Eagle River: Gypsum to Dotsero
Eagle River: Gypsum to Dotsero — Fishing Report for April 24, 2026
Quick Stats
Flow: 245 CFS | Trend: Stable | Fishability: Good | Weather: Mostly Sunny, High 59°F
The Bite
With snowpack sitting at a fraction of normal across the basin this year, the runoff pulse that typically starts hammering this lower stretch by late April is shaping up to be mild and short-lived. That's good news for anglers — it means the pre-runoff window you're fishing right now may extend a bit longer than usual, and the river is unlikely to blow out hard or stay blown out for long. At 245 CFS and stable, the Eagle here is fishing well within its ideal range, with clear water and accessible structure throughout the reach.
Today's warmth is the headline. A mostly sunny day pushing 59°F is exactly the kind of afternoon that wakes up Skwala stoneflies and triggers BWO hatches simultaneously — a rare overlap that gives dry fly anglers two shots at the same time. Expect surface activity to build between noon and 4 PM as the air temperature peaks. The long, slow runs and broad riffles on this section are tailor-made for spotting rising fish, and brown trout should be actively feeding in the transitional water between riffles and flats. Mornings will be quieter — midge activity is the primary driver before 10 AM, and nymphing the deeper slots will outproduce dry fly work until the sun gets high.
Water temps aren't available from this gauge today, but seasonal patterns and the warm forecast suggest the river is likely in the mid-to-upper 40s°F — active enough for fish to move to a well-presented fly. Don't overlook the whitefish, either; they'll be stacked in the same runs as the browns and will eat a nymph just as readily.
What to Fish
- Skwala Dry #8-10 — Fish as the point fly in a dry-dropper rig during the midday window; let it ride the seams between riffles and slower water without drag.
- Parachute BWO #18-20 — Trail 18–24" below the Skwala as your dropper; this combo covers both hatches at once when surface activity picks up.
- RS2 (olive) #20-22 — Excellent midge/BWO emerger for the morning nymph rig; fish it as the trailer behind a heavier anchor.
- Copper John #14-16 — Weighted anchor for your morning nymph setup; gets down quickly in the moderate current.
- Pheasant Tail #16-18 — Versatile nymph for the slower runs and flats; natural presentation through the deeper slots.
- Black Stonefly Nymph #14-16 — Worth adding to the nymph rotation in the riffles, where little black and brown stonefly nymphs are active.
Tactics & Rigging
For the midday dry fly window, rig a Skwala dry on 4X fluorocarbon as your point fly with a Parachute BWO on 5X fluorocarbon dropped 20" below it. This is a buoyant, fishable setup — the Skwala floats both flies and the BWO rides just subsurface or at the film, which is exactly where fish will be looking during a mixed hatch. Focus on the transitional water where riffles slow into runs, and let the rig ride the seam untouched. Mend aggressively on the wider flats to kill drag.
For morning nymphing, anchor with a Copper John on 4X and trail an RS2 or Pheasant Tail 14–16" behind it on 5X. Add a small split shot 8" above the Copper John to get the rig into the strike zone on the deeper runs. This section's low gradient means fish hold in predictable spots — look for the inside bends, submerged ledges, and any current break created by the wider channel structure. A standard indicator setup works well here given the easy wadeability.
Access & Logistics
Access along this stretch is generally straightforward via pullouts off US-6 between Gypsum and Dotsero. Light pressure is typical for this section, and a Friday in late April shouldn't bring crowds. Trail and bank conditions should be dry and firm given the recent warm weather. Sunday's forecast calls for showers and thunderstorms — plan your weekend trip for today or Saturday if you want the best conditions.
Stop by Fly Fishing Outfitters or local Eagle Valley shops for current fly selection and to support the shops keeping tabs on this fishery.
Looking Ahead
Saturday looks nearly identical to today — mostly sunny and 60°F — so the dry fly window should hold strong through the weekend before Sunday's rain moves in. The incoming moisture could nudge flows slightly, but with snowpack well below normal, a significant rise is unlikely; expect conditions to remain fishable through next week.