Winter Fishing Report – February 13, 2026 With insights from Matt Fletcher
- brianchilbert
- Feb 13
- 3 min read
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, how to fish it, and what to tie on.
Wade Fishing Report - Eagle River
The Eagle is fishing extremely well for winter standards and is highly accessible from the middle stretches all the way downriver. There’s no ice down valley, banks are open, and access points are plentiful making this one of the best options for wade anglers right now.
Where Fish Are Holding
Fish are concentrated in:
Slow runs
Deep buckets
Inside bends
Tailouts below riffles
In winter, trout prioritize conserving energy. That means they won’t move far for food, so success depends on presenting flies directly in their lane. If you think you’re deep enough, go deeper.
Recommended Starting Rig
Matt recommends beginning the day with a proven winter trio:
Egg – peach, size 16
Worm – red, size 14
Midge larva – size 20
Rotate midge larvae colors frequently. Productive shades lately have been:
Red
Black
Tan
Flashy / metallic
If action slows, adjust depth before changing flies. Depth is the most importantly factor in cold water.
Hatch Window
On warmer afternoons, keep an eye out for a midge hatch. When fish start looking up, switch immediately to lighter rigs or dry-dropper setups.
Top producer:
Daysaver Midge – brown, size 20–22
This pattern has been exceptional during hatch windows thanks to its realistic silhouette and subtle profile that matches winter midges perfectly.
Float Fishing Report -
Roaring Fork
Low winter flows have fish stacked in predictable zones, which makes float trips highly productive if you slow down and fish methodically. According to Fletcher, patience is the key difference between an average float and a great one this time of year.
Target Water
Focus your effort on:
Deep, slow shelves
Soft seams near boulders
Back-eddies
Drop-offs along banks
Don’t rush these sections. Cover them thoroughly with repeated drifts from different angles before moving on. Winter trout often won’t eat the first pass, but they might crush the third.
Winter Float Fly Lineup
Consistent producers:
Anchor / attractor flies
Egg – peach, size 16
Worm – red, size 14
Natural imitations
Midge larva – red or pale olive, size 16
Midge emerger – Daysaver Midge brown, size 18–20
This combination gives fish both a calorie-dense meal and a natural food source, which is critical when trout are feeding opportunistically rather than aggressively.
Best Time of Day
The bite window has been most reliable from 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM, when water temps tick up just enough to activate feeding behavior. Earlier mornings tend to be slow, and evenings drop off quickly once temps fall.
Seasonal Takeaway from Fletcher
“This winter is giving anglers a gift. Mild temps, low pressure, and cooperative fish. If you fish slow water, get your flies deep, and stay patient, you can have some of the most productive days of the year right now.”
Final Thoughts
February often gets overlooked, but conditions right now say it shouldn’t be. With mild weather, light crowds, and predictable fish behavior, anglers willing to adjust depth, slow down presentations, and key in on midges are finding consistent success whether wading or floating.
If you’ve been waiting for a sign to get out there—this is it.
Want to dial in the spring fishing?
Spring is shaping up to be something special on the water, and there’s no better time to fish with Matt Fletcher or one of our expert CRO guides. With this unusually mild winter, conditions are lining up for early hatches, active trout, and uncrowded rivers, prime opportunities you don’t want to miss. Whether you’re looking to sharpen your skills or just enjoy an unforgettable day outside, our guides will put you on fish and make it a trip to remember.
📞 Call 970-236-1937 now to lock in your spring date before the best days fill up!
— The CRO Team
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