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: Brett Elkman
Report Date: October 22, 2020
Current Conditions: The river is back down to its normal flow and the water is cool. It is fishing well. As we creep into fall the BWO's are picking up with some great hatches. Dry fly fishing can be had at various times so mix it up with a double dry combo like an October caddis 16 to an Iwan-E-Dun 20. Para Adams as a trailer has been a good pattern lately as has a small Polywing Emerger in the early am. When nymphing, fish 2 flies but be sure to have a small size 18-24 fly as your second fly. The RS2 has been a great one for us as well as the Tung Magic BWO. Hopper dropper action is good too. And finally for you meat chuckers, the streamer bite is picking up.
SPAWN ALERT: Brown trout have started to spawn on the Eagle in various places from the headwaters to the confluence with the Colorado. While there are no enforced closures on the Eagle, please be respectful of the fishery and don't fish in these areas to protect the future of this amazing resource.
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 on the approach, remember to try to keep the fish wet, continue to limit photos and leave the fish in the water.
Hatches: BWO's, Midges
Recommended Flies:NYMPHS:Zebra Midge olive/black 14-22, Hares Ear 16-20, Pheasant Tails 14-20, Rainbow Warrior 16-20, JuJu Baetis 18-22,Two Bit Hooker 18-22, Barr Emerger16-2, Pats Rubber Leg 10-12, Natural Worm 10-14, Copper John red and copper sz 18, Crane Fly Larva 10-12, Lint Bug 20-22, KF Flasher 18-20
DRIES: Para Wulff 10-18, Para Adams 16-22, Elk Hair Caddis 12-18, Para Extended Body BWO 16-20, Roys Special Emerger 20-22, Black Sprouts Midge 18-22, Hackle Stacker BWO 18-22
STREAMERS:Thin Mint, Motor Oil, Sparkle Minnow, Natural Sculpzilla, Baby Gongas