pat's Rubberlegs 10-12, Egg Patterns (cheese and chartuse), Black Rainbow Warriors 18-22, Juju Baetis 18-20, Flashback Pheasant Tail 16-18, Two Bit Hookers 16-18
DRIES: Hackle Stacker 16-20, Comparadun 16-20, Ext. Body Parachute Adams 16-20, Parachute Adams 16-20, Elk Hair Caddis 14-18, Pearl n Elk Caddis 14-18, Lost Link 16-18, Patriot 14-18.
STREAMERS:Thin Mint, Motor Oil, Sparkle Minnow, Sculpzilla, Autumn Splendor, Baby Gongas