Eagle River Fishing Report – Afternoon with CRO Guide Sam Kinney

The Eagle near Wolcott produced another fun and productive afternoon session this week. With a mix of sporadic cloud cover, conditions set up nicely for some consistent action, even if the afternoon winds made us work a little harder than usual. If you’re looking to get out on the water for a quick afternoon outing, this report should set you up for success.

On the Water

Early in the day, we spotted plenty of trout backs and tails poking up in the tailouts, sipping emergers. Unfortunately, with the current low flows, those fish were tricky and not willing to play. Rather than burn time on stubborn risers, we moved into deeper, faster runs where trout were more cooperative.

The real highlight of the day came in the fast riffles. That’s where the fish were truly feeding with confidence, and once we dialed in the right depth and weight, the action turned steady. One important tip from today: don’t skimp on weight. Those bugs are cooking through the riffles quickly, and the only way to keep flies in the strike zone was to get them down fast.

Flies That Worked

When fall conditions set in and trout key in on small bugs, fly selection and rigging make all the difference. Here are three patterns that proved highly effective:

Hilbert’s Day Saver Baetis – Size 22

This micro baetis pattern shines when fish get picky during clear water and sunny conditions. Fished in combination with an attractor like a leech on a nymph rig, it imitates the tiny mayflies that trout often refuse to ignore. Go light on your tippet (5x–6x fluorocarbon) and present with a natural drift in fast riffles and deep pools.

Split Back BWO – Size 20

A classic blue-wing olive nymph, the Split Back is a must when BWOs are emerging on cloudy afternoons. Rig it mid-column on a two-fly nymph rig about 18–24 inches below your lead fly. Focus on riffles that transition into slower water—prime feeding lanes for trout staging on emergers.

Hilbert’s Sexi Top – Size 20

This versatile baetis variation produces consistently during active hatches. It’s especially deadly when fished higher in the column, either on a shallow nymph rig or as a trailer off a small dry fly in a dry-dropper setup. Its profile fools selective trout feeding on emergers just below the surface film.

Pro Tips From Sam Kinney for Fall Fishing on the Eagle

1. Target riffles and pocket water. With lower flows, trout push into faster water for both oxygen and food. Don’t ignore the shallow, broken water — it often holds the most active fish.

2. Go small, but don’t go light on weight. Size 20–22 Baetis and BWOs are key right now, but they’re only effective if you can get them into the feeding lane quickly. Err on the side of adding more weight.

3. Watch for windows of cloud cover. The best flurries of activity often line up with passing clouds. When the sun dips behind cover, be ready — fish often feed with more confidence in those short windows.

Takeaway

Fall fishing on the Eagle continues to be strong despite low flows. Focus on the faster water, keep your rigs heavy enough to reach the strike zone quickly, and you’ll find fish willing to eat.

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