Fryingpan River Report 12-8-21

December 8, 2021

UPPER FRYINGPAN (Mile Marker 8 to Ruedi Reservoir)

FLOW: 43 CFS

WATER CLARITY: Clean, clear and ever-cold

OVERALL RATING: 7 out of 10 

FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Blue Winged Olives, Mysis shrimp, Midges

THE LOW-DOWN :  This summer and fall brought us some of the strongest mayfly hatches we've ever seen. The main reason we saw such prolific hatches is the lower-than-usual flows releasing from Ruedi Dam. Most years we enjoy fishing larger mayflies into November, but with the low flows of summer, most drakes and PMDs have already done their thing.

BWO and midge hatches have now taken center stage, and there are still a few hours of excellent dry fly fishing in the early afternoons. Let's all keep an eye out for spawning beds as we start to cool off, and kindly educate those you see walking on or fishing over the redds.

HATCHES: Blue Winged Olives18-22, Midges 20-26

APPROPRIATE PATTERNS:  

DRIES: Hackle Dun Baetis 20-22, Harrop's CDC Biot Emerger BWO 20-22, Roy Palm's Special Frying Pan Emerger 20-22, Bill's Midge Emerger 20-22, Skittering Z-Lon Midge 20-22, HOH CDC Midge Adult 22-24, CDC Transitional Midge 22, HOH CDC Spent Midge 22-24, Hatching Midge 20-22, Morgan's Para Midge 20-22

NYMPHS: BMW Foam Top RS2 Grey/ Black 20-22, Killer Mayfly Olive/ Brown 22, Jigged JJ Nymph BWO 18-20, Maggot Midge 20-22, Rojo Midge 20-22, Neon Nightmare 20-22, Bling Midge 20-22, Flashdance Midge 20-22, TC Candy Cane Midge 18-22, Money Midge 20-22, T Midge 20-22, Medallion Midge 20-22, Tim's Mysis 16-18, Will's Epoxy Mysis 16-20

STREAMERS:  Slumpbuster 6-8, Grease Monkey 4, Baby Gonga Rust/ Black 8, Crispy Critter 4, Tim's Autumn Splendor 4-6

HINTS: Hatches are thick in one spot and "not so much" in others, move around until you find 'em!

MIDDLE FRYINGPAN (Mile Markers 4 to 8)

WATER CONDITIONS: Clear flows

FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: BWOs, Midges

OVERALL RATING: 6 out of 10 

THE LOW DOWN: For those who get bummed out seeing other anglers, here's a hint: the middle river has the same hatches without the crowds! Another benefit of fishing the middle river is the plethora of public access. What is private is clearly marked, and the rest is there for you to explore.

 HATCHES: BWOs 18-20, Midges 20-26

APPROPRIATE PATTERNS: 

DRIES: No Hackle BWO 18-22, Roy's Special Fryingpan Emerger 20-22, Skittering Zelon Midge 20-22, Bill’s Midge Emerger 20-22, Brooks Sprout Midge 20-22, HOH CDC Spent Midge 22-24, HOH CDC Midge Adult 24, Hatching Midge 20-22, Morgan's Para Midge 20-22

NYMPHS: Red or Lime Copper John 14-18, Flashwing Black (or gray) RS2 20-22, Zebra Midge Red 18-20, Black Beauty 20-22, Maggot Midge 20-22, Kingrey's Cap'n Hook 20-22, Medallion Midge 20-22, Bead Wing Midge 20-22, Rojo Midge 20-22, Cat Poop Stone 8-12

STREAMERS:  Skully Bugger Rust/White 4, Bonefish Deep Minnow 6-8, Bread n Butter Bugger 6-8

HINTS: Fish a whole mile of river, you'll fish many different water types and get shots at a lot of fish!

LOWER FRYINGPAN (Basalt to Mile Marker 4) 

WATER CONDITIONS: Clear flows 

FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: BWOs, Midges

OVERALL RATING: 6 out of 10

THE LOWDOWN:  The fish in the lower Fryingpan are not as paranoid as their cousins up under the dam- this makes for terrific beginner water where the fish will still eat bigger flies with not-so-perfect drifts.

If the crowds of people upstream are thick, come explore some lower Fryingpan access spots!

HATCHES: BWOs 18-22, Midges 20-26

APPROPRIATE PATTERNS: 

DRIES: Perfect Baetis 20-22, Hackle Dun Baetis 20-22, Morgans Midge 18-22, Hatching Midge 20-22, Sprout Midge 22-24, HOH CDC Spent Midge 22-24, HOH CDC Midge Adult 24

NYMPHS: Red or Lime Copper John 14-18, Jerome Baetis 20-22, RIP Midge 20-22, Medallion Midge 20-22, Ultra Bling RS2 Gray 18-20, Desert Storm Midge 20-22, San Juan Worm 10

STREAMERS:  Slumpbuster Black 6-8, Wooly Bugger Olive 4-8, Autumn Splendor 4-8

HINTS: Great section to work small streamers, just keep moving!

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/co/nwis/uv/?site_no=09080400

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