Fishing Traveler

This fishing trip information post is on Frying Pan River in Colorado.  This post is meant to assist you in searching for fishing trip information on Frying Pan River.  Please visit the links on this page to get complete information for your trip.

The Frying Pan River is  located near Aspen, Colorado.  The 14 miles between Ruedi and the confluence with the Roaring Fork in Basalt is marked as a Colorado Gold Medal water.  To be designated a Gold Medal River the river must contain 60 pounds of trout per acre foot and 12 trout per acre foot that measure 14 inches or longer.  The Frying Pan River is a cold and clear river with abundant hatches, known for trophy fishing as well as good numbers.  The river is 14 miles long below Ruedi Dam.  Roadside access is available for much of the river.  The river eventually joins another popular trout fishing destination, the Roaring Fork River. 

Some places are great for the trophy seeking expert angler and others for the novice out to find consistent fishing.  Flyfishingconnection.com gives advice as to who should take a fishing trip to Frying Pan River. 

Planning a trip? The Fryingpan would be an excellent choice for the novice and skilled angler alike. Its consistent flows help make it a dependable trip (there are always exceptions) then some others may be. Large trout, quality hatches, clear cold waters and beautiful scenery make for a wonderful experience.

Frying Pan Fish Species

• Rainbow  Trout
• Cutthroat Trout
• Brook Trout
• Brown Trout

Frying Pan River Fishing Trip Reports

Fliesandfins.com has a winter fishing trip post on the Frying Pan River.  The reports features the tale of a gorgeous rainbow trout (pics at site) caught by the author.

I switched out the mysis shrimp with an orange egg of the same size hoping for the legendary Frying Pan Rainbow Trout we had come for. After a few casts my wish was granted. A hesitation of my indicator brought my rod tip up and “there he is” was shouted. I could see the beauty racing through the water his bright red stripe left no question in my mind of what kind of trout it was. I gave Amy a shout and she came down to help me net the fish. I brought the fish closer to shore and Amy netted the beast like a pro, one quick swipe and our Rainbow Trout was under our belt. We photographed his majesty and watched as he swam back into the depths of the pool. Both of us were all smiles and couldn’t stop talking about what we had just witnessed. A beautiful trout in an even more beautiful surrounding. I fished with a guy that once said “trout are beautiful fish and they live in beautiful places” I guess he was right.

Ed Engle talks about his yearly autumn fishing trip to the Frying Pan River at Angler Guide.

Frying Pan River Winter Fishing

This river rarely freezes over in its upper sections giving the opportunity for winter trout fishing.  The crowds of summer are gone and winter fishermen can have easy access to some of the best spots.  If you go in the winter, just remember that this river is cold in the summer and very cold in the winter.  Be careful. The other bonus is that you can combine a Colorado fishing trip with a skiing vacation.

If you can pull yourself away from the glitz and glimmer of Aspen, bring a fly box full of midges, BWO (blue-winged olive) nymphs and Mysis shrimp imitations and you’ll not be disappointed.

The Frying Pan River is only 30 miles from Aspen.  I found a great fish story on winter fishing and the psychology of a good trout water at the Mountain Gazette.

And sometimes the indicator stopped abruptly, creating the illusion of moving upstream against the steadily flowing water, and in that moment it was connected to the unseen beating heart at the bottom of the river. I set the hook and the indicator raced upstream, chasing the fleeing trout. The fly rod came alive, thrumming with the tension between two racing hearts. When I released the fish, it sidled slowly away, rainbow stripes brilliant and then fading and then gone as completely as if its heart had never been connected to mine.

Frying Pan River Fishing Patterns

The Frying Pan River is artificial flies and lures only. St. Vrain Angler gives an overview on fly patterns.

The fish on the lower Pan can be very selective; having plenty of patterns to imitate the bugs of the season is important; size can be very important. For the beginner or novice angler, using a large dry fly such as a Royal Wulff or H&L Variant during Green Drake season can be very effective when fished in fast pocket water. Larger fish are generally caught while dredging nymphs through deep pools while sight fishing. The rule here is to change patterns until you find the one that will work; be very careful with presentation. Light tippet material is often call for due to the pressure the fish receive from anglers intent on landing a “hog”.

A popular technique for fishing the Frying Pan River is imitating the Mysis shrimp according to the Angler Guide.  Here is an excerpt from the article.

The Mysis, a freshwater shrimp introduced from the Great Lakes, has wreaked havoc in many reservoir food chains. But the tiny clear and whitish shrimp have inspired a cult following among fly fishers who angle beneath dams, particularly on the Frying Pan.

The Pan is stuffed with trout food from aquatic worms, scuds and caddis to mayfly and stonefly nymphs. But Mysis that stream from the dam, sometimes en masse, are the tenderloin that grows fat trout.

A few Mysis nearly always trickle from the dam, but the big waves generally come in March. Tim Heng, who manages the Taylor Creek Fly shop in Basalt, said the shrimp, which turn milky white when they die, sometimes can be seen for more than a mile down river from the dam.

“They are mostly dead or in their dying throes when they come out,” said Heng, who, like most Frying Pan regulars, is a keen observer of the shrimp and trout that feed on them.

Fly anglers fish Nos. 18 and 20 Mysis imitations as nymphs, mostly with a dead drift, in the Frying Pan’s upper reaches. But, Heng said, swimming imitations also work. When the shrimp are dying they swim in spurts, fast at first, then floating away.

The Mysis is prevalent in the section below the Reudi Dam.  You have to read the article at Fly Fisherman to get even more information on fishing Mysis techniques.

The diversity of this river may be its most impressive quality though.  Colorado Trout Hunters describe the diversity on the river…

It has lots of fish, some monster fish, great bug life, riffles, runs, slow pools, and pocket water.  This diversity is what makes the Frying Pan so special.  If you want to throw Mysis Shrimp in the Toilet Bowl (outlet from reservoir) and have the possibility of hooking a 10 pounder, you can.  It you want to throw a hand crafted #26 BWO on 7x tippit to a riser that has refused everything in your box, you can.  If you want to fish private water for a rod fee, you can.  There are a lot of fishing
options on this river.  Give the Pan a try and see why it is such a great fishing

In the Autumn, the technique is a little different according to another Frying Pan River article on Angler Guide.

There’s no use in showing up for the Blue-winged Olive hatch on the Frying Pan River in July. If you want to fish the “olives,” you show up on the Pan in September. That’s why a group of us have rendezvoused at Roy Palm’s place around the middle of September for more than a decade.

In October, Field & Stream offers some advice.

If September is dry and balmy, you can still catch trout on grasshopper imitations in October.

Field & Stream also notes that the river doesn’t only have to be for the flyfisherman.

Black-and-silver Rapalas are also good big-fish lures.

While the most of the online information concentrates on the area immediately below Ruedi, an article at Game & Fish instructs not to ignore downriver sections.

But while the Pan’s upper reaches can be rainbow hog heaven, Rowell often prefers to fish farther downstream.

“I’m 62 years old and I’ve caught a lot of trout all the way up to 10 and 12 pounds (in the upper river sections),” he said. “But those rainbows actually get fished over so much by pros who are there 365 days a year. The hotter fish are downriver. You can go downstream and catch a 20-inch fish that’s hotter than a 10-pounder up by the dam because he’s so tired.”

Frying Pan River Hatch Chart

Here is a hatch chart for all seasons for the river.

Frying Pan River Fishing Reports

Both Frying Pan Anglers and Taylor Creek Fly Shops have very detailed fishing reports.

Frying Pan River Water Conditions

Advanced hydrologic predictions are available from the National Weather Service to help you get ready for your next fishing trip.  The USGS has the current water conditions.

Frying Pan River Guide Services

Blazing Adventures - Offers guide service on the Frying Pan River

Frying Pan Anglers - Exceptional Outfitting on the Frying Pan, Roaring Fork, Colorado River and High-Country Streams…

Taylor Creek Fly Shops - The Taylor Creek Fly Shop, located less than 30 minutes from Aspen on the banks of the Frying Pan River in Basalt, is western Colorado’s oldest and most prestigious fly-fishing specialty store, worldwide sportfishing travel and guide service.

Frying Pan Celebrity Endorsements

In case you are into celebrity endorsements, Kevin Costner likes fishing the Frying Pan.

Frying Pan River Climate

Wildernet’s good descriptive article of the Frying Pan River, which includes information about the climate.

The elevation of the Fryingpan River is approximately 7,000 feet. Persons coming from lower elevations should be aware that time is needed to adjust to the higher elevations.

Warm days and cool to freezing nights can be expected in the mountains during the summer. July and August are usually the warmest months. During this time afternoon thunderstorms are common. Be prepared for both warm and chilly weather, as well as for rain showers.

The Fryingpan river is popular for fishing year round. Due to the fact that it is a tail water fishery, it never becomes iced over. The water coming out from the dam is a consistent 40 degrees year round, which allows for year round flows.

Frying Pan River Lodging

Bed & Breakfasts and Lodges

Lodge at Rivers Edge - Beautiful and Affordable Bed and Breakfast Accommodations on the Frying Pan River

TripAdvisor.com has some reviews on the Lodge at Rivers Edge. Here is an excerpt of one of the reviews.

It is rustic yet elegant, just what I would want in a mountain home. Not a whole lot to look at with the outside of the 4 bedroom building but the surrounding deck and hot tub overlooking the rushing frying pan river makes it just right with comfortable lounge chairs and hammocks. The inside however is perfect with a huge fireplace, perfect new furnishings (orchard room I stayed in had gorgeous log bed). Probably would choose river room (because of deck) or orchard room-(every comfort attended to) but all would be fine.

Shenandoah Inn - The Inn is a recently restored home on two private riverfront acres on the gold medal trout waters of the Frying Pan River. Within walking distance of the fine restaurants and shops of Basalt, it is centrally located 20 minutes from the renown ski slopes and cultural events of Aspen, and 25 minutes from the Glenwood Hot Springs pool. Basalt offers year-round access to the best of the Colorado outdoors: skiing, fishing, biking, white water rafting, golf, tennis and more.

Cabin Rentals

Taylor Creek Cabins - Was one of your dreams to rent a cabin in Colorado?  This is your chance. This is ideal short-term cabin rental in Colorado in the Rocky Mountains at 7000-feet elevation 5.9 miles from Basalt and 20 miles from Aspen. This Colorado cabin rental opportunity is located on the Frying Pan Road at the confluence of the Frying Pan River and Taylor Creek. They are proximate to the White River National forest.

Hotels and Motels

Green Drake - The Green Drake is located near the junction of the Frying Pan and Roaring Fork Rivers, both internationally acclaimed for fine fly fishing, kayaking and river rafting.

Vacation Home Rentals

Vacation Rental Home - This home is a fly fisherman’s dream. Very warm and peaceful home with natural beauty in all directions. Home is situated on a high riverbank with stunning 180 degree views of the Roaring Fork River as it flows through the 5 acre parcel. Private Gold Medal fishing on the property. Four miles to outstanding dry fly fishing on the Frying Pan River.

 Vacation Home Rental - This property is 10 miles from Aspen, Colorado and is only 10 miles from the world famous Gold Medal Frying Pan River in Basalt, Colorado.

That’s what I found for Frying Pan River, Colorado. I have made my best effort to be as accurate as possible about the information provided but cannot guarantee its accuracy.  If you have anything to add for a fishing trip to Frying Pan River, please feel free to comment.  Also if you have taken a fishing trip to Frying Pan River and would like to write a report, let me know.