Eagle River Autumn Tactics: Chasing Trophy Trout with Woody Kiehl

It is October 20, 2026, and the air has that crisp, high-altitude bite that signals it is time to get serious. While the summer crowds have thinned out, the big browns are starting to get territorial and the rainbows are fattening up for the long haul. I have been guiding in the Roaring Fork Valley for over thirty years, and I’ll tell you straight: if you want a shot at a trophy trout right now, you need to be on the Eagle River. We have been running my new Clackacraft drift boat through the lower stretches—specifically below Edwards, down past the Eagle fairgrounds, and heading toward the water above Gypsum. The river is fishing exceptionally well, but you have to adjust your game. The water levels are low and clear, which means your presentation has to be surgical. I have been putting my clients on some serious fish using Sage fly fishing setups paired with Hardy fly fishing reels—gear that can handle the violent runs these Eagle River bruisers make. Sub-surface, the game is 'tiny and shiny.' We are throwing size 18-24 midges and BWO nymphs. If you aren't leading with a fluorocarbon leader, you are just wasting time. Don't be afraid to pull out the streamers, though; when the clouds roll in, those big browns start hunting. The Eagle offers some of the most scenic float fishing in the state, and whether you are a local or here for a bachelor or bachelorette party looking for a unique Colorado adventure, driftboat fishing is the only way to cover the necessary ground to find those elusive monsters. If you’ve been sticking to the Aspen area fly fishing scene, it’s time to branch out. Whether you need to hit the Carbondale, Basalt, Aspen, or Glenwood Springs access points on the Fork, or you want to tackle the big water on the Colorado below Grizzly Creek and Glenwood, Aspen Angling Company has the expertise to put you on fish. I’ve seen every riffle and run on these rivers, and I know exactly where the big rainbows and browns are holding up this time of year. Don’t spend your fall wishing you were on the water—book a trip with me today and let’s get you into the best fishing of your life. Call the shop at Aspen Angling Company and let’s get on the sticks.