We are seeing warm water temps on the lower Eagle at 65 degrees or more by noon everyday. Make sure to carry a thermometer with you if you plan to fish in the afternoon or on the lower stretches of the Eagle. The higher up river you go the cooler the water temps get. Plan your day on the water accordingly. Remember that trout are happiest in cooler water (45-62 Degrees) if you’re catching fish try to limit the time you’re playing trout, get them to the net quickly and release them. “Keep um’ wet.” Always make sure your hands are wet when handling trout and we suggest getting photos of your fish in the net while in the water. Avoid fishing in water temperatures 65-68 degrees or warmer. There are plenty of local “cool water” options. Please give the fly shop a call if you are looking for suggestions
The Eagle River has been fishing well for the wading anglers. The flows are slowing and not allowing for float fishing any more this season. The main hatches are pseudo baetis starting in the early morning lasting sporadically throughout the day. There are also Tricos coming off mid morning to early afternoon. Caddis are still hatching on the eagle starting late morning with micro caddis. The overall size of caddis will get larger as the day goes on and into the evening where we’re seeing the largest caddis hatches. Redquills are coming off during the day as well.
A productive way to fish the Eagle is to throw a “skinny rig,” which is a nymph rig with a small indicator and very little weight or try just fishing the weight of the flies with smaller more natural colored bugs. Try going smaller in tippet 5.5x-6x and increasing the distance between flies to help trick those educated fish in the low and clear water. Another productive way to fish is a “dry dropper” or “mini-rig” to target those fish eating subsurface. Focus on fishing shallow riffles where the water is most oxygenated.
The flows on the Upper Colorado are at prime levels right now with water just released at 1500cfs. We’re seeing similar hatches to the Eagle River with a dominant Trico, and Red Quill Hatch. Micro caddis are hatching throughout the day and larger caddis are coming off closer to dark along with a huge presence of pseudo hatch before dark.
Mandy Hertzfeld