Colorado River Fly Fishing Reports - Alpine River Outfitters

River Level

Eagle River Flow at Redcliff	Well, She is cranking! The Eagle River is presently flowing at 1380 cfs. Observe the jump on the graph over the past few days. Only Mother Nature will determine what happens next. For the moment she is blown! We have some cold temperatures in the five day forecast... She could clear up in one cold night... If she does, fish from the boat with caddis and streamers!!!
Eagle River Flow below Avon
Eagle River Flow below Gypsum

Hatches

NONE - right now

Fly Patterns

DRIES: Parachute PMD's 12-18, ParaWulff BWO's 16-18, BDE's in Olive and Black 16-20, Royal Stimis 12-16, Goulds PMX 12-16, Peacock Caddis 14-18, Hen Wing Caddis, 14-18, AC Caddis 14-16, Olive Elk Hair 16-18,Furimsky's BDE 18-20, Para BWO 16-20, Midge Adams 20-24, Olive Midge 20-24, Royal Stimulator 12-18, Para Wulff BWO 16-20

NYMPHS: Barr's BWO and PMD emerger 16-20Submarine Soft Hackel 16-20, Z Wings 14-20, Latex Larva 16-20, Virus Bug 14-20, Twenty Inchers sz 8-12 Silver Copper Bob's sz 18-20, Pheasant Tail 16-24, Prince Nymphs 16-20, Micro Mayfly 16-20, Superflash 16-22, Zebra Midges 16-20, Barr Emergers BWO 16-22, Present tails 16-20, Eggs, Johnny flashes 18-22, Z-Wing Caddis 16-20, WD 40's 18-22, Ice Nymphs 16-20.

Streamers: Slump Busters, Motor Oils, Krystal Flashes, Foxee Clousers, Bow River Buggars in Olive and Brown, BH Wooly Buggars in Olive and Black.

Weather Forecast

Other Information

Alpine River Outfitters fly fishing on 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 FLY FISHING TRIPS DAILY throughout the winter. Let us show you some tips to catching fish by hiring a guide for the day. During the early season float fishing is the best way to access the Eagle River. Take a guided trip and see what an amazing fishery we have in our back yard.

River Description

The Eagle River originates at Tennessee Pass north of the historic town of Leadville. This remote upper region is dotted with small beaver ponds, is extremely inaccessible, and is not usually considered worthwhile fishing. The Eagle is accessible near Camp Hale at the north end of Tennessee Pass, and this region is typical high alpine fishing for small fish. The Eagle meets Homestake Creek below the town of Redcliff and flows for miles through what is called Gilpin Canyon. This property is owned by the railroad companies and is posted as private. Near Minturn, the riverbed widens and thus begins the more fishable stretches of the river. The river in this area has historically been affected by mining run-off, and though the fish numbers have improved over recent years, most fishing occurs still farther downstream of Minturn. From here, the Eagle flows some fifty miles passing through the towns of Avon, Edwards, Wolcott, Eagle, and Gypsum until it meets the Colorado River near Dotsero. It is accessible directly from Hwy 6 which parallels the river and I-70 for this entire length. There is considerable public access, though private parcels do somewhat limit where one can fish. The Eagle fishes very well throughout this lower section and your choice of spots would depend mostly on how far out of town you want to be. The river tends to get more remote around Wolcott and Eagle, though the fishing can be just as productive around Avon and Edwards. Fish size averages around 12", but catching an 18-incher is not unheard of. The Eagle supports rainbows, browns, cutthroats, and brookies, but rainbows and browns predominate. The river is thirty yards across at its widest and the wading can be difficult or easy depending on the water level. Moss covered rocks and boulders make wading more tricky for those who are not sure-footed. The Eagle provides all types of fishing situations from slow, deep pools to quick, long riffles to sneaky, undercut banks. Anglers should be prepared to fish with nymphs or droppers, but dry fly activity occurs regularly throughout the year. The Eagle is a fairly "angler friendly" river in the early summer when water levels are higher and the fish are not spooky. But as the water level drops, the fish become smarter and currents more complicated, and the river can become quite technical. The Eagle is best known for its early summer Caddis hatch which typically arrives immediately following run-off. Early season is the time to float the Eagle, for it becomes too low to navigate a boat around the middle of July. By late summer, anglers will wade no deeper than the knee, and flies change from larger size Caddis and Stoneflies to smaller Mayflies. Fall is the season for tiny Mayflies and Midges, and the fishing can continue to be productive throughout the winter, depending on ice conditions. Because the Eagle is not hindered by any dams or reservoirs, it is one of the last remaining free-flowing freestone rivers in Colorado.