Eagle River Preserved
By: Jason Randall & Rick Messmer

On an overcast afternoon in late August, U.S. Congressman Mark Udall joined several members of Trout Unlimited’s Wild Trout Chapter and walked the banks of the Eagle River as it meanders outside the town of Edwards.

The land Udall and TU members walked that day represents the Eagle River Preserve – a 72-acre parcel that has historically been part of the Eaton Ranch and has been leased and mined by B&B Excavating Company for thirty years. As of last year, B&B operations had exhausted all available land for gravel excavation and the plant will cease operation, leaving the land open to purchase for development or preservation. Fortunately for anglers, preservation of this land beat out development pressures.

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The purpose of the Congressman’s visit was to become more acquainted with the land and the river prior to a benefit event featuring Udall and famed Colorado landscape photographer, John Fielder, as the keynote speakers for a fundraising event hosted by the Wild Trout Chapter in Denver. Terry Wickstrom of the Fan Outdoors radio program was the MC for the successful event, which helped raise over $8,000 for the Eagle River Preserve.

Udall’s interest in this open space project stems from the fact that it lies within his district, but also because of his strong support of Colorado sportsmen and their conservation efforts. "Anglers and sportsmen play a critical role in conserving our natural landscape and resources. The involvement of Trout Unlimited's Wild Trout chapter in the Eagle River Preserve project is an example of the passion and commitment that Colorado anglers have for our state's watersheds," said Congressman Udall.

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However, the main stumbling block to this effort was the price – to preserve this land in perpetuity would cost $12 million, and that is just the cost of the land and does not include reclamation costs.

When a commercial development opportunity fell through last year due to financing, The Eagle County Commissioners and Vail Valley Foundation stepped in and spearheaded the effort to raise and earmark funds to preserve this land rather than seeing it turned into intensive commercial development.

On January 20th, 2005, the Eagle County Commissioners approved the allocation of six million dollars from the unused portion of the Eagle County 2004 Open Space Fund, the entire allocated amount in the 2005 Open Space Fund for Eagle County, and from the Eagle County General Fund.

The Foundation began their fundraising effort in September of 2004, purchasing a one-year option on the property and initiating an extensive regional and local fundraising campaign to secure the necessary funds. Once finalized, Eagle River Preserve will be turned over to Eagle County, with a conservation easement, held by the Eagle Valley Land Trust, placed on the property to guarantee that it will never be developed.

When the Wild Trout chapter learned about the fundraising effort for this project they decided to see what small role they could play to aid in this effort. Shortly after the TU fundraising event, it was announced that the $12 million goal had been reached.

According the Vail Valley Foundation President Ceil Folz, “This is a landmark day for everyone that worked so hard to see Eagle River Preserve become reality. Reaching this goal is the product of incredible teamwork on all sides and we are honored that Trout Unlimited chose this project as the beneficiary of their fundraiser.”

With the initial fundraising component of Eagle River Preserve complete, the Foundation will now turn its attention to creating a strategy to address the reclamation process and overall look and feel of the open space, working closely with interested citizens and groups like Trout Unlimited.

OK – the project sounds great and all, but how is the fishing you may ask. The Eagle descends rather rapidly in and around the town of Edwards. Pocket water dominates and anglers willing to clamber around on the boulders and pick apart these small holes are rewarded nicely. Fish can be caught even in the smallest pockets, as long as they are big enough to hold a trout. The Eagle then slows dramatically for a very short stretch, acting like a very large spring creek and looking similar to some sections of the Henry’s Fork.

One of the best ways to enjoy this stretch is a float trip -- for about two weeks before runoff hits and for approximately six to eight weeks following, the Eagle is navigable by boat and the fishing is mind-boggling. From May through July, the fish are also pushed to the banks looking for anything and everything coming their way. This is the time of blizzard Caddis hatches, amazing PMD hatches and some of the best streamer action found anywhere in the world. Flies to use during this “blitz” season are Rubber-Leg Stimulator, Elk Hair Caddis, Chuck’s Green Caddis and Humpies in many colors. Be willing to go against the grain a little bit and tie on a PMD if you happen on one of those special days when you think all the Caddis on the planet are hatching, but the fish won’t eat your imitation. Sometimes throwing something with a significantly different profile will entice even a gorged fish. Streamers of all colors will work with the best patterns being the Rubber-Leg Wooly Bugger in Black or Olive and the Tan Conehead Sculpin, known locally as the Happy Meal.

In July, the fish shift their focus to the monster Green Drake as the water drops and the river becomes wadeable. Fishing a dry imitation followed by a cripple or even a nymph of this mayfly will provide amazing action. Anglers looking for the best of the best should float the Eagle late in the afternoon and into the evening and be willing to pull off the river just as the last shards of the day’s sunlight fade to darkness.

The Eagle River Preserve exemplifies a modern-day success story and a true public-private partnership that will provide generations of future anglers access to the great waters of the Eagle River.

About the Author

Rick Messmer is the manager of Gore Creek Fly-fisherman in Vail/Avon. Jason Randall is the Secretary of the Wild Trout Chapter of Trout Unlimited located in Denver. For additional information or to contribute to the reclamation of the Eagle River Preserve, visit www.eagleriverpreserve.com or call (970) 949-1999.