Colorado

Eagle River

Starting in the high country towards Leadville, the Eagle River is large enough to be thus named after the confluence of Peterson Creek, Rock Creek and Fall Creek. When a larger fourth tributary, Cross Creek also joins just above the quiet town of Minturn, the Eagle is now deep and wide enough to support year around wild trout populations with consistency. Boulder lined pockets, enticing overhanging banks, and short riffles hold mostly browns; however, rainbows are making a significant comeback from mining pollution that occurred in the 80’s and early 90’s. Our wade guides have good access here with incredible views and almost no fishing pressure.

As the Eagle tumbles into the town of Edwards it quickly loses the narrow, steep gradient and now longer runs and easier seams dominate. Trout are teaming here and anglers flock to float fish beginning in late spring all the way to early August as annual flows allow. Much of this section to Wolcott is private and the best way to fish is from a raft with a skilled oarsman who can dodge the boulders, slow the pace for quality presentations, all while staying legal. In Colorado, if the land adjacent to the river is private then the river bottom is also private to an imaginary line half way across. No wading, stopping, anchoring or beaching is allowed without permission. Trout Trickers guides have been rowing the Eagle for decades and will provide a safe, gentle ride through sometimes rowdy class III rapids while putting you on the fish. We also have a private boat ramp take out on this 7 mile run that allows for a more enjoyable exit without the crowds or wait times to get a boat back on the trailer. Trout Trickers never charges our clients for this privilege.

Downstream of Wolcott to the county seat of Eagle the river continues to maintain its faster personality with exciting on-the-go opportunities by boat and excellent dry fly action. Wading is also excellent here with numerous Colorado Division of Wildlife public access points to enter the river around private property. Below Eagle and all the way to Gypsum offers mostly floatable opportunities with a vast majority of the riverbank privately owned until you arrive at the Gypsum Ponds Sate Wildlife Area offering significant wade access. A popular place for our guides to fish especially during the winter months with abundant sunshine and higher winter temperatures promoting trout activity even during the coldest weeks of the year. Below Gypsum to just above Dotsero, for the next 5 miles, the Eagle broadens and mellows providing access in a drift boat as the preferred most comfortable boat for our guests. A great place to learn, the rapids and technical casts are now replaced with easily recycled runs, calm eddies and deep tail outs.

The Eagle is known for some of the best dry fly action anywhere in the state with major hatches of BWO’s, Caddis, Golden Stones, PMD’s and Green Drakes. Be ready to test your skills with the respected Eagle River hybrid cuttbow that typically becomes airborne after being hooked displaying athletic ariel shows and spitting out flies with ego and attitude. This river is a local favorite, spawning some of the wildest, biggest and baddest trout around.