Eagle River Fly Fishing Report – April 18 With Matt Fletcher, Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
- flyfish19
- Apr 19
- 2 min read
Spring is in the air, and according to Matt Fletcher—veteran guide with Colorado River Outfitters—the fishing is heating up right along with the weather. With our local freestone rivers still holding in pre-runoff conditions, anglers are enjoying great accessibility for both wading and floating. Temps are fluctuating from the high 30s in the mornings to low 50s by afternoon, creating a dynamic and productive day on the water.
Best Times to Fish
Matt recommends hitting the water early or late if you’re into streamer action—8–10 AM and again from 5–7 PM have been especially productive. For nymphing and dry fly fishing, aim for that sweet spot between 10 AM and 2 PM, when bug activity is at its peak.
Morning Streamer Bite
“If you’re looking for big eats, mornings have been killer,” says Matt. Larger predators are on the move and aggressively chasing streamers in the colder water. He suggests throwing Slumpbusters in olive, black, or natural (sizes 6–10) for the best results—especially on cloudy days when fish feel more confident coming out to hunt.
Midday Hatch Match
As the sun climbs, so do the bugs. Expect a progression from midges in the late morning to a healthy BWO (Blue-Winged Olive) hatch heading into lunchtime. Matt recommends nymphing the bottom third of the water column with a strike indicator and targeting soft seams—“That’s where the feeding fish are going to be,” he says.
Afternoon Dry Fly Windows
The surface game picks up in the afternoon. “Look for rising fish in recirculating eddies and the slower tails of runs,” Matt advises. Trout are keying in on adult and emerging mayflies, and the dry fly bite has been solid if you hit the right spots.
Hot Tip from Matt
“The Mother’s Day Caddis hatch is right around the corner,” Matt says. “And the larva are already thick on the river bottom.” He recommends adding a caddis larva pattern to your nymph rig—cream, olive, and chartreuse are his top color picks.
Matt’s Top 3 Flies This Week
Slumpbuster – Olive, Black, Natural | Size 6–10
Perfect for those aggressive morning streamer eats.
Juju Baetis – Purple, Red, Black | Size 16–18
A reliable BWO imitation that shines in this spring transition.
Chartreuse Copper John – Size 16
A personal favorite of Matt’s for imitating early-season caddis larva.
About Matt Fletcher
Matt Fletcher is a seasoned fly fishing guide with Colorado River Outfitters. Known for his deep knowledge of entomology and his laid-back teaching style, Matt has helped thousands of anglers—from first-timers to seasoned vets—hook into wild Colorado trout in all kinds of conditions.
Plan your trip while conditions are prime—before runoff kicks in. And if you want to get the most out of your day, book a guided trip with Matt and our crew at Colorado River Outfitters. You’ll walk away with tight lines, fish stories, and a better understanding of the river.
Give us a call at 970-236-1937
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For all your fly fishing needs, we recommend gearing up at Golden Fly Shop!
Great stuff Matt!