Trout Source

Introduction

Colorado's Frying Pan is a world class mountain tailwater stuffed with loads of rainbows (some of them massive), browns and some brookies and cutthroat.  Here, you can achieved the grand slam of trout.  Like many tailwaters, it is loaded with insects, including the Green Drake -- plus some relatively unique shrimp that support the jumbo rainbows.  Because the river is so exceptional, and set in beautiful surroundings, expect some crowds in summer on the weekends (but less in spring in fall).

River Character and Access

The prime water on the Frying Pan runs 14 miles through a narrow canyon from Reudi Lake to the Roaring Fork River (itself a great fishery) in the town of Basalt.  This stretch is designated a "Gold Medal" fishery by the state, and fishing is restricted to artificial flies and lures.  The river is catch and release, with the exception of browns less than 14 inches.  Immediately below the dam is a large pool dubbed the "Toilet Bowl".  This heavily fished pool contains lunker rainbows up to 10 pounds that feast on the Mysis shrimp, the food of choice on the Frying Pan.  The Mysis was originally planted in Reudi Lake, but eventually found its way into the river.  The Toilet Bowl torpedoes are not easy to fool, but since you can actually see them lurking in the depths and occasionally brushing the surface, it's hard to resist trying.  Some of these lunkers drift downstream a few hundred yards through some flat water as well.  From there, the river becomes a canyon fishery replete with deep pools and well-oxygenated water.

Averaging only 100-300 cubic feet per second in summer and fall, and with a relatively boulder-free bottom, it is easy to wade. Flows reach 400 CFS in spring (and up to 800 during runofff), but receed to 100-200 again in winter.  The river is open to fishing year-round.

The upper Frying Pan, above Reudi Lake, contains abundant trout as well, but the river is smaller and so are the fish.

Route 4 parallels the river all the way from Basalt to the upper stretches above Reudi Lake.  The first four miles below the dam are the most easily accessed and most crowded (especially the first half mile).  However, decent pullouts can be found along the entire 14-mile drive down to Basalt as the river courses through the canyon.

When and How to Fish

One can succeed with dries and nymphs on this river, and hatches are abundant.  Classic hatches begin in earnest in April, with BWO's.  In June, Caddis and Pale Morning Duns begin appearing, followed in July by Green Drakes, Red Quills, Craneflies and Golden Stoneflies.  Tricos and Stoneflies start in August.  Terrerstrial patterns can succeed in summer and Midges and Mysis shrimp and scuds can be fished year-round. 

No special techniques are called for on the Roaring Fork, although some experts feel the fish are indicator shy.  Moreover, having seen many fishermen and many flies, the trout may be a little more clever than areas that see less pressure.  The Mysis shrimp is fished like a nymph, and the best time to fish them is during or after water releases, when many are washed downstream.  They tend to be more concentrated the closer one gets to the dam.

Unlike nearby Roaring Fork, which often turns muddy after rain, the Frying Pan weathers rain events well due to the absence of muddy tributaries and its own rather grit-free bottom.  The exception is the lower four miles, where red sandstone proliferates in the "Seven Castles" area.

 

Troutsource highly recommends the services of a local fly fishing guide.  We've listed the best ones below, and you can contact all of them at once using our e-mail form.  A guide can be the difference between getting skunked and catching 20 fish.   Remember, getting the right fly is only half the battle.  You need to know exactly where to put it, and how -- and this is where guides earn their money.   A customary tip is 15%.