Eagle River — Fall Fishing Report with CRO Guide Paul Killino 11/13/25

Fall is here and the Eagle River is firing on all cylinders. Low, clear water and crisp mornings have pushed fish into slower, deeper seams — the kind of places that make methodical anglers smile. Paul Killino and the crew at Colorado River Outfitters have it dialed in right now: midge activity kicks off reliably around 10:00 AM, and the bite is strong through the afternoon. Fishing the deeper, slower water with a subtle, well-presented rig is bringing some excellent fish to the net.

What’s working

• Setup: Egg (Yellow or Peach) with a dropper to a size 22 black RS2 — that egg-to-midge combo has been the ticket.

• Where the fish are: Slower, deeper runs and tailouts of pools. Look for soft seams, inside bends and the edges where current slows and fish can sit comfortably out of the main flow.

• Hatch timing: Midges start coming off near 10:00 AM, so prime action often follows that window.

A size 22 sparkle wing RS2 is Paul’s go-to fly right now.

Paul’s Pro Tips — Work Every Run Thoroughly

Paul’s motto: leave no inch un-fished. Here’s how he recommends you break a run down for consistent results.

1. Quarter the run slowly — divide the run into short, deliberate casts rather than long, showy swings. Fish often sit in micro-current breaks that a single long cast will skip over.

2. Control your drift — watch for subtle drag. Mending early and often to get a natural drift is critical in low, clear water. A perfectly dead drift on the egg and RS2 will trigger more takes.

3. Change your indicator depth in small increments — if you’re not getting looks, move your indicator up or down 6–12 inches. Fish in slow, deep water often feed at slightly different levels depending on temperature and current.

4. Target seams and eddies — cast to the seam where faster water meets slow; let your rig swing through and pause it as it drops into slack water. That pause is where many eats happen.

5. Work the tailout twice — make a high, short cast to the head of the tailout, let it swing, then cover the same lane again with a slightly different angle or depth. Fish will often respond to a second, more deliberate presentation.

6. Shorten your casts in clear water — keep casts tight and accurate. Big casts increase drag and spook wary fish in low flows.

7. Use light tippet and stay patient — 5X–6X tippet for the RS2 is common in these conditions. Present perfectly and be ready — takes can be subtle.

Quick rigs & tackle notes

• Indicator/egg as the point fly, dropper ~14–16 inches to the RS2 is a great starting point.

• Rod: 5 weight, fast action

• Tippet: 5X–6X fluorocarbon on the dropper.

The scene

The weather has been gorgeous — crisp mornings, warm afternoons — and the river is rewarding anglers who take a patient, technical approach. It’s a beautiful time of year to be on the Eagle: great fishing and incredible scenery.

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Want to fish with Paul or any of the guides at Colorado River Outfitters? Give us a call — we’d love to get you out on the water and into some fall trout. Tight lines! 🎣

📞 970-236-1937