Fryingpan River Report 3-21-23

March 21, 2023

UPPER FRYINGPAN (Mile Marker 8 upstream to Ruedi Reservoir)

FLOW: 45 CFS

WATER CLARITY: Clean, clear and ever-cold

OVERALL RATING: 8 out of 10 (darn good dry fly fishing!)

FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Mysis shrimp, Midges, Winter Stoneflies, Sculpins

THE LOW-DOWN :  Flows are decreasing for the time being, and the hatches have been steadily improving this week! The hatches are "simplified" and we are encountering small-to-increasingly-larger midges and some size 16-18 black winter stoneflies as well. Usually we see a few hours of dry fly action between noon and 3pm. With plenty of snow on the local ski areas, crowds have been quite light. Fishing in the shade tends to be better than sunny spots.

Road accessibility has been well maintained this winter, although after a heavy snow it may take a day or two for the plow trucks to clean up the secondary roads. Choose your battles, and there's no shame in parking at the top of the Day Use Area and walking down if you're not sure your vehicle can handle the access hill. We do not recommend accessing the Day Use Area with a two wheel drive!

Mysis shrimp are a year-round food factor, and don't forget your box full of streamers for low-light periods or any time it's breezy or snowy. 

HATCHES: Midges 18-26, Winter Stones 16-18

APPROPRIATE PATTERNS:  

DRIES: Perfect Baetis 20-22, TC Sparkledun BWO 20-22, No Hackle BWO 20-22, HOH Hanging Midge Grey/Black sz 20-22, Mole Midge 20-22, Roy Palm's Special Frying Pan Emerger 20-22, Bill's Midge Emerger 20-22, HOH CDC Midge Adult 22-24, HOH CDC Spent Midge 22-24, Hatching Midge 20-22, Morgan's Para Midge 20-22

NYMPHS: CDC RS2 Grey/Black sz 20-22, BMW Foam Top RS2 Grey/ Black 20-22, Killer Mayfly Olive/ Brown 22, Jigged JJ Nymph BWO 18-20, 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, Tim's Mysis 16-18, Will's Epoxy Mysis 16-20

STREAMERS: Cousin It Sculpin sz 6, Baby Gonga Tan/Yellow sz 8, Autumn Splendor sz 8, Carlton Banks White/Olive sz 4

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

MIDDLE FRYINGPAN (Mile Marker 4 upstream to Mile Marker 8)

WATER CONDITIONS: Clear flows

FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Midges, Sculpins

OVERALL RATING: 6 out of 10 

THE LOW DOWN: Access has improved significantly as we are warming up. 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: Midges 20-26

APPROPRIATE PATTERNS: 

DRIES: Harrop's CDC Biot Dun BWO 20-22, Harrop's CDC Thorax BWO 20-22, Mole Midge 20-22, HOH Hanging Midge 20-22, 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: 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, Bead Wing Midge 20-22, Rojo Midge 20-22, 

STREAMERS:  Tungsten Double Mint sz 8, Beldar Lemon Drop sz 8, White Zuddler sz 8, Hansen's Meal Ticket sz 4

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 upstream to Mile Marker 4) 

WATER CONDITIONS: Clear flows

FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Midges, Sculpins

OVERALL RATING: 6 out of 10 

THE LOWDOWN:  Access to the lower river has vastly improved with the warming temperatures! If Euro or Czech nymphing is your thing, the lower Fryingpan is ideal. 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.  Dry dropper rigs can be deadly in this section of river.

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

HATCHES: Midges 20-26

APPROPRIATE PATTERNS: 

DRIES: Harrop's CDC Biot Dun BWO 20-22, CDC Comparadun BWO 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 Sparkle Flag PMD 16-18, Morris May PMD 16-18 

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

STREAMERS:  Home Invader sz 2, Grease Monkey Natural sz 4, Double Dirty Hippy sz 4

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

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

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