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The Eagle River, a 60-mile freestone stream in Colorado's Vail Valley, originates near Tennessee Pass and flows northwest to join the Colorado River at Dotsero. This river offers diverse fly fishing opportunities across its upper, middle, and lower sections.
The Eagle has settled into its fall rhythm—low, clear, and technical. Tricos are still the breakfast menu, PMDs are hanging around, and terrestrials are pulling bonus eats in the afternoons. Crowds thin as hunting season kicks off, leaving the river mostly to the hardcore anglers who know how to downsize and stealth fish.
At-a-Glance Conditions
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Rating: ⭐⭐⭐☆ (3/5 – fishable but technical)
Flow (CFS): ~260 CFS
Water Temp: 54–58°F mid-morning
Air Temp: Mid-70s°F afternoons
Clarity: Clear, spooky fish
Best Times: 7–11 AM for tricos, late PM for terrestrials
Fishing Pressure: Medium
Top Flies: Trico Spinner #22 | RS2 #20 | Amy’s Ant #12
🎧 Listen to the Podcast
We cover Eagle River’s September challenges—low flows, picky trout, and where to find consistent eats.
Weather Snapshot
Source: OpenWeather / NOAA
Hatch Chart
| Month | Midges | BWOs | PMDs | Tricos | Caddis | Terrestrials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| July | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ |
| Aug | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Sept | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | — | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Flies for the Eagle River
- Dry Fly Setup: CDC Trico Spinner #22 on 12–14’ 6X leader.
- Nymph Setup: RS2 Emerger #20 below a Juju Baetis #20, 18” apart, 5X fluoro.
- Streamer Setup: Thin Mint Bugger #10 or small Sculpzilla, swung in shadow lines.
- Pro Rig (Guide’s Pick): Hopper-dropper with Amy’s Ant #12 + RS2 #20.
Access Points
| Spot | Why Fish Here | Parking | Wading | Crowds | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gypsum Bridge | Consistent riffles, easy access | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | ⭐⭐⭐☆ | ⭐⭐☆ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ |
| Dotsero Section | Longer runs, PMD & trico water | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ |
| Eagle Town Park | Evening terrestrial bite, close to town | ⭐⭐⭐☆ | ⭐⭐☆ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐☆ |
Extended FAQ – Eagle River
Q: When’s the best time to fish the Eagle in September?
A: Early mornings for tricos, evenings for terrestrials.
Q: What flies are producing right now?
A: Trico spinners, RS2s, and ants near the banks.
Q: Is the Eagle crowded in fall?
A: Moderate—most anglers are hunting, so weekdays are quiet.
Q: Any special regs or closures?
A: Standard regs apply—check CPW updates during warm spells.
Q: Best stretch for beginners?
A: Town of Eagle runs—easy access and forgiving wade lines.
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