Frying Pan River
Colorado Fly Fishing
Frying Pan River
- •Sight-nymphing in deeper seams (Black Beauties, RS2, fine tungsten PT)
- •Dry-dropper rigs (BWO or midge dry over an emerger)
- •Soft-hackle/emergers and micro midges
- •Small streamers near structure during evening
- •Terrestrials (beetles or ants) when wind or sun edges rise
Blue-winged olives (BWOs) and midges remain the principal hatches, particularly in soft seams and slower flows. A Drake hatch may surface in overcast late afternoons. Rusty spinners and mole flies can drift near banks in the evening. Terrestrials occasionally drop from riparian edges as light fades.
Detailed Report
The Frying Pan is in classic tailwater form this October. With flows near 139 cfs, water is clear and cold—ideal for precision casting and fine presentation. In the mellow light of early morning, trout hold in deep seams, "buckets," and behind larger rocks. Use tungstened nymphs (Black Beauty, RS2, micro PT) with delicate tippet to reach these holding fish. By mid-morning, fish begin to expand into softer currents, inside edges, and drag seams. This is the time for dry-dropper rigs: a BWO or midge dry floating overhead, a fine emerger or soft-hackle can tempt selective rises. Given the clarity, make your drift drag-free with long leaders and minimal fly line in the water. If cloud cover rolls in, a Drake hatch may briefly spark activity in slower runs. But more often, trout remain keyed to midges and BWOs. If surface activity wanes, drop to soft hackle emergers or micro droppers to reach fish just under the film. Evening opens the door to streamer action. Trout begin shifting toward structure—cutbanks, undercuts, seam breaks. A slim, natural streamer twitched gently near the edge can provoke aggressive takes, especially from browns feeling bold in low light. Overall, trout behavior is shifting: they rotate between depth, seams, and edges depending on drift, light, and hatch peaks. Don't linger too long on one method. Probe seams, shift between techniques, and stay alert for subtle sipping fish in slow seams.
Dries
Sparkle BWO / BWO Sparkle Dun #18–20, micro midges #20–22, small October Caddis #16–18
Nymphs
Tungsten Pheasant Tail #18–20, RS2 / Sparklewing RS2 #20–22, Zebra Midge #20–22
Streamers
Slim minnow patterns (olive, tan, pearl) #8–12, micro leeches #10–12
Other
Beetles / ants #14–16
- •Use long leaders and light tippet—subtlety is rewarded in the clear water.
- •Rotate methods frequently—if one rig goes stale, switch early.
- •Target seams and edges—fish often hug current breaks more than open runs.
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