Eagle River

Subfreezing overnight temps and winter weather have led to an increasing amount of ice build up along the banks and finding open water is becoming more of a challenge. As it stands, most of the water is largely unfishable. However, the section below Edwards is where you’ll find the most amount of open water. The beginning of January was relatively mild which opened up a lot of water on this stretch and while it is slowly reverting back to being covered in ice, you should manage to find a few productive runs in the days to come. Keep in mind, however, that this will change with the weather and it is likely to be unfishable unless air temps hold above freezing for more than a few days. With this in mind, we’d recommend fishing elsewhere if you’re looking for more certainty. If you decide to hit the water, keep in mind that the mornings have been and will continue to be slow so there is no hurry to the water. In fact, productivity will be best during peak heat hours after the slush has cleared. Additionally, you’ll want to seek out areas with extended sun exposure as this is where you will find the most open water and actively feeding trout. Trout are largely confined to the deep and slow water most of the day so you’ll want to stick with a heavy nymph rig for the best results. Small and imitative is the name of the game. However, moderate sized searchers or attractors in the #16-18 range will make for good lead patterns. Hatch activity has dwindled lately, but we continue to see sporadic midges making an appearance throughout the day. With this in mind, you’ll likely want to focus most of your efforts below the surface, but if you see consistent surface feeding don’t hesitate to rig up some smaller midge dry flies. Persistence will become increasingly important. Cycle through flies and adjust your depth before moving on. You’re going to need to hit them on the nose in order to see results. If you’re comfortable with sight fishing that will always work in your favor. Otherwise, survey the pronounced pools and slow runs making sure to cover all of the nooks and crannies before moving on.