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.
Temperature
Discharge
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: Emily Dmohowski
Report Date: February 26, 2021
Current Conditions: With every day getting longer than the one before it though, this is a good time of year to take a drive down 6 looking for newly opened up spots that will hold fish that haven't seen flies in months. The fish are moving around more, so if the deep run slows down move into those shallower sections. Use small midges and baetis partterns below an adjustable strick indicator. You may notice a short midge hatch on the warmer days, keep those emerger close when you start to see the fish rising in the water column.
KEEP EM WET: We tend to associate keeping fish wet with warm temps and that is good, however, the same goes for Keeping Em Wet in the freezing winter temps too. Trout are susceptible frostbite and their gills can freeze. With winter here, remember to try to keep the fish wet, continue to limit photos and leave the fish in the water.
Hatches: Midges, midges, midges
Recommended Flies:NYMPHS:Zebra Midge olive/black 14-22, Pheasant Tails 14-20, Rainbow Warrior 16-20, JuJu midge 18-22,Two Bit Hooker 18-22, Barr Emerger 16-20, Copper John red and copper sz 18, Lint Bug 20-22, KF Flasher 18-20
DRIES: Renegade 18-22, Para Adams 18-22, Roys Special Emerger 20-22, Black Sprouts Midge 18-22, Hackle Stacker BWO 18-22, Griffith Gnat 18-22
STREAMERS:Thin Mint, Motor Oil, Sparkle Minnow, Natural Sculpzilla, Baby Gongas