Latest Update: 2/24/21 --
Flows at Milk Creek below Wolcott are now at 90 cfS. Much of this section is covered in ice, though thawing is in process* Small and naturally colored flies (midges) will be your go-to. Caddis, Stones, Yellow Sallies, PMD's and more are all in the water system this time of year. Nymphing and dry/dropper rigs are going to be the best tactic. Some of our favorite flies include: Pat's Rubber Legs, UV Sallies, Prince Nymphs, Dirty Birds, Copper Johns, San Juan worms, Egg Patterns and more. And with most places this time of the year..... streamers!!! Do not forget your size 22-24 midges, they work very well here!
Recommended Flies
River InformationThe Eagle River begins high in the mountains near the continental divide. This rainbow and brown trout filled freestone flows northwest along I-70/Hwy 6 through the towns of Vail, Minturn, Avon, Edwards and Gypsum before reaching the mighty Colorado River near the town of Dotsero, CO approximately 60 miles from it's headwaters.
The Eagle River is a bug filled river in every sense of the world. Depending on the season, anglers can expect to find midges, tricos, caddis, stoneflies and multiple varieties of mayflies on any given day.
Seasonal ConditionsThe Eagle is most often fished on foot, which can be done 12 months a year. For anyone lucky enough to own a raft (or know someone who does), it also offers a short float fishing window from April-July in most years. Float fishing this river can be extremely productive.
Home to prolific caddis, stonefly, mayfly, trico and midge hatches, many people flock to this river in hopes of fishing dry flies. Summertime almost always means dry/dropper or hopper/dropper rigs from start to finish and can provide some phenomenal action.
Matching your flies, whether on the surface or subsurface, to the corresponding hatch will almost always result in a fish filled net. Streamer fishing can also be quite effective from late spring through the fall.
The Eagle River has extensive public access and offers angler a variety of different locations to spend the day. One of the best ways access the river is along Hwy 6, which parallels I-70 and passes through the towns of Gypsum, Edwards, Eagle and Avon.
