Colorado ·
Frying Pan River Fly Fishing Report - September 6, 2026
FRYING PAN RIVER
ReportSEP 6 — 13, 2026
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Flow
69CFS
FRYINGPAN RIVER NEAR RUEDI, CO.
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Water Temp
—
Updated 2026-09-06
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Weather
48–83°F
Partly Cloudy
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Clarity
Clear
Check post-storm
The Fryingpan is running a very low and clear 69 CFS at the Ruedi gauge (gauge height 1.17 ft), well below seasonal averages — expect spooky fish and demand for fine tippet and precise presentations. Sunday shapes up sunny and warm to 83°F with light winds, ideal for afternoon dry-fly action as terrestrials and early BWOs come into play.
What's Working — Hot Flies
Juju Baetis Tungsten #22
22
Olsen's Peacock Blowtorch Barbless #22 - 24
22-24
Parachute - Blue Wing Olive #22
22
Barr's Flashback Emerger - BWO #22
22
Tungsten Tailwater Sowbug - Rainbow #10
10
Egan's Silver Bullet - Baetis #14
14
Olsen's Hare's Ear Blowtorch Barbless #20 - 28
20
Bionic Ant 2.0 - Black #16
16
Bionic Ant 2.0 - Brown #12
12
Coffey's CH Sparkle Minnow Sculpin #6
6
Egan's Thread Frenchie Jig - Olive #12
12
Roza's World Spain Perdigon Barbless #18 - 32
18
Hatch Chart
| Insect | Size | Activity | Prime Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midge | 20-24 | Heavy | 8 AM - 11 AM |
| Blue-Winged Olive (Baetis) | 20-22 | Moderate | 11 AM - 2 PM |
| Pale Morning Dun | 16-20 | Light | 10 AM - 1 PM |
| Mysis Shrimp | 14-18 | Heavy | All Day |
| Terrestrials (Ants) | 14-16 | Moderate | 1 PM - 5 PM |
| Sculpin / Streamer | 4-8 | Light | 6 AM - 9 AM |
Best Time Window
- 6:30 AM - 9:30 AM: Early streamer and Mysis nymphing in the deep slots before full sun hits the water — fish are active and less wary in low light.
- 10:30 AM - 1:30 PM: Prime dry-fly window as BWOs and PMDs begin hatching in the warming mid-morning air; watch for rising fish in the slower tailouts and flat glides.
- 1:30 PM - 5:30 PM: Terrestrial time — work ant and beetle patterns along grassy, undercut banks as temperatures peak near 83°F and ants fall to the surface.
Guide's Tip
From the benchAt 69 CFS the Fryingpan is running gin-clear and low, which means long leaders are non-negotiable — go 12 to 14 feet with a 6X or 7X fluorocarbon tippet for nymphing and step up to 7X for dry flies. Wade slowly and stay low; fish in this kind of clarity will bolt at a careless footfall or a shadow crossing the run. Focus your nymphing efforts on the deeper green slots and the soft water directly behind mid-channel boulders where fish can hold without burning energy. During the BWO and PMD windows, target rising fish from downstream and present the fly before the leader — one drag-free drift is often all you get.
Main Species
Rainbow Trout
Brown Trout
Mountain Whitefish
