Eagle River (Gypsum) — October Report: BWOs & Caddis Mix at 173 CFS

The Eagle River, a 60-mile freestone stream in Colorado's Vail Valley, originates near Tennessee Pass and flows northwest to join the Colorado River at Dotsero. This river offers diverse fly fishing opportunities across its upper, middle, and lower sections.

The Frying Pan is flowing at 170 CFS below Ruedi, crystal-clear, and in prime fall shape. This tailwater stays consistent when freestones fluctuate, making it a fall gem. Blue Winged Olives are the bread-and-butter hatch, joined by midges and the occasional October Caddis. Fish are selective—classic Frying Pan style—so long leaders, tiny flies, and delicate drifts are mandatory. Expect pods of rising trout in slicks when clouds settle in.

The Eagle near Gypsum is running crisp at 173 CFS, clear, and totally in the fall pocket. Think Blue Winged Olives under cloud cover, midges all day, and a smattering of October Caddis flutters in the evenings. The fish are feeding steady, but stealth and smaller patterns are the ticket. Bring a dry-dropper rig and be ready to switch to fine emerger work when the clouds settle in.

• Flow Rate: ~173 CFS — very wadeable and steady
• Water Temp: cool and stable, trout-friendly all day
• Clarity: clear — fish are spooky, long leaders required
• Best Times: late morning through dusk; BWOs love cloud cover, October Caddis show at last light
• Primary Hatches: BWOs, midges, October Caddis (spotty)
• Crowds: medium — fewer anglers now that temps are dropping
• Confidence: 50% — hatches variable but consistent feeding windows
• Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ (solid fall fishing if you match conditions)

 

 

 

Midges — ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Blue Winged Olives — ⭐⭐⭐⭐
October Caddis — ⭐⭐
Caddis (tan #16–18) — ⭐

Note: Expect BWOs to be the dominant hatch on cloudy days; caddis come alive at dusk.

Dries / Terrestrials

• October Caddis (#14–16) — skate or dead-drift near banks
• BWO Parachute (#18–20)
• Griffith’s Gnat (#20–22)

Nymphs / Emergers

• Flashback Pheasant Tail (#18)
• WD-40 (#20–22)
• RS2 (gray/olive, #20–22)
• Two-Bit Hooker (#16) — Pro pick

Streamers

• Brown Bugger (#10)
• Mini Leech (olive/black, #10–12)

 

• Cloudy windows: match BWOs with parachute or CDC emergers, downstream reach casts.

• Dry-dropper all day: October Caddis or Elk Hair Caddis on top, PT or RS2 dropper below.

• Midge work: tiny RS2 or WD-40 on 6X–7X, dead-drift in soft seams.

• Evening swings: skate October Caddis across foam lines, or swing a small leech.

• Rig Note: 9–11 ft leaders, 5X/6X fluorocarbon for best drifts.

• Gypsum Ponds SWA: classic riffle-run structure, easy access.

• Dotsero stretches: mix of riffles and deep bends, worth a streamer run.

• Red Canyon / Wolcott: cooler water, fewer crowds, solid dry-dropper zones.

1. Is 173 CFS wadeable? Yes, perfect pocket-water flows.
2. What’s the best hatch right now? BWOs dominate on cloudy days; midges steady all day.
3. October Caddis showing? Sporadically, mainly dusk near banks.
4. What tippet to use? 5X–6X for nymphs; 4X–5X for caddis skaters.
5. Best daily window? 11 AM–3 PM (BWOs) and dusk (caddis).
6. Streamer bite worth it? Yes, especially in shaded bends or low light.
7. Crowds? Medium—lighter than mid-summer, but locals still fish it hard.
8. Best beginner access? Gypsum Ponds SWA—easy entry and lots of water ty

 

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