However, that’s not the case for some of the blizzard-like caddis hatches. As high water recedes in late June or into July, fish may become more hatch-focused. Generally focus on size, silhouette, and presentation as opposed to becoming match-oriented.

The Eagle is a “high energy” river, with a lot of rocks and boulders. Fish usually have to make a rapid “take or refuse” decision. More often than not, a properly sized fly with the correct silhouette, accurate delivery, and drag-free float will elicit a strike.

When there is neither an obvious hatch nor visible trout activity, a good dry-fly searching pattern in a No. 14 to 16 with a caddis-emerger dropper in the same sizes is a good combination to start the day. In deeper holes, a large, weighted stonefly pattern No. 6 to 8 combined with a smaller mayfly nymph should get some action.

When fish activity becomes apparent, evaluate what fly and life stage the trout are focused on and make adjustments.

Marty Bartholomew, a Colorado fishing expert, has written that one of his frustrations on the Eagle involves determining whether the fish are feeding on caddis or pale morning duns when both insects are hatching simultaneously. Frustrating, perhaps -- but how can you really be frustrated when trout are actively feeding all around you?

THE CADDIS
Caddis will hatch throughout the summer. The Western sedge, predominant in July, is relatively insignificant in its adult form. But the bright green larvae are important food for Eagle River trout. No. 14 to 16 caddis larvae patterns with a lot of green will be successful.

The small olive and spotted sedge hatch all summer long. No. 18 to 20 olive patterns and No. 14 to 16 tan patterns will match these insects.

Though caddis may show up throughout the day, the usual prime time for caddis is the final two hours of daylight.

MAYFLIES
Red quills and pale morning duns (or PMDs) combine with the massive green drakes as the major mayfly hatches on the Eagle. From Wolcott downstream, tricos are an important mayfly from mid- to late July as well.

PMDs become available to the trout throughout July and into August. They usually hatch around mid-day with a late afternoon-evening spinner fall. Pale cream No. 14 to 18 patterns match the PMDs.

Red quills overlap the PMDs, beginning to hatch in July and continue to show up through August. Although the PMD patterns may work for the red quill as well, a little darker red quill pattern in No. 14 to 16 may be a better bet. The big drakes begin to hatch in mid-June on the lower river.

The hatch moves upstream, nearly to the headwaters on occasion. No. 10 to 12 Green Drake dry and emerger patterns, particularly the Quigley style or hair-wing flies work well on the Eagle. Typical trico patterns in No. 20 to 24 work when the tricos are hatching. Look for smooth runs, gentle takes, and use perfect presentation to fool the fish.

STONEFLIES
Golden stoneflies, yellow stones, and some salmon flies will hatch throughout the summer months.

These large flies offer trout a major mouthful and can bring large fish to the surface. Stoneflies hatch along the bank, so cast your large No. 6 to 10 stonefly patterns close to shore and be prepared for a powerful strike.

TERRESTRIALS
Ants, beetles and hoppers are trout favorites worldwide. Again, terrestrials become available near the shoreline where they may fall or be blown into the water. Hoppers in particular can elicit bone-jarring strikes from large fish.

CATCHING THE TROUT
July through September is the prime fishing season on the Eagle. Trout are looking up at the numerous insect hatches that the summer season brings. For that reason, most successful fishermen will use a dry-dropper or dry-dry combination. A medium-sized attractor with some green and a Copper John or seasonal emerger pattern dropped about 18 inches is a good combination to search with.

If a hatch is apparent, then an adult dry with a nymph or emerger dropper is the obvious choice.

Earlier in the summer, a caddis or stonefly dry works well as the dry. But later on, I prefer to use a hopper or beetle as the dry fly. Stimulators work well, as do Green Drakes when the drakes are hatching. If caddis are hatching, don’t be anxious to leave the water before dark, since caddis action can be hot just before last light.

Handle fish with care and consider catch-and-release to help conserve our trout reserves.