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Fishing Reports
Eagle River
April 02, 2008
Posted by Fly Fishing Outfitters
Contact: Brody Henderson
Avon, CO 81620 USA
Phone 1: 800-595-8090
Phone 2: 970-845-8090
Fax: 970-845-0284
Email: fish@vail.net
URL: http://www.flyfishingoutfitters.net
Current Report
The Eagle has been great the
past week or so. We're done
with the really cold weather
and waters temps have climbed
a bit with the longer warmer
days. Good hatch of olive#18
midges and a few BWOs have
started as well. Nymphing
with BWO nymph and midge
emergers trailing an
egg,golden stone, or Guide's
Choice Hare's Ear has been
very productive we've also
been catching a few fish on
dries like Pablo's cripple
and The Bat Wing Emerger.
Watch out for spawning
rainbows and let them do
their thing please.
Catch of the Week
Great day of dry fly fishing
with a #18 Parachute BWO near
Edwards.
Special Report
The Eagle River is located
almost entirely in Eagle
County, Colorado. The
headwaters of the Eagle
begin as a small creek on
the north side of Tennessee
Pass. The fishery there is
comprised of Brookies and
Browns in the 6-12 inch
range. Most all of the land
surrounding the Eagle above
the town of Red Cliff is
controlled by the
Forest Service and public
access is permitted. This
area is characterized by
meandering meadows and
beaver ponds. Access here is
limited but a train track
follows a good portion of
the river. Below Red Cliff
the Eagle passes thru Gilman
Canyon and the now defunct
Double Eagle Mine site on
its way towards the town of
Minturn. The river here is a
freestone stream
characterized by lots of
rocks and pocket water.
Smaller Browns dominate this
section of stream but
several 18 inch fish were
shocked this past spring and
the river has recovered from
past mining pollution after
the installation of a new
water treatment plant at the
old mine site. Further
downstream in Avon the
stream widens to become a
river measuring about 40-50
feet across with typical
flows of 200-250 cfs. Our
shop is found in Avon just
100 yards from the river.
The average size trout in
this section of the Eagle is
about 12inches. Cutthroat
and Rainbow Trout mix with
Browns for a diversified
catch. As the stream flows
through Edwards it takes on
a lower gradient and
broadens. Most of the land
between Avon and Wolcott is
private. Between the towns
of Wolcott and Eagle their
are three public area's 1)
Climbing Rock BLM Fee
Campground 2)Red Canyon and
3)Eagle Lease which all have
good water and access to
some of the rivers best
fishing. The water below
Wolcott is susceptible to
Alkaline and Milk Creeks
cloudy conditions so be
aware that different
conditions of water clarity
due exist in the lower
stretches of the river.
Gypsum is the next town the
Eagle passes thru and has
access both above and below
town at the Gypsum Ponds and
Gypsum BLM campground. From
here the river travels about
8 miles to Dotsero and then
dumps into the Colorado
River.
The Eagle is a rocky,
technical river with a
number of tight Class IV
rapids during high water.
Please hire a knowledgeable
outfitter if you plan on
floating. Rafts are used
almost exclusively in this
river. Leave your drift
boat at home.
The Eagle River and its
tributaries attract a
variety of wildlife
including beaver, coyotes,
deer, elk, river otter, and
raccoons. The red tailed
hawk, bald and golden eagles
and turkey vultures are
among the most prevalent
raptors. Blue herons,
kingfishers and an abundance
of migrating songbirds can
be found on the banks of the
Eagle. Trout species
include
browns, rainbows,
cutthroats,
and the occasional brookie.
All the trout are wild.
Please practice catch and
release.
One-Week Fishing Forecast
Should be pretty good this
week! Water will color up
in the afternoons on the
lower river but if it stays
green the fishing will be
good.
Two-Week Fishing Forecast
Look for things to remain
good. More bugs including
BWOs will begin to hatch.
Water down low may get muddy
on warmer afternoons.
Hatch Info
Midges,#22 Black, #18 Olive.
BWOs are beginning to hatch.
Hot Fly Patterns
Barr Emerger,RS2,WD50,Crystal
Midge,Egg patterns,Pheasant
tail, Olive,black, and gray
soft hackles in #18-22, small
golden stones,charteuse
copper john,caddis larvae
Parachute
Adams,Griffith's gnat,Pablo's
Cripple
Also buggers in
brown,cream,black,yellow,and
olive #2-10
River Flows
91cfs in Avon
Meet our Guides
Meet our Guides
Water Temperature
mid 30's to low 40's
Fly-fishing Schools
Orvis
Endorsed Fly Fishing
Outfitters Fly Fishing
Schools
Call for info on fly tying
classes. Classes woill be
ofered throughout the winter.
Special Events
Guided trips
available daily. Call 1-800-
595-8090 for reservations.
 This fishing report brought to you by Fly Fishing Outfitters.
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