Weekly Report
Note: This will be the last report update that will be provided. We’ve loved every minute of this journey and value the relationships we’ve made and the community that we’ve built but unfortunately, it’s time for us to focus on other priorities. Flows on the Eagle have seen a small amount of variability in recent days, but have largely held steady. While flows are lower than ideal the fishing has been good as of late. Trout have been and will continue to be sluggish in the early hours of the day and to hold idle in the soft water most of the morning. Regardless, trout are growing increasingly skittish and selective given high water clarity and fewer nutrients. As such, you’ll want to start thinking about downsizing your flies and tippet. Nymphing with lead flies in the searcher/attractor variety to one or more smaller midge or baetis imitations will be the most effective. Hatch activity has been consistent with midges making a regular appearance and somewhat inconsistent BWOs. With this in mind, don't expect a lights out dry fly day, but come prepared to fish some dry flies (single, double or dry dropper). Otherwise, streamers have been and will continue to be an effective route.
Recommended Flies
Sub-surface
- Mercury Black Beauty (#18-20)
- Top Secret (#18-20)
- Zebra Midge (#18-20)
- Perdimidge (#18-20)
- Chocolate Foam Back Emerger (#18-20)
- Mercury RS2 (#20-22)
- Stalcup Baetis (#20-22)
- Splitcase PMD (#16-18)
- Electric Caddis (#16-18)
- Sparkle Pupa (#16-18)
- Mayer's Mini Leech (#12-16)
- Egg Sucking Leech (#12-14)
- Mercury Pheasant Tail (#16-20)
- Jig Hook Pheasant Tail (#16-18)
- Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear (#16-18)
- red Copper John (#18-20)
- Frenchie (#18-20)
- Rainbow Warrior (#18-20)
- Perdigon (#16-18)
- Pig Sticker
- Egg
Surface
- Parachute Adams (#18-20)
- Matt's Midge (#18-20)
- Hatching Midge (#18-20)
- Griffiths Gnat (#18-20)
- Cluster Midge (#18-20)
- Parachute PMD (#14-16)
- Red Quill (#16)
- Parawulff (#18)
- Elk Hair Caddis (#16-18)
- Resting Caddis (#16-18)
- Chubby Chernobyl
- 64-Impalla
Streamers
- Slump Busters (#4-6)
- Sculpzilla (#4 or #8)
- Peanut Envy (#4)
- white Sparkle Minnow (#6)
- black Wooly Bugger (#4-6)
- Cheech Leech (#6)
- Barely Legal (#4)
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River Flow
Detailed River Info
Background
The Eagle River is a tributary of the Colorado River and spans over 60 miles through west central Colorado. This beautiful freestone river originates at the Continental Divide near the Mount of the Holy Cross and Camp Hale landmarks. Beginning at the Divide, it travels north until it reaches the Vail Valley to which it turns west where it merges with Gore Creek before ultimately spilling into the Colorado River near Dotsero. Here you’ll find beautiful landscapes ranging from a meandering valley setting to intense rapids cutting through jagged mountainous terrain. In this river, you’ll find plenty of cutthroat, brook, brown and rainbow trout in the 10” to 15” range. However, there are a few native lunkers holding in the upper and lower sections.
Angling
The Eagle offers a variety of fishing styles and is generally friendly to anglers of all skill sets. The upper Eagle, near the headwaters, is known best for its pocket water and swift current. This is one of the more technical sections, but with a little persistence and patience you could find yourself on the fighting end of a trophy brown. Additionally, this stretch offers some incredible dry fly fishing in the late summer and fall. The lower Eagle is more forgiving. However, it sees a lot more angler traffic. Here you will find bigger uniform water with fewer features. A heavy nymph rig has proven to be the most effective in this stretch. However, streamers are always a great option, especially if you’re looking to target bigger fish.
River Access
There are a number of great access points along the Eagle as it flows parallel to I-70 for much of its journey to the Colorado River. If you are looking to fish the headwaters, take Highway 24 from Dowd’s Junction (I-70 and Highway 24) toward Leadville until you reach Camp Hale. Here you’ll find a number of campgrounds and forest service land. However, keep an eye out for private property. Fishing through Vail Valley provides many access points stretching from the Minturn exit to Dotsero. If you follow Highway 6, you’ll find plenty of public access points along the Eagle. Look for BLM sites and DOW leases.