Summer conditions have arrived in the Vail Valley.  Water flows are dropping and temps are rising.  That means it is time to start and end your day early, especially at lower elevations, to help protect the health of our fisheries.  With that being said, those who are willing to up and on the river at the right times have been rewarded with excellent fishing on the Eagle River and throughout the valley.

Lower Eagle

The Lower Eagle, below Wolcott, has been the main area of concern in regards to water temperatures.  Guides have been reporting temperatures in the high 60s by mid afternoon.  The fishing in the morning has been phenomenal though, with fish feeding on emerging PMDs and Yellow Sallys.  These hatches can provide some of the best dry fly fishing at the moment.  Sally dries have been particularly effective close to the banks, while PMDs tend to concentrate more in riffles and seams.  Fishing a yellow or tan perdigon or soft hackle can be extremely effective this time of year because fish can eat them as a PMD or Sally  There have also been sporadic trico and caddis hatches on the lower Eagle.  There have also been some larger quills hatching on the lower Eagle, making larger, size 14 or 16 pheasant tails effective lead flies.  Quill body baetis emergers are also a must have if you see these large, somewhat clumsy mayfies hatching or skittering just above the surface. Flows have dropped to below 250 CFS, meaning that float season on the Eagle has unfortunately come to end. 

Upper Eagle

Hatches have been similar on the Upper Eagle,

 predominantly Yellow Sallys and PMDs.  Caddis are still hanging around more consistently above Wollcott, with soft hackle caddis pupae being a consistent producer.  We have also started seeing good numbers of nocturnal stonefly shucks on the banks from Edwards down through Wolcott.  While these large stoneflies hatch at night, they begin making their way towards the banks and staging during the day.  A big Pat’s Rubber Legs makes an excellent imitation for these nocturnal stones and have put several quality fish in the net over the last couple of days.  If you are out early, a large Chubby is also a good way to fool fish on the surface as they look for remaining adults from the previous night’s activity.  With water being low, many anglers have swapped out their nymph rigs for hopper droppers to cover surface and subsurface feeding.  A hopper dropper, or skinny rig, can also help you get a clean, snag free drift through those shallow riffles and off ledges.

Roaring Fork

Flows on the Roaring fork have been fairly consistent and the fishing has been some of the best in the state.  Hatches have been similar to the Eagle, with PMDs making up the bulk of daily hatches.  Caddis flies are also still hatching in greater quantities than on the Eagle.  Fishing heavy PMD nymphs or perdigons with light colored soft hackles or caddis pupae below has been a go-to combo for our guides on the Fork.  

Upper Colorado

Flows have been boosted on the Colorado and have been above 500 CFS for the last two weeks.  Stoneflies are still a go to in fast riffles and deep seams. Pat’s Rubber Legs and 20 Inchers are guide favorites, especially above Ranche Del Rio.  PMDS and caddis have also been hatching in solid numbers throughout the Upper Colorado.  Tan caddis pupae have been a top producer along with dirty bird and UV caddis.  Dry fly fishing has been heating up on the Colorado with fish feeding on PMD dries and hoppers.  Fishing a PMD emerger or soft hackle behind a PMD dry has been a good way to target fish keyed in on PMDs trapped in the surface film.