Eagle River Fishing Report: Vail Fly Fishing Conditions

What	When	Key Numbers
Eagle River	VOLUNTARY CLOSURE Edwards→Dotsero; upper open mornings	~100 CFS at Gypsum, historic low; Gold Medal
Gore Creek	Morning-only fishing; monitor water temps	~40 CFS, low but fishable; 16" min size; Gold Medal
Summer temps	Fish before noon, stop at 67°F	Water hitting 77°F+ by afternoon on Eagle
Guided float	NOT viable at current flows	$500-850/day for 1-2 anglers
Fly shop	Vail Valley Anglers	(970) 926-0900, Edwards

CAUTION

Stale (16+ days)

Eagle River

Closed

Flow95-105 CFS

Trendstable

Clarityclear

Temp55-77°F

TDJ Sunken Trico #20-22CDC Biot Trico Spinner #20-22Gray Sparkle Wing RS2 #20-24Darth Baetis #20-24

⚠️ FULL-DAY VOLUNTARY CLOSURE REMAINS IN EFFECT from Lake Creek in Edwards downstream to the Colorado River confluence (CPW/Minturn Anglers 8/21). CPW continues to ask anglers to respect this closure to avoid the need for a mandatory order. Water temperatures are peaking near 77°F at Gypsum and 74.5°F at Wolcott (CPW 8/25)—well above the 68°F stress threshold for trout. DO NOT FISH THE LOWER OR MIDDLE EAGLE. Flows remain at historic lows around 95-105 CFS at Gypsum (USGS)—a fraction of the historical median for late August. The river is in full summer stress mode with no relief in sight until seasonal cooling arrives. UPPER EAGLE (Camp Hale to Edwards) REMAINS OPEN and offers the only viable fishing in the corridor. Cooler nighttime temps are keeping the upper river consistently cool enough for early morning fishing (Minturn Anglers 8/21) when water temps are in the mid-50s. Fish BEFORE 10am and carry a thermometer—stop immediately when temps approach 67°F. Water clarity is excellent throughout the system at these low flows. HATCHES: Trico spinners remain the dominant morning hatch on the upper river—look for spinner falls from 8-10am. BWOs continue showing on overcast mornings. Caddis activity has tapered significantly from the June-July peak but scattered adults remain. Midges are always present. UV Midge patterns in black/brown #18-22 are producing subsurface. TACTICS: dry-dropper rigs are the most productive approach right now—they cover both surface and subsurface feeding and snag less than traditional nymph rigs at these low flows (Minturn Anglers 8/21). Small beadhead nymphs are the ticket: perdigons (tan/purple #16-20), pheasant tails, and baetis patterns dropped below a Chubby Chernobyl #8-14 or small hopper. Small terrestrials—ants and beetles—are producing as dry flies. At ~100 CFS with gin-clear water, stealth is paramount—6X-7X tippet, long leaders (12-15'), low profile approaches. Trico spinner patterns (#20-22) in the morning, drop to RS2s #20-24 or Darth Baetis #20-24 below. When fish refuse dries, swing an emerger like an RS2 or Remote Control behind your dry (VVA tip). Streamers can still move big fish at first light—Thin Mints, Mini Dungeons, small leeches fished on short strips tight to banks. FLOAT FISHING: absolutely impossible at ~100 CFS. This is exclusively a wade/sight-fishing situation. Keep all fish in the water during handling—mortality risk is elevated at these temperatures. BOTTOM LINE: the Eagle is in conservation mode. Fish the upper river at dawn if you must, but consider redirecting to the Colorado River at Pumphouse or the newly reopened Roaring Fork River (~800 CFS, low 60s) for better overall conditions.

Gore Creek

Fishable

Flow35-45 CFS

Trendstable

Clarityclear

Temp52-68°F

CDC Biot Trico Spinner #20-22TDJ Sunken Trico #20-22Parachute Adams #18-24Chubby Chernobyl #8-14

LOW SUMMER FLOWS—MORNING FISHING ONLY. Gore Creek is running around 35-45 CFS at the Eagle confluence—still below the ideal 50-100 CFS window but water temperatures have remained consistently cool thanks to cooler nighttime temps (Minturn Anglers 8/21). Water clarity is excellent—gin-clear, which means these educated Gold Medal trout are seeing everything and are very spooky at these flows. Long, light leaders and fluorocarbon tippet are essential. The creek is fully fishable in the early morning when water temps are in the low 50s, but CARRY A THERMOMETER and stop fishing when temps approach 67°F. By early afternoon on hot days, temps can approach 68°F+ in the lower sections—do not fish. SIGHT FISHING IS PRIME: the low, clear water provides exceptional visibility for spotting and targeting individual fish—some very good sight fishing to pretty big trout right now (VVA). Fish are concentrated in deeper seams and faster runs at these low flows (Minturn Anglers 8/21)—target those holding lies rather than fishing the thin water. HATCHES: Midges, BWOs, Caddis, and PMDs are all on the menu. Trico spinners remain the primary morning event—spinner falls between 8-10am produce excellent dry fly fishing to rising fish. Midges are consistent throughout. BWOs show on overcast mornings. Small caddis and PMDs are still showing. Terrestrials (ants, beetles, small hoppers) are increasingly important—small ants and beetles are the most productive dry flies right now (Minturn Anglers 8/21). TACTICS: DRY-DROPPER RIGS are the most productive approach and snag less than traditional nymph rigs at these low flows (Minturn Anglers 8/21). A Chubby Chernobyl #8-14 or Hippie Stomper #12-14 with a small beadhead nymph dropped below—perdigons (tan/purple #16-20), pheasant tails #18-24, or baetis patterns. Ultra-light approach is mandatory: 7X fluorocarbon tippet, 12-15' leaders, 2-3 weight rod. Approach from downstream, stay low, minimize false casts. A red midge below a Parachute Adams remains a particularly effective combo (VVA). Trico spinner patterns (#20-22) in the morning, drop to Pheasant Tail #18-24 or Zebra Midge #18-22 below a small dry. Streamers at first light can still move larger fish—Thin Mints and small leeches stripped tight to structure. BEST SECTIONS: East Vail above town runs cooler and clears faster—start there on hot days. The Gold Medal stretch (Red Sandstone to Eagle confluence) holds bigger fish but gets warmer sooner. BOTTOM LINE: fishable but fragile. Dawn to 10am is your window. If you're not a morning person, head to the Colorado River at Pumphouse or the Roaring Fork (closure lifted 8/20) instead.

Colorado River

Fishable

Flow680-730 CFS

Trendfalling

Clarityclear

Temp55-70°F

Adams Parachute #14-16Elk Hair Caddis #12-18CDC Baetis Dun #18-22Hopper #6-10

THE COLORADO AT PUMPHOUSE REMAINS THE BEST OPTION IN THE VAIL VALLEY. Flows have continued dropping to 700-730 CFS at Kremmling (Minturn Anglers 8/21), down from 746 CFS earlier in the week and still trending lower. Reservoir releases are maintaining fishable conditions but flows are running well below seasonal normal. Water clarity is excellent—clear throughout the Pumphouse corridor. Fishing has been terrific on most days (Cutthroat Anglers 8/19). WATER TEMPS ARE THE CRITICAL FACTOR: running 60-70°F with temps reaching the upper 60s at State Bridge on warm afternoons (Minturn Anglers 8/21). Air temps are scorching—topping 101°F—so water temps climb fast by midday. Some dead fish have been observed—careful handling is absolutely critical right now (Minturn Anglers 8/21). This is MORNING WATER—plan to fish from first light until noon, then call it. Bring a thermometer and stop at 68°F, no exceptions. Seek out well-oxygenated riffle heads and tributary confluences where cooler water bleeds in—trout stack up there as the day heats up. HATCHES: Tricos are the primary morning hatch—spinner falls producing consistent surface feeding from 8-10am. Black RS2s (#20-24) are particularly effective during Trico activity (Minturn Anglers 8/21). Red Quills are showing—subsurface nymphs like red perdigons and Two-Bit Hookers #16-20 are producing well (Minturn Anglers 8/21). Caddis remain active—Corn-fed Caddis CDC in Tan and Olive #20 are effective (Fly Fish Food 8/16). BWOs show on overcast mornings. PMDs still present in smaller numbers—Tungsten Split Case PMD #20 producing subsurface. TERRESTRIALS ARE KEY: hopper/dropper combos remain the go-to late August strategy. A foam hopper #8-10 or Dave's Hopper #8-10 with a Flashback Pheasant Tail #14-20 or Zebra Midge #18-22 dropped below is deadly through the morning hours. Ants (#8-12) and beetles are increasingly productive along grassy banks. NYMPHING: nymph rigs remain the most productive way to catch fish overall (Cutthroat Anglers 8/19). Pat's Rubber Legs #10-14 as anchor, drop to Egan's GTI Caddis Olive #12, Chronic Caddis #14-16, Mercer's Poxyback Micro Stone #14-18, or Sparkle Wing RS2 #18-22. Stonefly nymphs remain productive subsurface. STREAMERS: early morning before the sun hits the water—Barely Legal, Sparkle Minnow, Slump Buster #2-6 stripped tight to banks and structure. WADE FISHING: outstanding access at Pumphouse and Radium. At ~700 CFS the river is below the minimum float threshold—wade fishing is the primary approach. The downstream meadow section below Pumphouse parking offers braids, riffles, and undercut banks with excellent sight-fishing. FLOAT FISHING: not recommended at current flows—below minimum threshold even for experienced rowers. VOLUNTARY CLOSURE NOTE: the section from Red Dirt Creek downstream to the Hwy 13 bridge in Rifle has a full-day voluntary closure due to temps exceeding 71°F. Additionally, a noon-to-midnight closure is in effect from Windy Gap Dam downstream to Williams Fork confluence (CPW 8/25). The Pumphouse-to-State Bridge section upstream of those closures remains OPEN but respect the temp threshold. State Bridge to Catamount is also fishable mornings but monitor temps closely as upper 60s have been recorded at State Bridge. BOTTOM LINE: the 45-minute drive from Vail is absolutely worth it right now. This is the best trout fishing within striking distance of the valley—just fish mornings and handle every fish with extreme care given the stress conditions.

🎣 TACTICS RIGHT NOW

Dry Fly

CDC Biot Trico Spinner #20-22Parachute Adams #16-22Chubby Chernobyl #8-14Hippie Stomper #12-14Hopper #6-10Dave's Hopper #8-10Amy's Ants #8-12Small Beetle #14-18Elk Hair Caddis #12-18CDC Baetis Dun #18-22Sprout Midge #20-22Matthews Sparkle Dun BWO #18-22Film Critic BWO #18Christiansons BWO #18-20CDC Morgan's Midge #20-22Renegade #18-22Hot Mess Caddis #16-18Missing Link Caddis #16-18Corn-fed Caddis CDC Tan #20Adams Parachute #14-16

Nymph

TDJ Sunken Trico #20-22Gray Sparkle Wing RS2 #20-24RS2 Crystal Wing Black #20-24Darth Baetis #20-24Pat's Rubber Legs #10-14Golden Stone #12-16Flashback Pheasant Tail #14-20Egan's GTI Caddis Olive #12Tungsten Split Case PMD #20Black Rainbow Warrior #16-22Zebra Midge Black/Red/Olive #18-22Red Demon Midge #18-22Crystal Midge #20-22RS2 Olive/Grey #18-24Blow Torch #16-18Taz Devil #16-18Daddy's Caddis #16-18Fly Formerly Known As Prince #14-18Jiggy Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail #12-16I Can See It Midge #14-16Olsen's Straggle Stone Brown #12Perdigon Tan/Purple #16-20Two-Bit Hooker #16-20Frenchie #16-20Pheasant Tail #18-24

Streamer

Galloup's Dungeon #4-8Thin Mint #4-8Baby Gonga #4-6Mini Dungeon #4-6Rusty Trombone #4-6Barely Legal #4-6Sparkle Minnow #4-6Slump Buster #2-6Pine Squirrel Leeches #6-10Small Olive/Black Leeches #6-10Wooly Bugger Olive/Black #6-10

THE COLORADO RIVER AT PUMPHOUSE IS YOUR #1 OPTION from the Vail Valley right now—the 45-minute drive is absolutely worth it. At ~700 CFS with clear water and temps of 55-70°F, it's the most productive and least restricted water within striking distance. Fishing has been terrific on most days (Cutthroat Anglers 8/19). Fish mornings only—air temps are topping 101°F and water hits the upper 60s by early afternoon. Nymph rigs are the most productive overall—Pat's Rubber Legs with Flashback Pheasant Tail or Sparkle Wing RS2 dropped below. Hopper/dropper is the go-to late August approach for covering water: foam hopper #8-10 with Flashback Pheasant Tail #14-20 or Zebra Midge #18-22 dropped below. Trico spinner falls from 8-10am produce excellent dry fly fishing—black RS2s #20-24 are particularly effective during Trico activity (Minturn Anglers 8/21). Red Quills are showing; try red perdigons and Two-Bit Hookers #16-20 subsurface. Terrestrials (ants, hoppers, beetles) are increasingly important on all waters. THE EAGLE RIVER IS UNDER A FULL-DAY VOLUNTARY CLOSURE from Edwards downstream to Dotsero—water temps peaking near 77°F at Gypsum. DO NOT FISH the middle or lower Eagle. The upper Eagle (Camp Hale to Edwards) remains open with consistently cool morning water temps (Minturn Anglers 8/21). Dry-dropper rigs are the most productive approach—Chubby Chernobyl #8-14 with small beadhead perdigons or pheasant tails dropped below. Small terrestrials (ants, beetles) are the top dry flies. Flows around 100 CFS are historically low and stealth is everything—6X-7X tippet, long leaders, downstream approach. GORE CREEK is running around 35-45 CFS with gin-clear water—fish are concentrated in deeper seams and faster runs (Minturn Anglers 8/21). Technical sight fishing to pretty big trout is possible at dawn. East Vail sections above town run cooler and are your best bet. Ultra-light gear (2-3 wt, 7X fluorocarbon) is mandatory. NEW OPTION: the Roaring Fork River closure was lifted 8/20 with flows around 800 CFS and temps in the low 60s—excellent conditions and worth the drive from Vail. Overall late August strategy: drive to Pumphouse or the Roaring Fork for the most reliable morning fishing, or fish the upper Eagle/upper Gore Creek at first light if you want to stay local—but be off the water by 10am on hot days. Monitor temps religiously. Handle all fish with extreme care—some dead fish observed on the Colorado (Minturn Anglers 8/21). Float fishing is not viable anywhere in the valley at current flows.

FORECASTThe Vail Valley remains deep into its toughest stretch of 2026 but we are now approaching the final days before seasonal relief. The Eagle River is holding around 100 CFS at Gypsum—a historic low for late August and a fraction of the typical 300-500 CFS summer baseline. Water temps on the middle and lower Eagle are peaking near 77°F at Gypsum and 74.5°F at Wolcott, and the full-day voluntary closure from Edwards to Dotsero remains in effect. CPW is asking anglers to respect the closure to avoid the need for a mandatory order. The upper Eagle remains open with consistently cool morning temps. Gore Creek is running around 35-45 CFS with cool morning water—fish are concentrated in deeper seams and faster runs. The Colorado River at Pumphouse continues as the valley's saving grace, though flows have dropped to ~700 CFS and are still trending lower. Fishing there has been terrific on most days but some dead fish have been observed (Minturn Anglers 8/21)—handle every fish with extreme care. POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT: CPW lifted the voluntary closure on the Roaring Fork River on August 20 after Ruedi Reservoir releases increased streamflows and decreased water temperatures (Summit Daily 8/19). The Roaring Fork is now fishing at ~800 CFS with temps in the low 60s—excellent conditions and a strong alternative to the Colorado for Vail-area anglers willing to drive. The broader picture: 2026's below-average snowpack has produced one of the lowest-flow summers in recent memory. We are now in the final week of the toughest period—historically, water temps begin dropping into the safe zone by mid-September and the Eagle River enters its best fishing of the year (fall BWOs, pre-spawn browns, streamer season). Until then, this is a patience game. Bottom line: drive to Pumphouse or the Roaring Fork for the most reliable fishing, respect the Eagle River voluntary closure, and look forward to a likely excellent fall season as temps moderate.Late August heat continues to dominate the Vail Valley. Air temps are topping 101°F in the lower elevations, driving water temperatures to dangerously high levels on the Eagle River (77°F at Gypsum, 74.5°F at Wolcott) and Gore Creek (approaching 68°F+ by afternoon on hot days). The Colorado at Pumphouse is faring better thanks to reservoir releases but reaches the upper 60s at State Bridge on warm afternoons. Afternoon thunderstorms remain a daily possibility and provide temporary cooling relief—plan to be off exposed water by early afternoon for lightning safety. Cooler nighttime temps continue to help all three rivers reset by morning—Gore Creek and upper Eagle have maintained consistently cool morning temps (Minturn Anglers 8/21). The key window for fishing is dawn to 10am before the sun heats shallow water. Looking ahead: we are entering the final stretch before seasonal relief. The shift toward cooler nights typically accelerates in late August and into September, which should begin moderating water temps on the Eagle and Gore Creek. The Roaring Fork closure lift on 8/20 suggests reservoir management is actively helping—if similar efforts are applied to the Colorado system, conditions could improve. If the current heat pattern breaks, conditions could improve rapidly—the Eagle fishes exceptionally well in the 55-65°F range with stable fall flows. Monitor weather forecasts for any cold front that could trigger an early improvement. Flows are unlikely to change significantly without major precipitation—the snowpack is long gone and reservoir releases are the primary flow driver on the Colorado. The Eagle and Gore Creek, as undammed freestone streams, are entirely dependent on groundwater and precipitation at this point.

CFS	Conditions
Under 100	Winter flows - technical, fish midday when water warms
100-400	Good wade fishing
400-800	Ideal wading - optimal for most anglers
500-700	Minimum floatable in a 14' raft (experienced rowers)
700-2,000	Ideal float fishing - drift boats and rafts
2,000-3,000+	Peak runoff - float only, fishing tough

Location	Directions	Parking	Notes
Eagle River Preserve	Hwy 6 west of Edwards	Pulloff on Hwy 6	Over 1 mile of pocket water; March-April, July-Nov best
Edwards Sanitation Plant	West Edwards off Hwy 6	Small lot	Boat ramp for float trips
Horn Ranch	Past BLM Climbing Rock Campground, west of Wolcott	Multiple spots off Hwy 6	1+ mile of wade fishing; large rainbows; summer/fall best
BLM Climbing Rock	West of Wolcott on Hwy 6	Campground lot	Good put-in/take-out; wade access
Wolcott Campground	Hwy 6 at Wolcott	Campground	BLM/DOW lease access
Red Canyon Canyonwoods	Hwy 6 between Wolcott and Eagle	Pulloffs	BLM access
Brush Creek Confluence	West of Eagle town, Hwy 6	Hwy 6 pulloff	Restored area; access to both Eagle River and Brush Creek; large trout
Eagle County Fairgrounds	Town of Eagle	Lot at fairgrounds	Easy wade access
Duck Pond Open Space	West of Gypsum, Hwy 6	Hwy 6 access	Lower Eagle; large browns; future boat ramp planned
Gypsum BLM Community Site	West of Gypsum	BLM lot	Take-out option

CFS	Conditions
30-50	Low winter flows - excellent sight fishing, fish midday
50-100	Good year-round fishing
100-200	Higher but fishable
200+	Runoff conditions - murky, dangerous wading

Location	Directions	Parking	Notes
Stephens Park	I-70 Exit 173 (West Vail), follow frontage road	Street parking	Good wade access to Gold Medal water
Red Sandstone Park	725 N. Frontage Road	15 spaces, 7 days/week	Gold Medal section begins here
West Vail Mall area	I-70 Exit 173, North Frontage Road	50 free spaces across from mall	Walk to creek
West of roundabout	North Frontage Road west of West Vail roundabout	80 free spaces	Less crowded
Exit 176 (Vail Village)	Take west frontage roads	Limited, pay lots nearby	Pressured but productive
Exit 171 (Dowd Junction)	Near Gore-Eagle confluence	Pulloffs	Lower Gold Medal water
Gore Creek Campground	I-70 Exit 180 (East Vail), south frontage road 2 miles	Campground lot	Upper creek; brook and cutthroat trout

CFS	Conditions
200-350	Excellent wading
700-2,500	Ideal drift boat range
2,500-5,000	High but floatable for experienced rowers

Hatch	Timing	Size	Best Patterns
Midges	Year-round, peak winter	18-24	Zebra Midge, Sprout Midge, Griffith's Gnat
BWOs	Mar-May, Sep-Nov	18-22	Parachute Adams, RS2, Juju Baetis
Caddis	Late May-Oct	12-18	Elk Hair Caddis, Tan Stimulator, Guide's Choice
PMDs	Early Jul-Aug	14-18	Pink Foam Parachute, Quasimodo Pheasant Tail, Melon Quill
Golden Stones	Jul-Aug	4-10	Pat's Rubberleg, Twenty Incher, VVA Rubberleg
Yellow Sallies	Jul-Aug	14-16	Yellow Foam Stone, Yellow Elk Hair Caddis, Corn Fed Sally
Tricos	Aug-Sep, late morning	20-24	Trico Spinners, small Parachute Adams
Green Drakes	Late Jun-Jul (Roaring Fork)	10-14	Parawulff, Sparkledun Green Drake, CDC Thorax
Terrestrials	Jul-Sep	8-14	Hoppers, ants, beetles

Section	Distance	Put-in	Take-out	Character
Edwards to Wolcott	7-14 miles	Edwards Sanitation Plant (boat ramp)	BLM Climbing Rock	Best private water, 18-22" fish
Wolcott to Eagle	~10 miles	BLM Climbing Rock	Eagle County Fairgrounds	Continuous Class II+ with 3 notable rapids
Eagle to Gypsum	Variable	Fairgrounds or below	Duck Pond/BLM sites	Lower canyon, more public access

Section	Pressure Level	Best Strategy
Upper Eagle (Camp Hale to Avon)	Low	Go here for solitude, smaller fish
Middle Eagle (Edwards to Wolcott)	Medium-High	Book a guided float to access private water
Lower Eagle (Wolcott to Dotsero)	Medium-High (peak season)	Fish fall when tourists leave
Gore Creek (Vail Village)	High	Fish early morning or West Vail/Red Sandstone area
Gore Creek (East Vail)	Low-Medium	Better for solitude

Quick Reference

CAUTION

Overview

Primary Waters

Eagle River

Eagle River Access Points (Detailed)

Gore Creek

Gore Creek Access Points (Detailed)

Colorado River

Roaring Fork River

Seasonal Patterns

Winter (December-March)

Spring (April-May)

Summer (June-August)

Fall (September-October) - BEST FISHING

Hatch Chart

Float Fishing

Float Sections & Put-ins

Rapids to Know

Shuttle Service

Guided Float Pricing (Typical)

Local Fly Shops & Guides

Fishing Pressure & When to Go

Avoiding Crowds

Whitewater & Rafting

Regulations Summary

Safety Considerations

Planning Your Trip

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