Frying Pan River

Classic early-fall conditions on the Pan: clear water, cold flows, and dependable insect activity throughout the day. Fish are still stacked in deeper runs in the morning, feeding on small nymphs and emergers. As the sun creeps into the canyon and air temps warm, expect trout to slide into softer seams and flats to intercept drifting mayflies and midges. The Drake hatch has been most reliable between 2 and 4 PM—and when they pop, the trout will rise consistently for a couple of hours. Keep your approach delicate and stealthy. The water is clear and low enough that 5X–6X tippet and spot-on drifts make the difference. When you see rising fish, cast above them and let your fly drift naturally into the lane. If the surface feed stops, switch to a CDC BWO emerger under a dry or indicator. Late in the day, a small leech or zonker fished low and slow can entice a larger brown looking for a bigger meal.