Summer is the best time for Eagle River fly fishing, like most trout streams. Summer is the most popular time to fish the Eagle River due to hatches, flows, and eager trout. The Vail Valley is also beautiful.
The Eagle fishes top-to-bottom this time of year. The Eagle River can be fished from Camp Hale to the Colorado River confluence. Summer flows drop steadily, and clarity is perfect. Fish eat flies from dawn to dusk on longer days. The river is full of bugs, and the fish react, giving you multiple ways to catch trout in any section.
Summer on the Eagle River is bug heaven. Caddis come off multiple times a day, PMDs are trout favorites, and Yellow Sally stoneflies round out river-given options. The terrestrial options are the cherry on top. Ants, beetles, and grasshoppers are great dry fly eats for bigger fish and edible indicators for faster water nymph fishing. Dog days on the Eagle offer many options.
Summer afternoon thunderstorms are common. Luckily, these storms move in small cells and rarely last long. If a storm hits while fly fishing the Eagle River, check the weather radar on your phone. Fish in the opposite direction of the storm. The fishing will be great and the air cooler. The river drops faster and warms up in the west, where there are fewer trees and tall peaks to shade it. In recent years, voluntary “No afternoon fishing” has emerged. If you fly fish in the Eagle River in August, bring a stream thermometer to avoid stressing the fish we love.
Fish the upper Eagle River from Camp Hale to Eagle-Vail for scenery, less pressure, and dry fly eats. This area is known for quantity over quality, but your rod may bend deeper occasionally. Browns and rainbows dominate these stretches, but the occasional cutthroat swims toward Minturn. The Eagle from Avon to Wolcott is great this time of year, but be aware of the many private areas. Dry flies and streamers are best thrown in the morning and afternoon on this floating stretch. The lower river from Eagle to Dotsero is known for having the largest Eagle River fish and floats well. While the upper stretches are more scenic, the big fish make up for the neighborhood and gypsum plant scenery. The lower river is great for night fishing during summer full moons.
Gear selection depends on the river section and fishing style. The lower Eagle River resembles a Montana stream at the bottom, while the upper Eagle is like a small creek. Here are our Eagle River Outfitter's gear recommendations by region.
The best 9'0" 5-weight fly rod can throw delicate dries, turn over indicator rigs, and chuck streamers.
Caddis, PMDs, and Yellow Sallies are Eagle River trout's main food sources in summer. Fish absolutely forage on late summer tricos. The next section covers flies by bug type, leaving streamers to your taste and confidence.
Caddis
Larva - Jig Caddis, Olive CDC Jig Caddis, Flashback CDC Hot Collar Jig Hare’s Ear, B’s Czech Hare’s Ear, Chartreuse Copper John, Tungsten Lime Caddis
Pupa - Soft Hackle Hare’s Ear, Caddis Pupa Tan, Tungsten Plan D Caddis, UV Caddis, CDC Soft Hackle Caddis, Caddis Emerger
Adult - Elk Hair Caddis, Tilt Wing Caddis, Hi Vis Parachute Caddis, Foam Caddis, X Caddis, CDC Caddis, EC Caddis
Pale Morning Duns
Nymph - Flash Wing Baetis, Tungsten Quill Body PMD, Tungsten Frenchie, PMD SM Nymph, Crack Back PMD, Gold Digger Perdigon, UV Gold Perdigon Jig,
Emerger - Flashback PMD Emerger, Yellow Soft Hackle, Almost Dun
Adult/Spinner - Pale Morning Dun, Parachute PMD, Quill Body PMD, Hackle Stacker, Emerger Cripple
Yellow Sally Stonefly
Nymph - Yellow Sally Nymph, B’s Micro Stone Jig, Yellow Sally Tungsten Jig
Adult - Yellow Sally, Crystal Wing Yellow Sally, Spent Sally, Headlight Yellow Sally, Yellow Stimulator, Burk’s Lil Yellow
Others
Tricos - Parachute Trico, Trico Spinner, Male Trico Spinner, Cote’s Trick Spinner *Fish any of these adults or spinners subsurface/under weight
Terrestrials - Chubby Chernobyl, Mosquito, Army Ant, Fur Ant, Dave’s Foam Hopper, Brush Creek Hopper, Parachute Tan Hopper, Hi Vis Beetle, Hippie Stomper
For your best summer fishing trip outcome, we recommend reviewing the most current Eagle River fishing report posts on our website or/and just check out our page on how to fly fishing the Eagle River. These posts are essential because they provide current information on water conditions, fish activity, effective locations, tactics, seasonal patterns, and opportunities to connect with a community of anglers. This knowledge will help you make informed decisions, improve your fishing success, and enrich your fishing experience. If this is your first outing on the Eagle River, you may consider booking a trip with ERO. Our fly fishing guides will share their expertise and knowledge that will enhance your skills as an angler.
