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: May 22, 2019
Current Conditions: . The Eagle River's flows have been dropping due to the cold weather the valley has seen this week. The snowpack is holding up nice for the summer. We have been seeing nice BWO hatches and the trout have been taking them off the surface. The caddisflies are starting to become more active and we are starting to see a few in air. If they are taking emergers right below the surface, try using a foam bug with a beaded nymph to target these fish. Nymphing with stoneflies, eggs, worms, caddis nymphs, and baetis have been productive throughout the day and should definitely be your focus.
Hatches:BWOs and Midges
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, Griffith Gnat 16-20, Renegade 16-18, Ext. Body Parachute Adams 18-22, Parachute Adams 18-22
STREAMERS:Thin Mint, Motor Oil, Sparkle Minnow, Sculpzilla, Autumn Splendor, Baby Gongas