When winter grabs hold and the rivers slow down, our guides turn their attention to the tying vise. Snow days are prime time to restock fly boxes, sharpen skills, and crank out patterns we know we’ll reach for all season long. Classic “guide flies” are easy and quick to tie, and more importantly, they’re deadly effective. These patterns have been around forever, but they’ve stood the test of time for one simple reason: they work. Here are 6 flies our CRO guides fish nearly year-round, and...

January fly fishing separates the anglers who are willing to slow down, dial it in, and fish with intention from everyone else. Winter conditions demand a different mindset, and when you approach it correctly, some of the best and most technical fishing of the year happens right now. According to CRO guide Matt Fletcher, success in January comes down to understanding fish behavior, timing your day correctly, and carrying the right flies. Think of this as your winter starting lineup. Simple,...

Our guides have been busy all week leading up to Christmas, and the Eagle River has been fishing exceptionally well for those willing to put hitting the slopes on hold. Thanks to warmer than normal temperatures, we have seen consistent midge activity and cooperative trout across much of the river. Wade trips have been especially productive, with fish feeding steadily during the warmest parts of the day. Winter fishing on the Eagle is often overlooked, but right now it is very good. If you...