Fishing throughout the Vail Valley continues to be a game of the early bird gets the worm.  With continued warm weather and lack of significant rain, temperatures on many of the rivers in the area are reaching high 60s to low 70s by early afternoon.  Morning Dry fly fishing continues to be productive, and terrestrials are becoming a better choice every day.

Eagle River

The Eagle River is in excellent midsummer shape with clear water and low, wade-friendly flows. Water temperatures remain ideal through the upper river but warm quickly below Wolcott and Gypsum during the afternoon. Anglers should carry a thermometer and stop fishing when temperatures approach 67–68°F to reduce stress on trout. Caddis hatches are still abundant on the upper stretches, from Avon through Minturn.  Tricos are becoming more predominant on the lower river, but fishing below Wolcott should be on a day to day basis when overnight temps are cool enough to lower water temps.  Early morning bites on the Eagle have predominantly been on small midge and baetis patterns in sizes 20-22.  Intermittent rain has also helped push annelids back in the river.

Roaring Fork River

The Roaring Fork is fishing well throughout most of the drainage. Cooler overnight temperatures have helped maintain good morning water temperatures, although the lower river near Glenwood Springs is reaching the upper 60s during the afternoon. The upper Fork and the Basalt section continue to provide excellent fishing throughout the morning and early afternoon. There are still a wide variety of hatches happening on the Fork, including caddis, PMDs, Drakes, and Golden Stoneflies.  As flows drop and terrestrial activity increases, hopper dropper rigs are the ideal set up to take advantage of fish feeding both on the surface and sub surface.

Colorado River

Flows on the Colorado remain favorable for float fishing as flows have remained steady between 900 and 1200 CFS.  The upper stretches, near Pumphouse and Radium remain cool enough to fish all day, while the lower stretches around State Bridge and Two Bridges are starting to hit the upper 60s by mid afternoon.  Hopper Fishing is excellent, with a yellow Chubby being a guide favorite.  For nymphs, tan perdigons and PMD patterns have been especially productive.  For nymph rigs, the trusty Pat’s Rubber Legs always makes an excellent lead fly.  Streamer fishing has slowed slightly, but smaller streamer patterns in olive and tan have still been enticing bites from aggressive browns.

Fishing across central Colorado remains very good despite low summer flows. The best action is occurring during the first half of the day, with prolific caddis, PMD and stonefly activity across all three rivers. Terrestrial fishing is improving daily and should continue getting stronger as July progresses.