Colorado
Frying Pan River
Latest report: Fryingpan River Report August 30, 2026 — Taylor Creek Fly Shops, yesterday
Solunar · next 7 days
About Frying Pan River
The Frying Pan flows 42 miles from the Sawatch Range down through Ruedi Reservoir to its confluence with the Roaring Fork in Basalt. The headwaters above Ruedi are small, technical, and lightly fished. The fishing reputation rests on the 14 miles of Gold Medal water below Ruedi Dam — a clear, stable, cold tailwater famous for selective wild rainbows over 20 inches and Mysis shrimp diet that produces some of the largest trout in the lower 48. The 'Toilet Bowl' immediately below the dam holds the river's most concentrated population of trophy fish.
The Frying Pan tailwater fishes year-round on consistent reservoir releases of 100-400 CFS depending on the time of year and water year. The signature food source is Mysis shrimp — freshwater opossum shrimp that flush out of Ruedi Reservoir on cold water releases. Pearl Necklace and Mysis Shrimp patterns are tied year-round just below the dam. Tiny midges (sizes 22-26) are reliable in every month. BWOs run from March through May and again in September-October. Green Drakes hatch sporadically in summer. The river is wadable across most of its length but selective — long leaders, 6X-7X fluorocarbon, and very precise drifts are standard.
Basalt is the town at the bottom of the river — full services, multiple fly shops, and the road to Ruedi runs along the river the entire 14 miles with constant pullouts and public-fishing easements. Drive times: 4 hr from Denver, 25 min from Aspen, 1.5 hr from Eagle/Vail. Elevation is 6,800 ft at Basalt to 7,800 ft at Ruedi Dam. The reservoir-release tailwater means the river fishes well in every season — winter midge fishing in the lower 4 miles, spring BWOs, summer Mysis-and-Green-Drake combinations, fall BWOs and brown spawn. Hoot-owl restrictions are not a concern given the cold reservoir releases.
Species
- Rainbow Trout
- Brown Trout
- Cutthroat Trout
| Species | Abundance | Best Season | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | Abundant | Year-round | 14-26" |
| Brown Trout | Common | Sep-Nov | 12-22" |
| Cutthroat Trout | Limited | Jul-Sep | 10-16" |