Fryingpan River Report 5-22-19

May 22, 2019

UPPER FRYINGPAN (Mile Marker 8 to Ruedi Reservoir)

FLOW: 250 cfs and will probably be 300 cfs by the weekend

WATER CLARITY: Clean, clear, cold. Don't fret if the lower river is off-color, it will clean up above mile 4.

OVERALL RATING: 7 out of 10

FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Midges, BWO adults and nymphs, mysis shrimp

THE LOW-DOWN : Increased flows this week have spurred some pretty good BWO activity, and we will probably see the river holding around 300 cfs by the weekend. Be prepared with both midge and BWO adults. In the mornings nymphing with small midge patterns seems to be most productive, then switching to baetis patterns in the afternoon. We've seen BWOs hatching until 4 and 5 o'clock recently!

Mysis shrimp are always a factor in the upper reaches, so be sure to have a few of our Tim Heng's and Will Sands' mysis patterns in your box.

Hunting around the upper river with a small streamer can be a lot of fun, you just might turn the biggest fish in the run with a well-presented streamer.  Try adjusting your retrieve until the fish give you some positive feedback, and seek out shady areas versus those with bright sun.

This is going to be a big water year around here, there are forecasts for Ruedi becoming full by early July. You couldn't have two more vastly different water years from last year to this one!

HATCHES:  Blue Winged Olives 20-22, Midges 20-26, winter stones 16-18, mysis shrimp 16-20

APPROPRIATE PATTERNS:  

DRIES:  Perfect Baetis 20-22, No Hackle BWO 20-22, Collett's Para BWO 20-22, Bill's Midge Emerger 20-22, Skittering Z-Lon Midge 20-22, Biot Wing 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:  Split Case BWO 20-22, Epoxyback Baetis 20-22, Tungsten Hoover Baetis 20-22, Maggot Midge 20-22, Rojo Midge 20-22, Neon Nightmare 20-22, Lil Foamy 18-20, 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:  Slumbuster 6-8, The One Sculpin 4-6, 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: Low and clear flows

FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Caddis, BWOs, Midges

OVERALL RATING: 7 out of 10

THE LOW DOWN: The middle Pan as of late has been a sweet spot for finding some great BWO hatches, and also seeing the first signs of caddis adults skittering on the service. 

No need to rush to the upper, there is plenty of excellent fishing in this section..

HATCHES: Caddis 16-18, BWOs 18-22, Midges 20-26

APPROPRIATE PATTERNS: 

DRIES: Peacock Caddis 16-18, Ethawing Caddis 16-18, Parachute Adams 18-22, Hackle Dun Baetis 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, Medallion Midge 20-22, Bead Wing Midge 20-22, Rojo Midge 20-22

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: Slightly off color recently

FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Caddis, BWO adults and nymphs, midges.

OVERALL RATING: 6 out of 10

THE LOWDOWN: The lower Pan has been yo-yo-ing with water clarity, but the fishing has only seem to get better. In the lower stretches we are able to throw larger flies and heavier tippet. 

Stones, worms, and princes have been great lead flies while trailing small baetis patterns.

For hatches, we are seeing BWOs, Caddis, and a few midges. 

HATCHES: Caddis 16-18, BWOs 18-22, Midges 20-26

APPROPRIATE PATTERNS: 

DRIES:  Pearl and Elk Caddis 16-18, Elk Hair Caddis 16-18, Perfect Baetis 20-22, Sparkledun Baetis 18-22, Morgans Midge 18-22, Perfect Baetis 20-22, Collett's BWO 20-22, 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

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

HINTS: This will be the first section to see some bigger bugs, try using stoneflies as an attractor.

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

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