Copyright 2009 James Marsh
Fly Fishing The Frying Pan River
Colorado
The Frying Pan River is one of the finest tailwaters in
the country. Although you can fish the freestone section
of the river, it is the tailwater below Ruedi Reservoir Dam
that provides the great fishing it is known for. The river
is a tributary of the Roaring Fork River. Although there
are some huge trout just under the dam in an area
called the toilet bowl, the fishing farther downstream is
what makes the river great. The fish below the dam feed
heavily on the mysis shrimp, a small freshwater shrimp
stocked in the lake that get through the dam. The entire
stream has some very nice rainbow, brown, cutthroat
and brook trout. It also has a huge population of several
different aquatic insects. It's only disadvantage comes
from the fact it's such a good stream. It can get crowded.
One great thing about the tailwater is the entire stream
from the dam down to its confluence with the Roaring
Fork is classified as Gold Metal Waters. That means
fishing with artificial flies and lures only and all trout
except the brown trout (2 fish over 14 inches) must be
released.
Seasons:
You can fish the river any day of the year and catch
trout. The water is discharged at a constant temperature
and doesn't freeze over.
Winter:
Late winter is a great time for fly fishing the Frying Pan
River.
Spring:
The good fishing continues into the early spring when
the water is low and the fish can be spotted.
Summer:
Summertime produces some great hatches including the
Green Drake hatch the stream is known for.
Fall:
Fall baetis hatches (Blue-winged Olives) brings on some
great dry fly fishing.
Fly Fishing Guide to the Frying Pan River:
We will touch on the fishing in the upper headwaters of
the Frying Pan River but we will be mostly concerned
with the tailwater section. (Click Here to Continue)
Colorado
The Frying Pan River is one of the finest tailwaters in
the country. Although you can fish the freestone section
of the river, it is the tailwater below Ruedi Reservoir Dam
that provides the great fishing it is known for. The river
is a tributary of the Roaring Fork River. Although there
are some huge trout just under the dam in an area
called the toilet bowl, the fishing farther downstream is
what makes the river great. The fish below the dam feed
heavily on the mysis shrimp, a small freshwater shrimp
stocked in the lake that get through the dam. The entire
stream has some very nice rainbow, brown, cutthroat
and brook trout. It also has a huge population of several
different aquatic insects. It's only disadvantage comes
from the fact it's such a good stream. It can get crowded.
One great thing about the tailwater is the entire stream
from the dam down to its confluence with the Roaring
Fork is classified as Gold Metal Waters. That means
fishing with artificial flies and lures only and all trout
except the brown trout (2 fish over 14 inches) must be
released.
Seasons:
You can fish the river any day of the year and catch
trout. The water is discharged at a constant temperature
and doesn't freeze over.
Winter:
Late winter is a great time for fly fishing the Frying Pan
River.
Spring:
The good fishing continues into the early spring when
the water is low and the fish can be spotted.
Summer:
Summertime produces some great hatches including the
Green Drake hatch the stream is known for.
Fall:
Fall baetis hatches (Blue-winged Olives) brings on some
great dry fly fishing.
Fly Fishing Guide to the Frying Pan River:
We will touch on the fishing in the upper headwaters of
the Frying Pan River but we will be mostly concerned
with the tailwater section. (Click Here to Continue)
| Type of Stream Tailwater/Freestone Species Brown Trout Rainbow Trout Cutthroat Trout Brook Trout (Wild) Size Small - Approx. 14 miles long Location Central Colorado Nearest Towns Basalt Season Year-round Access: Good Non-Resident License State of Colorado Weather National Weather Service Link Hatch Chart Frying Pan River Hatch Chart Fly Fishing Guide Hatches and Flies Fly Fishing Gear Stream Flow Data: Real Time USGS Data |
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Additional Images: Click on Thumbnail
Image by David
Knapp Photography
Knapp Photography
| Options For Selecting Flies: 1. Email us with the dates you will be fishing this stream and we will send you a list of our fly suggestions. Please allow up to 24 hours for a response. 2. Call us 800-594-4726 and we will help you decide which flies you need. 3. Call or email us with a budget for flies and we will select them and get them to you in time for your trip. Shipping is free in the U. S. Orders over $50 are shipped Priority Mail. |