Fishing Report | Frying Pan River | Fly Fishing Outfitters

Fishing Report For: Frying Pan River
September 19th. 2023

Green Drakes and Big PMD’s!!!! Get them now because it’s almost over

The Frying Pan River is a world famous tailwater fishery that starts below Ruedi Reservoir and continues downstream for approximately 14 miles to the confluence of the Roaring Fork River in Basalt. The top 1.5 miles are the catch and release “Holy Water”.

Trout fighting to get free while the fisherman is slowly dragging him to his net with his fly fishing rod

Fishermen wading on the river and enjoying in the beauties of the nature

Big, visible Green Drake Fly attract big, hungry trout | Fly Fishing Outfitters

Green Drake standing on a blue fabric | Fly Fishing Outfitters

This section is where anglers go to catch the fish of a lifetime as well as mingle with big crowds. The Pan from below the Holy Water is more of a freestone fishery that offers some fantastic wading opportunities for nice size browns and Rainbows on dry flies as well as nymphs. There is quite a bit of public access mixed in with the private water so a good map or guide is key. Private water on the pan is very well marked. The Frying Pan is known for its Mysis Shrimp, midges, and also for it’s famous Green Drake and Pale Morning Dun hatches that usually start in mid-summer and go well into early fall. If there is a cloud, then there are Blue Wings hatching as well. Avoid the crowds and fish downstream at mile markers 7 and 4. We guide the Frying Pan on full day wade trips only due to the 1+ hour travel time, but – boy – it’s worth the drive!

This amazing tailwater Trout river is a must-do Bucket list destination for any real fly fisher! Winter is a great time to get away from the crowds and get after some huge fish, though every season on The Pan can be pretty amazing not to mention the beauty of driving through the canyon!

9/19/2023– The Green Drake and PMD hatches are still going strong so don’t forget your dry fly boxes. This hatch will go well into the end of September and maybe into early October. The Pan can be very crowded on weekends, so mid week is the best time to go. This world famous tailwater fishery boasts some amazing Trout. The frying pan valley is stunning as well. The upper river below the dam is where you Nymph fish the Mysis Shrimp and annelids…As your get down around mile marker 7 is where the river fishes more like a Freestone. Caddis, stoneflies…and you can fish more dry flies. Currently flows are right around 260 CFS, which is perfect for the Pan.

Recommended Patterns:

Nymphs: Barr’s Emergers BWO #16-22, Zebra Midges #20-22 Brassie Size #20-24, Mysis Shrimp#18-22, Miracle Midge #18-22, Roy’s Special #20-24, Green Drake nymphs #8-12, Caddis larva #12-16, Squirmy’s #12-14, Quill Jigs #18

Dries: Royal Wullf #12-18, Tan Elk Hair Caddis #14-16, Light Cahill #12-14, Green Drakes #8-12, Parachute Adams #12-18

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