Fryingpan River Report 3-30-22

March 30, 2022

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: Mysis shrimp, Winter Stones, Midges, Sculpins

THE LOW-DOWN :  Spring is bringing much-anticipated change to the Fryingpan River. Flows are going to stay low, there is a good chance of filling Ruedi Reservoir this year. Speaking of which, what a different March we are getting this time around! It's been staying cool and the snow keeps falling, which is a blessing for sure.

Excellent technical dry fly hatches are happening now. From 11-3 we are finding risers, and the midges are prolific and ranging from a plump 18 down to as small as can be. Many anglers see these big midges and assume they are baetis, don't be fooled!

Little black winter stones are all over the snow, but it's hard to tell if the fish key in on them. If they do, they are snatching them out of the center line of the current. Try a trimmed-down black Puterbaugh caddis dry on top and a Taylor Creek Epoxyback Biot Nymph for underneath.

Don't forget to take a few streamers with you, the bite is strong right now. Crowds are lighter than you may think, the snow is keeping most locals and visitors occupied on the mountain.

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

APPROPRIATE PATTERNS:  

DRIES: 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, 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: 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 Markers 4 to 8)

WATER CONDITIONS: Clear flows, ice has dissipated and the banks are opening up.

FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Midges, Winter Stones, Sculpins

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: Winter Stones 16-18, Midges 20-26

APPROPRIATE PATTERNS: 

DRIES: 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 to Mile Marker 4) 

WATER CONDITIONS: Clear flows, ice is going away quickly

FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Midges, Winter Stones, Sculpins

OVERALL RATING: 5 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: Midges 20-26, Winter Stones 

APPROPRIATE PATTERNS: 

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

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

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

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