Frying Pan River Fly Fishing Report - January 1/4/2026
FRYING PAN RIVER FLY FISHING REPORT
Tailwater Fishing Below Ruedi Reservoir (near Basalt / Aspen, CO)
Report Date: January 4, 2026 | Next Update: January 11, 2026
Current River Conditions
Winter is in charge. Water is cold and clear—fish are concentrated in deeper runs and slow troughs and are picky. If you match size and silhouette (tiny midges and subtle emergers) you will be rewarded.
Flows & Clarity
Typical winter release: ~62 CFS below Ruedi Reservoir (confirm before you go).
Clarity: Very clear — sight-fishing limited to calm pockets; heavy line control required.
Typical winter release: ~62 CFS below Ruedi Reservoir (confirm before you go).
Clarity: Very clear — sight-fishing limited to calm pockets; heavy line control required.
Water Temperature
Current: low 40s °F (≈ 4–5°C).
Fish are holding low and slow; nymphing and tight indicator work best early, emerger/dry opportunities midday if the sun warms the surface.
Current: low 40s °F (≈ 4–5°C).
Fish are holding low and slow; nymphing and tight indicator work best early, emerger/dry opportunities midday if the sun warms the surface.
Weather & Forecast
Cold mornings with periodic sun breaks through the week. Light-to-moderate winds common in the afternoons. Watch for quick temperature swings — the river responds to air temps below freezing with lethargic surface activity.
Cold mornings with periodic sun breaks through the week. Light-to-moderate winds common in the afternoons. Watch for quick temperature swings — the river responds to air temps below freezing with lethargic surface activity.
Access & Safety
Lower Fryingpan road and parking areas are usually open; watch for icy patches at trailheads and lot edges. Wading in winter requires microspikes on approach and a wading staff. Tell someone your plans.
Lower Fryingpan road and parking areas are usually open; watch for icy patches at trailheads and lot edges. Wading in winter requires microspikes on approach and a wading staff. Tell someone your plans.
Food Sources & Hatch Expectations
| Insect / Food | Sizes to Match | Activity | Prime Window |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midges (dominant) | #18–24 (very small) | Heavy — primary winter food | All day; best late morning to mid-afternoon |
| Blue‑Winged Olive (BWO / Baetis) | #18–22 | Occasional — picky risers on warm/cloudy spells | Midday on warmer days |
| PMD (sporadic) | #16–20 | Light — emergers on warm afternoons | Late morning to early afternoon |
| Mysis / small shrimp & sculpin | Small slim nymphs / mysis imitations | Important subsurface food — especially upper stretches | Throughout the day on deeper runs |
| Terrestrials (rare) | #10–16 | Low — only after warm spells | Occasional midday |
Recommended Flies (winter — January)
Fish are selective — think small, dark, slim, and realistic. Below are tested patterns (links to purchase) that match the Fryingpan winter menu. Sizes shown are a starting point; trim and shallow-tune hook/weight as needed for dead-drift finesse.
Dry Flies & Emergers (target occasional risers and emergent activity)
- Parachute - Blue Wing Olive — delicate parachute for selective BWO risers (#18–22)
- Stealth Link Mercer - PMD — slim emerger/dun profile for midday PMD activity (#18–20)
- Sparkle Dun - PMD (Cream/Yellow) — reliable PMD silhouette for picky fish (#18)
- Comparadun - PMD — low-profile surface option when fish key on emergers (#18–20)
Nymphs & Jigged Nymphs (primary win in winter)
- Egan's Thread Frenchie Jig - Olive — slim jig nymph for Euro/indicator work in tight currents
- Tungsten Dart - Red — fast-sinking dart for holding depths and getting down to fish
- Roza's World Spain Perdigon (barbless) — compact perdigon for picky takes
- Pheasant Tail Tungsten — a universal beadhead nymph for baetis and general nymphing
Midges / Tiny Subsurface Patterns (the bread-and-butter)
- Black Zebra Midge (TBH) — classic winter midge, dead-drift or jig (#18–22)
- Jujubee Midge Flash - Zebra — micro midge with flash for winter pods
- Bling Midge - Black — tiny, high-contrast midge useful under low light
- Top Secret Midge — simple midge profile for tight fish
Streamers & Sculpin Imitations (use when water is slightly warmer or at sightable structure)
- Coffey's CH Sparkle Minnow Sculpin — sculpin profile for aggressive browns and hookups in deeper runs
- Sculpzilla - Olive — articulated/streamer sculpin imitation
- Sculpzilla - Black — darker profile for low-light or tannic pockets
- Galloup's Dungeon - Olive — compact baitfish/streamer for strip-and-swing methods
Tactics, Rigs & Quick Tips
Rigging: 12–14' leaders with a long, fine tippet (6X–7X) for dries and emergers. For nymph rigs use short dropper (12–20") or Euro indicators with tungsten micro-nymphs.
Nymphing strategy: Dead-drift small midges and slim baetis emergers under an indicator or in a dry-dropper setup. Jig nymphs retrieve through slower troughs; subtle twitches often trigger follows.
Dry-fly approach: On warmer afternoons look for isolated risers in seams and behind rocks—present small dries and emergers gently and strip any trailing line off the water.
Streamer approach: Work streamers slowly along undercut banks and deep tails of pools; short strips and pauses are effective with sculpin patterns.
Spot selection: Fish deeper troughs, seams, and the inside of big eddies; flows below Ruedi push trout into predictable lies.
Nymphing strategy: Dead-drift small midges and slim baetis emergers under an indicator or in a dry-dropper setup. Jig nymphs retrieve through slower troughs; subtle twitches often trigger follows.
Dry-fly approach: On warmer afternoons look for isolated risers in seams and behind rocks—present small dries and emergers gently and strip any trailing line off the water.
Streamer approach: Work streamers slowly along undercut banks and deep tails of pools; short strips and pauses are effective with sculpin patterns.
Spot selection: Fish deeper troughs, seams, and the inside of big eddies; flows below Ruedi push trout into predictable lies.
Tackle & Gear Suggestions
Rods
3–6 wt for dries/nymphs (soft tips help detect subtle winter takes).
6–7 wt if you plan heavy streamer work.
3–6 wt for dries/nymphs (soft tips help detect subtle winter takes).
6–7 wt if you plan heavy streamer work.
Lines & Leaders
Weight-forward floating for dries; full-sink or sink-tip for deep streamer retrieval.
Long tapered leaders (12–14 ft) with 6X–7X tippets for winter stealth.
Weight-forward floating for dries; full-sink or sink-tip for deep streamer retrieval.
Long tapered leaders (12–14 ft) with 6X–7X tippets for winter stealth.
Terminal Tackle
Small split shot or tungsten beads to get micro-nymphs down; carry micro-jigs and 18–24 midge sizes.
Small split shot or tungsten beads to get micro-nymphs down; carry micro-jigs and 18–24 midge sizes.
Clothing & Safety
Layer for cold (base, insulating, waterproof shell). Microspikes and a wading staff recommended for approaches and icy banks.
Layer for cold (base, insulating, waterproof shell). Microspikes and a wading staff recommended for approaches and icy banks.
A Short Winter Checklist
- Bring a full complement of tiny midges (#18–24) and slim baetis/PMD emergers.
- Two nymph rigs: a micro-jig (tungsten) and a soft beadhead nymph on dropper.
- Streamer setup if you want to work deep runs in low light.
- Check real‑time Ruedi Reservoir releases and watch for icy access.
