The fly fishing on the Eagle River is excellent right now. Trout are consistently rising through the warmest parts of the day giving us great dry fly opportunities. Small Blue Winged Olives and Midges have been abundant throughout the water column. Take your time getting to the river, the crowds are light and the fishing is not getting good until 11ish. The river flows have increased with the melting snow but it is barely noticeable. The Eagle River is at a good level for wading and the Trout are easy to find. Look for slower slicks and deeper buckets. There are some fish in the shallow riffles but they are starting to move into their winter lies.

Numerous fly patterns have been working but try not to over think it. A size 20 Parachute Adams caught 90% of the fish yesterday. The Paul Zimmerman shuck midge was also taking fish off the surface. The river is very clear so lighter tippet (5x-6x) has helped enticing the picky trout slow rolling in the shallow slicks. If you must throw a bobber, start with midge emergers and add smaller Baetis into the mix as the day moves on. Chocolate Thunder, RS2, Barr’s BWO, Slim Shady, Zebra Midge (olive) and WD40. Be sure to add very little weight to start, as many of the trout have been suspended higher in the water column. The streamer bite has been good on most days. Leave your giant double hook articulated pike flies in the truck and try a streamer with a smaller profile. Size 10 slump busters in olive and natural have been getting a ton of attention. A small black motor oil streamer pattern has also been getting fish to eat. Don’t get me wrong I like the big nasty streamers, but with the water so low and clear it has been my experience that you get more follows than eats on larger streamer patterns.

The weather forecast is as nice as it can get for November. Give us a call for last minute reports or to book a fly fishing trip. 970-368-5959. See you on the water.