Vail and Beaver Creek river conditions Vail Valley's clear waterways, born of snow, offer gold-medal angling year-round. Here is the latest advice to locate the best stretches of river, along with the hottest flies.
Fishing in the Vail Valley is wonderful with Gore Creek running through the town into the Eagle River which empties into the Colorado River farther down valley. Fly fishing and spin fishing is great nearly all year around. Before you go fishing, bookmark this page and check here first to check current river flows and conditions for fishing in the Vail Valley.
Now that winter conditions are fully upon us, fly fishing has taken a backseat for many who pursue other wintertime activities. However for those that are in the know, winter fly fishing on the Gore can be as good as it gets. With winter water levels generally fluctuating between 15 and 30 c.f.s, now more then ever you will need to practice exceptional stalking skills so as to not spook these wary trout. For those who still wish to get out and enjoy all that Vail has to offer, consider yourself lucky! Because both ambient and water temperatures do not warm up until mid day, this leaves your mornings free to enjoy some of North America's finest corduroy and powder! We generally fish between the hours of 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., that way you are on the water when things are most productive. We have been seeing good hatches of midges throughout the later morning and early afternoon hours, with most fish being taken on emerger and pupa imitations. In addition to midges, blue winged olives, eggs, worms and stone fly patterns fished subsurface should move trout as well. Considered a Gold Medal trout fishery by the Division of Wildlife, the Gore is home to numerous rainbows, brookies, browns, cutthroats and cuttbows that average between 13 to 15 inches with some in the 20 inch range.
Hot Flies:
Blue Winged Olives, Midges, Eggs and Worms are the most productive patterns right now. Good midge patterns to try are: WD40's, Black Beauty, Zebra Midge in black or rust, Barr's Micro Midge Emerger and Lint Bugs to name a few. All midges should vary in size from 18 to 22. Good blue winged olive patterns to try are: Sparkle Wing RS2's, CDC Loop Wing Emergers, Barr's Flash Back Emerger, Micro Mayfly brown or olive and Flashback Pheasant Tails. Your BWO's should vary in size from 18 to 20. 5x or 6x fluorocarbon tippet materials are a must when fishing the Gore.
Tips:
Spot-fishing the Gore is still your best chance for good success. Use a partner to spot and stalk each and every fish. When you spot your "target" place yourself in the best possible position to make your initial cast count. If you take your time and systematically fish the Gore you will turn quite a few fish. Due to cold winter temperatures, you will find the majority of trout holding tight along the bottom in slow moving runs. Make sure to use enought split shot to get your flies in the proper feeding zone, these trout will not go far out of their way for a meal. Once you've found one...you've found them all. As temperatures continue to get colder, ice shelves will develop along the banks of the Gore. If you find yourself fishing slush or are having difficulties due to ice, head below the waste water treatment plant in Lionshead. The plant is constantly releasing warmer water and produces a good 3/4 mile stretch that is generally ice free. Good luck!
Eagle River
Water Flows:
77 c.f.s.
Water Temperature:
30's° F
Fishing Quality:
good
Water Clarity:
Have no fear that winter is here! For those in the know winter fly fishing can oftentimes be more productive then the summer months. Now is the time to truly take advantage of what Vail and Beaver Creek have to offer. Where else can someone ski fresh powder in the morning and fly fish in the afternoon. Because both ambient and water temperatures do not warm up until the late morning and early afternoon hours, we are not hitting the water until 10 or 11 a.m. giving you ample time to wear out those ski legs. Similar to both the Colorado and the Gore, nymph fishing is the name of the game. Because water temperatures are so cold, trout will typically be found hugging the bottoms of long, slow runs. Do not be afraid of using too much split shot, if you are not ticking bottom your are not catching fish. Fluctuating between 65 and 90 c.f.s., the Eagle has reached its winter time plateau and should remain constant until March when things begin to warm up. If you find yourself fishing slush or are having difficulties finding access due to ice shelves along the banks, head towards the town of Avon and fish below the water treatment plant. Similar to Gore Creek, this plant creates a warmer fishery just below it for approximately 3/4 of a mile.
Hot Flies:
Blue Winged Olive patterns to try are: CDC Loopwing Emerger, Sparkle Wing RS2, RS2 Dun, Barr's Flashback BWO Emerger, BLM's in peacock or black, Glassbead Micro Mayfly, Tung. Micro Mayfly. Midges: Lint Bugs, WD40's, WD50's, Poison Tung., Morgan's Midge, Roy Palm's Special Emerger, Ice Cream Cones, Black Beauty, etc. Size 18 to 22. Streamers: Wooley Buggers all colors, NearNuff Sculpins in olive or tan, Slumpbusters in olive or rust, Autumn Splendors, Krystal Buggers in olive or black, Sculpzilla in olive or black. Sizes 4 to 10.
Tips:
Trout are found in the slower and deeper runs, therefore we would recommend concentrating the majority of your fish finding and presentations to these areas. A double nymph rig with a point fly of an egg pattern or worm, followed by a micro midge or b.w.o pattern has proven very effective.
Colorado River
Water Flows:
477 c.f.s.
Water Temperature:
30's° F
Fishing Quality:
fair
Water Clarity:
The Colorado has come down to its normal wintertime flows which typically fluctuate between 400 and 600 c.f.s. These levels are great for those who enjoy wade fishing areas that are typically inaccessible during higher water levels. Deep nymphing is the name of the game. Find a slow moving run and dredge the bottom with attractor nymphs and naturals. Right now you will have good success using midge, blue winged olive, egg, worm, stone and streamer patterns. The rig of choice is a black or olive leech pattern as a point fly followed by a small bwo or midge pupa slowly nymphed along the bottom. Again these fish are tight along the bottom and generally do not go far out of their way for a meal. Using adequate amounts of split shot is critical in successfully finding trout during the winter months.
Hot Flies:
Blue Winged Olive patterns to try are: CDC Loopwing Emerger, Sparkle Wing RS2, RS2 Dun, Barr's Flashback BWO Emerger, BLM's in peacock or black, Glassbead Micro Mayfly, Tung. Micro Mayfly. Midges: Lint Bugs, WD40's, WD50's, Poison Tung., Morgan's Midge, Roy Palm's Special Emerger, Ice Cream Cones, Black Beauty, etc. Size 18 to 22. Streamers: Wooley Buggers all colors, NearNuff Sculpins in olive or tan, Slumpbusters in olive or rust, Autumn Splendors, Krystal Buggers in olive or black, Sculpzilla in olive or black. Sizes 4 to 10.
Tips:
Now that winter is in full swing, wade fishing is a great way to fish areas that were only accessible to those lucky enough to be on a boat. Remember to use plenty of split shot to get your flies down to the proper depth, these fish are lethargic and not inclined to stray far for a meal.
