Eagle River Colorado Hatch Chart
North-central Colorado, near Vail and Glenwood Springs. The Eagle River drains the central Rockies from its headwaters near Tennessee Pass, flowing west through the resort corridor at Vail before dropping into the lower canyon toward its confluence with the Colorado River near Dotsero. The river offers two distinct fishing experiences separated by character and access.
The two sections
Upper Eagle - Vail to Eagle
A freestone river running through the resort corridor and the open valley below Vail. Wild brown and rainbow trout with some stocked fish near access points. Good road access along much of the river. Hatches are typical of Colorado freestone water - caddis, PMDs, BWO, and hoppers in season. The upper river above Vail in the Eagle River Recreation Area has catch-and-release sections - confirm current Colorado Parks and Wildlife regulations before you go.
Lower Eagle - Eagle to Dotsero
Below the town of Eagle, the river drops into a more remote canyon before reaching the Colorado. Less pressure, larger fish, and a better tailwater influence from the lower gradient. Brown trout dominant. Some of the best dry-fly fishing on the system is in this lower stretch, particularly in fall. Access requires more effort than the upper valley.
Shop by type: dry flies, nymphs, Euro nymphs, hoppers and terrestrials, streamers.
Year at a glance
| Month | Primary hatches | Also carry | Typical sizes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | Midges | BWO on mild days | 20-24 |
| Feb | Midges, BWO | Small stonefly nymphs | 18-24 |
| Mar | Midges, BWO | Early Skwala on lower river | 18-22, Skwala 8-12 |
| Apr | BWO, caddis, Skwala | March Brown, runoff begins | 12-18 |
| May | Caddis, stonefly nymphs | BWO, high runoff typical | Caddis 14-16, stones 6-10 |
| Jun | Caddis, PMD, golden stone | Yellow sally, BWO | PMD 16-18, stones 8-12 |
| Jul | PMD, caddis, yellow sally | Hoppers start, tricos on slow sections | 14-18 |
| Aug | Hoppers, caddis, tricos | Ants, beetles, late PMD | Hopper 8-12, trico 20-24 |
| Sep | BWO, hoppers, caddis | Mahogany dun, streamers for browns | 18-22 BWO, hopper 10-12 |
| Oct | BWO, midges, mahogany dun | October caddis, streamers | 18-22 |
| Nov | Midges, BWO | Small nymphs, streamers | 20-24 |
| Dec | Midges | BWO on mild days | 20-24 |
January
Midge fishing year-round on the lower canyon section. The upper river near Vail can be slow in the coldest months. Focus on slow tailouts and deeper pools on mild, sunny afternoons.
- Midges - 20-24. Red zebra midge or small Euro nymph in a two-fly rig.
- BWO - 20-22 on overcast afternoons. Parachute BWO when fish are visibly rising.
February
Same midge and BWO program. Olives increase on gray afternoons. The lower canyon warms faster on sunny days and can produce good midday fishing.
- Midges and BWO on overcast days.
- Pheasant tail nymphs sized to 18-20 for Baetis subsurface.
- Small dark stonefly nymphs along the bottom.
March
BWO hatches strengthen. Early Skwala activity can occur on the lower canyon when water temperatures warm. One of the better months to fish the lower river before spring runoff pushes.
- BWO - 18-22. Parachute BWO and Barr's Baetis emerger.
- Skwala - 8-12 on the lower river on warm afternoons. Rubber-leg nymph along banks, Stimulator-style dry.
- Midges - 20-24 in slow water.
April
Caddis and olives overlap. Runoff typically starts building toward the end of April - fish the first half of the month before flows push. The lower canyon clears faster than the upper river during runoff.
- Caddis - 14-18. Elk hair caddis and the caddis assortment.
- BWO and midges on overcast days.
- March Brown - 14-16 on the larger lower sections.
May
Caddis can be excellent in early May. The river typically blows out mid-month with snowmelt from the high country above Vail - check stream gauges before making the trip. The lower canyon toward Dotsero clears faster than the upper valley.
- Caddis - 14-16. Elk hair caddis and the caddis assortment early in the month.
- Stonefly nymphs 6-10 from nymphs.
- BWO on overcast days when flows allow.
June
As flows drop and clear - usually mid-to-late June - the Eagle comes into form. Caddis and PMDs are the primary hatches. Golden stones in the faster canyon water. The lower river is often fishable earlier than the upper valley as runoff clears downstream first.
- Caddis - 14-16. Elk hair evenings.
- PMD - 16-18. Pale Morning Dun mornings with a pheasant tail dropper.
- Golden stone - 8-12 in faster canyon runs.
- Yellow sally - 14-16 in riffled sections.
July
Solid summer fishing throughout. PMDs continue into mid-month. Hoppers start along the valley grass and sage. The upper river near Vail sees the most pressure in July - early morning and evening are the best windows. The lower canyon is quieter and holds larger fish.
- PMD - 16-18. Pale Morning Dun with a pheasant tail dropper.
- Early hoppers along grass and sage banks - hoppers and terrestrials.
- Trico - 20-24 on slower flat sections, especially lower river.
- Caddis evenings. Elk hair.
August
Hopper season. The Eagle's valley character - open banks, sage and grass edges - makes it good hopper water. Fish early; afternoon thunderstorms are common at elevation above Vail. The lower canyon is more shaded and can fish well through midday.
- Hoppers - 8-12. A hopper-dropper with a small nymph is the standard rig. Shop hoppers and terrestrials.
- Trico - 20-24 on slower lower sections in the morning.
- Ants and beetles in foam lines.
- Evening caddis.
September
Outstanding month. BWO return as nights cool. Hoppers hold through mid-September. Brown trout begin showing pre-spawn aggression in the lower canyon - streamer fishing picks up. Crowds drop sharply after Labor Day and the lower canyon is essentially empty.
- Hoppers and ants through mid-September.
- BWO - 18-22. Parachute BWO and Baetis emerger.
- Mahogany dun - 14-16 on overcast afternoons.
- Streamers in deeper runs at last light for pre-spawn browns.
October
Fall BWO fishing on the lower canyon is some of the best of the year. Dense hatches on gray afternoons, selective browns, and almost no other anglers. October caddis add a large dry-fly option on warmer afternoons. Handle spawning fish carefully.
- BWO - 18-22. The dominant hatch. Sparse patterns and fine tippet.
- Mahogany dun - 14-16 on overcast days.
- October caddis - 8-12 on warmer afternoons.
- Midges - 20-24 in slow tailouts.
- Streamers for brown trout in the canyon.
November
Short days, cold mornings. BWO and midges on the warmest part of the afternoon. The lower canyon remains the most productive option in late fall.
December
Midge program. The lower canyon is the practical option - the upper valley near Vail can be difficult to access and very cold. Calm, mild afternoons on the lower river can surprise with willing fish.
- Red zebra midge and small nymphs - 20-24.
- BWO on mild, overcast afternoons.
A western dry and nymph assortment covers the core season. Add hoppers, October caddis, mahogany duns, and a streamer box for the complete Eagle River experience - and go smaller on your midges and BWO than you think you need.