A Friday on the Eagle

Due to the relatively mild winter in Eagle County (so far) there was actually less ice than when I last fished a few weeks ago. Gypsum still has more people (and fishing pressure) on the weekends (I always include Friday as part of a weekend) and although I did start there I ended up further upstream. There was some ice, but not much you could stand on. If you’re on thin ice (get it?), be careful. Know the depth of the water in case you break through. A foot or two won’t kill you, but anything over your waders will ruin your day.

This fish looked more like a Colorado River trout as Eagle River rainbows and cuttbows tend to have more color. Maybe it swam up from the confluence in Dotsero? I’ll probably never know.

Once again, fish were eating midges of various sizes ranging from size 16-22. I didn’t fish an egg, but I probably should have. Next time. Last winter, I had luck on little red blood midges (some with or without weight), but this trip they weren’t interested even though I know they saw them. I’m amazed how flies almost illuminate under water during the winter months in a gin clear river. Even the slightest piece of foam on a Chocolate Thunder or Foam Wing Emerger looks like a beacon beneath the surface of the river.

I had my sweater from Iceland on again, and with it, I don’t even need a coat. In the direct sunlight I was almost too warm, but since I get to fly fish in late December I’m not going to complain. I found some wide open water upstream and caught fish on my White Tiger Midge and also an Olive Midge larva with gold ribbing. I’ve been experimenting with different olive colored patterns because many anglers will frequently throw black, red, cream, and purple. I did see two fish rise and was able to cover one, but a one and done riser never gives me much hope. My final fish of the day did eat a midge emerger, but below the surface. It was my lone brown trout of this outing.

I hope your Christmas was spent with friends and/or family, delicious fare, and a strong drink to match it. I’ll leave you with a few more photos from my Friday on the Eagle.