The Eagle River
The Eagle River begins at the Continental Divide, flowing 70 miles west to its confluence with the Colorado River in Western Eagle County. It boasts 60 miles of fishable water and 9 boat ramps, including our private ramp, which is located on the finest dry fly fishing waters in the state. Known for its abundance of Rainbow, Brown, and the occasional Cutthroat Trout, the Eagle offers a fantastic variety for anglers. If you enjoy fast action and precision casting, floating the river with one of our experienced guides is the perfect way to experience it. For a truly exclusive fishing experience, our private stretch of river provides uncrowded, pristine waters to fish.
Hatches & Seasons
Fly fishing on the Eagle River is productive year-round, with peak dry fly action taking place from July through October. During this time, you’ll encounter prolific hatches of Caddis, Yellow Sallies, Green Drakes, PMDs, Tricos, and Midges—making it an ideal location for dry fly fishing.
The Caddis Hatch is the most famous event on the river, beginning in May and picking up again in July. During this hatch, fish eagerly take Caddis imitations—whether dead-drifted or skated—creating thrilling action. Early spring also offers exceptional fishing with BWO hatches, where you can cast small dries to big Rainbow Trout. As summer progresses, larger bugs like Green Drakes, Golden Stones, and Yellow Sallies make an appearance, followed by PMDs and Tricos later in the season.
The spring shoulder season can be some of the best fishing of the year, especially as water levels rise and the streamer bite intensifies. With fewer anglers on the water, fish are aggressive, and our guides are constantly monitoring water levels to find the perfect conditions for floating. Once the flow is right, we launch our custom rafts to present streamers to fish that haven’t seen many flies in months.
Where We Go
The Eagle River offers classic freestone fishing with excellent trout habitat. The upper stretches feature narrow pocket water, and plunge pools with large boulders along steep banks. The river widens near Avon, where commercial rafting companies run trips through white-water sections. Our guided floats typically begin just west of Edwards and end in Wolcott, covering 7-14 miles of outstanding nymphing, dry fly fishing, and streamer banks. In late summer, we also float the lower Eagle River, from Eagle to Gypsum. Our float season typically wraps up by late July, but in years with significant snowpacks, it can extend even longer.
The Eagle River
For a fast-paced, technical fishing experience, the Eagle River is perfect. Our cabin sits on a private stretch, so you can watch trout rise from the porch while you unwind. After fishing, relax with a cold drink while our guides handle the gear. Experience world-class fly fishing in Vail Valley.
Other Rivers
The Colorado River
