River Information

The Frying Pan River is arguably one of Colorado's most popular rivers. This 42 miles long tributary of the Roaring Fork is home to some of the largest trout in the state but they do not typically come easy. Light tippets, long leaders and small flies is the rule here, but the rewards can very realistically be the trout of a lifetime. Generally running very cold and crystal clear, sight fishing opportunities abound here--frequently with dry flies. The Frying Pan is a very buggy river with it's Trico, PMD, BWO, Caddis and Green Drake hatches bringing in anglers to the valley from near and far throughout the year. The river offers anglers quite a bit of variety as it flows down stream. The higher you go towards the dam (14 miles from Basalt) the river fishes very much like a tailwater. Mysis shrimp being generated out of Reudi reservoir are a high protein food source the trout readily feed on. The river is generally flatter in the upper miles compared to down lower and is no secret to anglers. If you're hoping to have the river to yourself, you should look elsewhere. As you get closer to the town of Basalt, the river gets more canyon-esqe and fishes slightly more like a freestone. Focusing on the pocket water through this stretch with stoneflies, caddis and streamers can be very productive. It's often much easier to find a stretch of river to call your own in the lower section as well.