Eagle River Outfitter

The Eagle River begins high in the Sawatch Mountain Range and drops more than six thousand feet on its way down, and this outfit fishes it near Sylvan Lake, through Minturn and down past Avon. Rainbow, brown and brook trout are the quarry, noted locally for their size and for how hard they fight. The current runs swift enough that tactics matter more than the calendar, so nymphing, dry fly and streamer work all earn a place in the same day. The shop’s recommended rig is a nine-foot four-weight with weight-forward floating line and chest waders. Trips come as walk-and-wade days, as floats, or as a Vail Valley fly fishing picnic, and the fishing is catch and release throughout.