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 have been on the water daily and are reporting excellent fishing on the Eagle River, Colorado River, and Roaring Fork River. Between strong midge hatches and increasingly consistent Blue Wing Olive activity, trout are feeding aggressively and often throughout the entire day.

Below is a detailed breakdown of current conditions, hatch timing, and guide-approved tactics for each river.

Eagle River Fishing Report

Flow: 130 CFS near Gypsum

Conditions: Low and clear

The Eagle River is currently running extremely low and clear, especially around Gypsum. While these conditions demand a stealthy approach, they also concentrate trout into predictable holding water. Fish are stacking in deep runs, buckets, and slower seams, making them easier to target once located.

Guide Matt Fletcher has been seeing excellent consistency on the Eagle lately, particularly once the daily midge hatch begins.

Current Hatches:

Spring Midges

Spring midges are dominating the food supply right now, and the hatch has been huge most days starting around 11:00 AM. Trout are feeding heavily on all stages, larvae, pupa, and adults.

Blue Wing Olives (BWOs)

BWOs have also started to appear during the afternoons. These mayflies tend to show up on cloudy days or when temperatures stabilize later in the afternoon.

Top Producing Flies

Nymphs

• Daysaver Midge — Brown Size 18

• Daysaver Baetis — Size 20–18

• Jig Zebra Midge — Black Size 16

Dry Fly

• Renegade — Size 16

Pro Tips from Matt Fletcher

1. Approach carefully

Low and clear water means trout are easily spooked. Matt recommends long leaders, light tippet, and slow wading when approaching productive runs.

2. Focus on deeper water

The majority of fish are holding in the deepest parts of runs and softer seams where they can conserve energy while feeding.

3. Time the midge hatch

Fishing tends to improve dramatically around 11 AM when the midge hatch begins. If you’re planning a half day, this is the window you don’t want to miss.

4. Don’t overlook dry fly opportunities

When the hatch gets thick, trout will occasionally rise aggressively. A Renegade size 16 can be a surprisingly effective dry during these moments.

5. Slow, natural drifts are everything

Technical presentations are critical. Even the right fly won’t work if it drifts unnaturally in this clear water.

Colorado River Fishing Report

(Below Glenwood Springs)

Flow: 1150 CFS

Visibility: 4–5 feet

The Colorado River below Glenwood Springs is fishing extremely well right now. Flows around 1150 cfs are providing ideal spring conditions, and water clarity around 4–5 feet is perfect for nymphing and streamer fishing.

Guide Brian Hilbert reports consistent action with fish feeding heavily throughout the day, especially in deeper runs.

Hatch Timeline

Late Morning – Midge Hatch (around 11 AM)

The first feeding window usually begins with a strong spring midge emergence late in the morning.

Afternoon – Blue Wing Olives (around 3 PM)

BWO activity has been picking up later in the afternoon. This hatch can vary day to day but often creates another strong feeding window.

Top Producing Flies

Nymphs

• Philly Cheese Cranefly — Size 6

• Daysaver Midge — Brown size 18

• Daysaver Baetis — Size 20-18

Streamer

• Kreelex — Gold/Brown

Pro Tips from Brian Hilbert

1. Fish the deep runs

Right now, trout are primarily holding in deeper runs and slower transition water. These zones provide both protection from current and a steady food conveyor.

2. Start big, then go small

Brian often begins rigs with a Philly Cheese Cranefly to grab attention before trailing a smaller midge or Baetis pattern.

3. Stay late for the afternoon hatch

Many anglers leave too early. The BWO hatch around 3 PM can produce some of the best fishing of the entire day.

4. Streamers for big fish

Throwing a Kreelex streamer along banks and deeper runs can trigger aggressive eats from larger trout.

5. Adjust depth constantly

Proper depth is critical. Your flies should occasionally tick bottom to ensure you’re fishing in the strike zone.

Roaring Fork River Fishing Report

Flow: 135 CFS

Conditions: Low and clear

The Roaring Fork is also fishing very well right now with low flows and excellent clarity. Trout are feeding aggressively thanks to thick midge and BWO hatches, and anglers are seeing steady action throughout the day.

Guide Brian Hilbert notes that the key on the Fork right now is matching the bugs and fishing the deeper runs thoroughly.

Current Hatches

• Spring Midges

• Blue Wing Olives

These hatches are coming off in heavy numbers, and trout are feeding hard when the bugs are active.

Top Producing Flies

Nymphs

• Jig Zebra Midge — Black size 16

• Daysaver Midge — Brown or Black size 18

• Daysaver Baetis — size 20-18

Dry Fly

• Ms. Tickle Cripple BWO — Size 20

Pro Advice from Brian Hilbert

1. Match the hatch closely

Fish on the Roaring Fork can be selective when hatches are thick, so accurate fly selection is important.

2. Look for concentrated fish

Like the other rivers, trout are stacking in deep runs and slower holding water where food is delivered consistently.

3. Watch for rising fish during BWO activity

Afternoon BWO hatches can produce some excellent dry fly fishing.

4. Fish patiently

Working productive runs thoroughly will often produce multiple fish from the same piece of water.

Book a Trip with Colorado River Outfitters

If you want to take full advantage of the incredible fishing happening right now, there’s no better way to do it than with a professional guide.

At Colorado River Outfitters, our guides bring a level of experience that dramatically shortens the learning curve. In fact, our guides average 18.5 years of experience on these rivers.

A guided trip allows you to:

• Learn advanced river reading skills

• Improve casting and presentation

• Dial in the right flies and techniques

• Access the best water at the best times

• Catch more fish

Whether you prefer wade fishing smaller technical water or floating larger rivers like the Colorado, our guides will tailor the experience to your goals.

📞 Call or text to book your trip:

970-236-1937

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Spring fishing is happening right now, and conditions are shaping up for some of the best early season fishing we’ve seen in years. Don’t wait until summer crowds arrive, get on the water while the fishing is this good.

—The CRO Team