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Welcome to our blog, your ultimate resource for everything fly fishing! We offer in-depth fly fishing reports that keep you updated on the latest conditions and hotspots, helping you plan your next adventure with confidence. Dive into our expert tips on fly fishing tactics, from casting techniques to mastering different water types, so you can elevate your skills. Our detailed insect studies give you a deeper understanding of what’s hatching, ensuring you’re always prepared with the perfect fly selection. And that’s just the beginning—our blog is packed with expert advice, gear reviews, and insider insights to enhance every aspect of your fly fishing journey.
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Eagle River Fishing Report with Brian Hilbert
Eagle River - With Brian Hilbert Flow: 230cfs (at Gypsum) Clarity: 3’ Fishing Quality: 9/10 Spring fishing on the Eagle River is firing right now, and this is one of those windows you don’t want to miss. We’ve been on the water every single day for the past two months, and the consistency has been nothing short of incredible. Between strong bug activity and fish that are feeding throughout the day, it’s as good as it gets for this time of year. Here’s exactly what I’m seeing
brianchilbert
5 hours ago3 min read
The Starting Lineup – 3 Flies You Must Have for April in Colorado
Insight from CRO Guide Matt Weldon April is one of the most exciting months to be on the water here in Colorado. With the warmer-than-usual spring we’ve been experiencing, our local rivers are alive with consistent bug activity and some of the best opportunities of the year to find feeding fish. While blue wing olives and midges are still in the mix, caddis are already making a strong push, and the fish are taking notice. CRO guide Matt Weldon has been on the front lines this
brianchilbert
7 days ago3 min read
Eagle River Fishing Report With CRO Guide Sam Kinney
Eagle River: (Near Wolcott) Flow: 226 cfs ( Click Here For Current Flows ) Clarity: 3.5’- 4’ Fishing Quality: 8/10 Spring is officially rolling in across the Vail Valley, and the Eagle River has been showing us exactly why this is one of our favorite times of year to be on the water. CRO guide Sam Kinney has been logging some quality days out there, and while conditions have been a little unpredictable at times, the payoff has been more than worth it for anglers willing to ad
brianchilbert
Apr 143 min read
April Hatch Guide – Everything You Need to Know About Colorado’s Hatches in April
Hilbert’s “Day Saver Baetis” with Montana Fly Company is a perfect match for spring blue wing olives. April in Colorado is one of the most dynamic and productive months of the entire year. We’re sitting right in that pre-runoff window where flows begin to creep up, bugs are active, and trout are feeding hard. If you know what to look for and how to adjust, this can be some of the best fishing you’ll experience all season. Let’s break down everything you need to know to dial i
brianchilbert
Apr 65 min read
Vail Valley Fishing Report – Conditions, Flows & What’s Working
Spring fishing across the Vail Valley is delivering some excellent days on the water, but rapidly changing flows and weather are creating a mix of opportunity and challenge depending on where you go. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what we’re seeing right now and how to approach each river. Colorado River (Pump House) Flow: 205 cfs Clarity: 4’- 5’+ Fishing: 8/10 Flows dropped dramatically Wednesday from 600 cfs down to 190 cfs. We haven’t seen water this low in a long time, an
brianchilbert
Apr 34 min read
CRO Oar Certification & Guide Training
Build the Foundation for a Successful Fly Fishing Guide Career If you’ve ever dreamed about becoming a professional fly fishing guide, there’s one skillset that separates good anglers from great guides… the ability to safely and confidently operate a drift boat in real river conditions. At Colorado River Outfitters, we’ve built our CRO Oar Certification & Guide Training to give aspiring guides the exact foundation they need to succeed on the water from day one. This is not a
brianchilbert
Apr 34 min read
Vail Valley Fishing Report – Weekend Outlook
Spring fishing in the Vail Valley is firing on all cylinders right now, and heading into the weekend, conditions could not be lining up much better. Stable flows, excellent clarity, and consistent midge and blue wing olive hatches have trout feeding aggressively throughout the day. If you’ve been waiting for the right time to get out, this is it. Our team at Colorado River Outfitters has these fisheries completely dialed right now, and we’re seeing some of the most consistent
brianchilbert
Mar 204 min read
The Starting Lineup – 3 Flies You MUST Have for the Month of March
If there’s one thing we preach this time of year at Colorado River Outfitters, it’s this: March is go-time. Big fish, empty river corridors, and some of the most consistent hatch-driven fishing of the entire year—it simply doesn’t get much better. But success in March isn’t about carrying hundreds of flies. It’s about confidence in a dialed, proven system. CRO guide and Montana Fly Company signature fly designer Brian Hilbert keeps it simple with a deadly 3-fly lineup that co
brianchilbert
Mar 174 min read
Vail Valley Fly Fishing Report
Early Spring Conditions – Eagle River, Colorado River & Roaring Fork River Spring fishing across the Vail Valley is firing on all cylinders right now. Low flows, crystal clear water, and dependable insect activity are creating some of the best fishing of the year. While many anglers are still waiting for summer conditions, experienced anglers know that March is one of the most productive and underrated times to fish our local rivers. Guides Brian Hilbert and Matt Fletcher hav
brianchilbert
Mar 135 min read
March Hatch Guide – Everything You Need to Know About Colorado Hatches in March
March in Colorado is one of the most exciting months of the year for trout anglers. As winter thaws and the rivers begin to swell with snowmelt, fish start to key in on emerging hatches. While conditions can still be variable, March offers incredible opportunities for targeting a variety of hatches, particularly spring midges and blue wing olives, alongside opportunistic feeders like leeches, cranefly larvae, and trout eggs. Whether you’re fishing the Roaring Fork, Eagle, or
brianchilbert
Mar 34 min read
Fishing Report - 2/28/26 — Roaring Fork River, Colorado & Eagle River
This Fish Of A Lifetime Was Caught Yesterday On A Guide Trip With CRO Guide Paul Killino. This Fish Measured 30 3/4” In Length! Late winter is delivering phenomenal conditions across our local waters, and with flows low, clear, and unusually warm temps, anglers willing to adapt their strategy are being rewarded with incredible action. Below is your detailed breakdown of current conditions, hatches, fly selections, and tactics for each river, plus insider tips from our guides
brianchilbert
Feb 283 min read
JOIN THE CATTLE CREEK CONFLUENCE COALITION
Defend the Cattle Creek Confluence from irreversible, large-scale development and preserve one of Garfield County ’s last critical open spaces The Land Needs Us Now! There are moments in a community’s history when silence becomes complicity. The proposed development at the confluence of Cattle Creek and the Roaring Fork River is one of those moments. This is not simply a zoning discussion or another routine planning case. It is a defining decision that will determine whether
brianchilbert
Feb 195 min read
Winter Fishing Report – February 13, 2026 With insights from Matt Fletcher
This mild winter continues to deliver outstanding opportunities across our local waters, and according to CRO guide Matt Fletcher, anglers who stay flexible and fish with intention are being rewarded with steady action, healthy fish, and surprisingly comfortable days on the river. With consistent daytime warmth, stable flows, and minimal angling pressure, mid-February is shaping up to be one of the sleeper windows of the season. Below is your full breakdown of where to go, ho
brianchilbert
Feb 133 min read
The Starting Lineup – 3 Flies You MUST Have For The Month Of February
February doesn’t get the respect it deserves. Cold mornings, quiet ramps, empty runs—and some of the most consistent, technical, and rewarding fishing of the year if you know how to approach it. Late winter on our local Colorado waters is all about midges, and not just any midges, size, depth, sequencing, and presentation matter more now than any other time of year. To cut through the noise, we sat down with Colorado River Outfitters veteran guide Matt Weldon to break down th
brianchilbert
Feb 94 min read
February Hatch Guide: Technical Winter Fishing, Simplified
February is a month that separates patient, observant anglers from those just going through the motions. The rivers are cold, clear, and often quiet, but don’t be fooled. Beneath the surface, trout are feeding with purpose. If there’s one insect that defines February fishing, it’s the midge. Midges are present year-round, but in winter they become the most reliable and important food source available to trout. Success this month hinges on weather and observation. Warmer days,
brianchilbert
Feb 14 min read
6 Classic “Guide Fly” Patterns to Tie on Snow Days
When winter grabs hold and the rivers slow down, our guides turn their attention to the tying vise. Snow days are prime time to restock fly boxes, sharpen skills, and crank out patterns we know we’ll reach for all season long. Classic “guide flies” are easy and quick to tie, and more importantly, they’re deadly effective. These patterns have been around forever, but they’ve stood the test of time for one simple reason: they work. Here are 6 flies our CRO guides fish nearly ye
flyfish19
Jan 262 min read
THE STARTING LINEUP: 3 Flies You Must Have for the Month of January with Matt Fletcher
January fly fishing separates the anglers who are willing to slow down, dial it in, and fish with intention from everyone else. Winter conditions demand a different mindset, and when you approach it correctly, some of the best and most technical fishing of the year happens right now. According to CRO guide Matt Fletcher, success in January comes down to understanding fish behavior, timing your day correctly, and carrying the right flies. Think of this as your winter starting
flyfish19
Jan 113 min read
Eagle River Fishing Report – Dec 26th, 2025
Our guides have been busy all week leading up to Christmas, and the Eagle River has been fishing exceptionally well for those willing to put hitting the slopes on hold. Thanks to warmer than normal temperatures, we have seen consistent midge activity and cooperative trout across much of the river. Wade trips have been especially productive, with fish feeding steadily during the warmest parts of the day. Winter fishing on the Eagle is often overlooked, but right now it is ver
flyfish19
Dec 26, 20254 min read
Floating vs. Wading: A Complete Breakdown of Guided Fly Fishing Trips
One of the most common questions anglers ask when booking a guided fly fishing trip is deceptively simple: “Should I float or should I wade?” The truth is, there’s no universal right answer and that’s what makes the conversation interesting. Floating and wading offer fundamentally different ways to experience a river, learn the sport, and approach fish. Each has clear advantages, real limitations, and moments where it absolutely shines. Whether you’re brand new to fly fishing
flyfish19
Dec 18, 20254 min read
Winter Fly Fishing Tips with CRO Guide Brian Hilbert
Winter fly fishing can be some of the most rewarding trout fishing of the year—if you approach it with the right mindset and tactics. Fewer anglers, clear water, and predictable fish behavior all stack the odds in your favor. But winter trout are also cold, deliberate, and unforgiving of sloppy presentations. After years of guiding through Colorado winters, CRO guide Brian Hilbert has refined a simple, highly effective approach to consistently put more trout in the net when w
flyfish19
Dec 13, 20253 min read
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