| Fishing Report |
The Eagle is currently flowing at 63 CFS. The river's opening more and more every day. Fishing's been very good with outdoor tempatures in the low 40's. Midges and small mayfly nypmhs working best. Fishing's best from 10 am-3 pm. Best access from Avon to Edwards or Gypsum downstream. We expect the fishing to remain good with the February weather... |
| River
Level |
Eagle River Flow at Redcliff
Eagle River Flow below Avon
Eagle River Flow below Gypsum |
Hatches |
BWO, Midges, Eggs |
Fly
Patterns |
Best flies: Dries- BWOs and midges (Griffiths Gnat) Nymphs- #16-20 Barr Emerger BWO, Zebra Midges, Palomino midge, Hurricane Midge, RS-2, Jujubee (Olive, Black and Red)... Black Beauty #18-22, Zebra's in red, Black and Olive #18-22. Eggs in Chartreuse and pink (smaller the better) |
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Weather
Forecast |
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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. |
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