Fryingpan River
river in Colorado
A classic Colorado tailwater known for clear water, technical sight-fishing, and massive resident trout.
River flow last 30 days
Fryingpan River flowing at a clear 69
- 01Fryingpan River flowing at a clear 69.0 cfs under clear skies at 51°F.
- 02Consistent Blue-Winged Olive (BWO) hatches (sizes 18-24) are the main event.
- 03Various caddis, including larger October Caddis, are active in the afternoons and evenings.
- 04Focus fishing efforts on the Upper Fryingpan, from Mile Marker 8 upstream to Ruedi Reservoir.
- 05Stealth, drag-free drifts, and minimal line on the water are crucial for success with selective trout.
Past reports week by week
13 weeksWhat to tie on
Picked from reports, hatches and the season. Tap a fly for the recipe and where else it works.
Pine Squirrel Leech
Small leech patterns effectively mimic sluggish baitfish and annelids in cold fall water, enticing strikes from larger, lethargic trout.
Buy at AmazonOctober Caddis
The largest caddis hatch of the year in many western rivers occurs in the fall, making this a prime dry fly for active trout.
Mysis Shrimp
Mysis shrimp are a consistent, year-round food source in tailwaters below reservoirs like Ruedi. Fish this pattern dead drift near the bottom.
Buy at AmazonFlashback Pheasant Tail Nymph
An excellent general searching nymph, mimicking various aquatic insects and particularly effective as BWOs begin to emerge in the fall.
Woolly Bugger
A versatile and reliable year-round streamer, effective for imitating leeches and baitfish, which are consistent food sources for aggressive trout in colder fall water.
Blue-Winged Olive Comparadun
Consistent fall Blue-Winged Olive hatches make this low-profile dry fly essential for selective trout feeding on emergers and adults.
Travis Hi-Vis BWO Para Emerger
BWO emergers are crucial during fall hatches, and this high-visibility pattern helps spot subtle takes from rising trout.
TH Zebra Midge
Midges are a primary and consistent food source in tailwaters year-round. This weighted pattern gets into the strike zone for feeding trout.
Where to fish and who to ask
Basalt Seven Castles
A lower river access point known for incredible dry fly fishing during the Blue Winged Olive and Pale Morning Dun hatches.
Ruedi Dam Tailwater
The legendary water directly below the spillway where fish grow to trophy sizes on a steady diet of shrimp.
Fly shops within 40 miles
Taylor Creek Fly Shops
Roaring Fork Anglers and Alpine Angling
Colorado Fly Fishing Guides
Ed's Fly Shop
Get Fryingpan River reports by email
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Colorado season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
Read before you go
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Quick answers
Common questions about Fryingpan River.
What flies work best on Fryingpan River?
Our top scored fly patterns for Fryingpan River right now are Mysis Shrimp (95% confidence), Zebra Midge (95% confidence), Green Drake Wulff (90% confidence). These picks are scored from recent fishing reports, hatch data, and seasonal patterns.
What are current flow conditions on Fryingpan River?
Live USGS streamflow readings for Fryingpan River are charted in the sidebar of this page and updated automatically from the nearest gauge.
Is Fryingpan River fishing well right now?
We publish a fresh bite report for Fryingpan River each week based on recent on-the-water intel. The current report — with conditions, hatches, and what's producing — is on this page.