Frying Pan River, Colorado
Gold Medal Tailwater — World-renowned technical fishing and monster rainbows fed by Mysis shrimp
The Frying Pan River below Ruedi Reservoir is one of the most technically demanding and richly rewarding trout fisheries in Colorado — a Gold Medal designated water where the average fish size exceeds what most anglers encounter in a lifetime of fishing. The river's extraordinary productivity stems from a quirk of the reservoir above: Ruedi Reservoir supports enormous populations of Mysis shrimp (a small freshwater crustacean), which flush through the dam outlet and into the river, providing a year-round, protein-rich food source that grows trout to exceptional size.
The result is a 14-mile tailwater where rainbow trout averaging 18–22 inches are genuinely unremarkable, where fish over 24 inches are regularly encountered, and where the trophy catch of a lifetime awaits the patient, skilled angler. The Gold Medal designation covers the upper section from the dam to Basalt, where catch-and-release regulations and the 2-fly artificial-only restriction protect this extraordinary fishery.
Hatches on the Frying Pan are world-class despite — or perhaps because of — the year-round Mysis shrimp availability. Blue-Winged Olive hatches in spring and fall provide spectacular dry fly opportunities. Summer PMD hatches draw dry fly purists from across the country. But the subsurface Mysis shrimp pattern is the secret weapon, responsible for some of the largest fish caught in the river throughout the year.
The Frying Pan's proximity to Aspen and Basalt (15 and 5 miles respectively) makes it genuinely accessible despite its Gold Medal designation, and the Basalt area supports excellent fly shops and guides who can decode the river's considerable technical demands.
Ruedi Reservoir Outlet — Upper Gold Medal
Park at the reservoir boat ramp area. The most productive and most pressured section. Fish are largest here due to Mysis shrimp concentration. Be here early.
Toilet Bowl and Seven Castles
Famous named pools in the upper Gold Medal section. Accessible via the river trail. Fish hold in predictable lies — observe before casting.
Basalt — Lower Access
River Road parallels the lower river through Basalt. Multiple access points. Less pressure than upper sections. Good PMD and Caddis water in summer.
Rainbow Trout
Dominant species with exceptional average size. Mysis shrimp diet produces fish of extraordinary bulk. 18–24 inch fish are genuinely common in the Gold Medal section. Some of the largest rainbows in Colorado.
Brown Trout
Present in lower sections. Less common than rainbows but significantly larger potential size. Most active during fall spawning season — October is prime.
Mysis shrimp patterns outperform everything else sub-surface on the Frying Pan year-round. Carry size 16-18 white or translucent patterns always.
The Frying Pan's big fish are accustomed to seeing every fly ever tied. Long, fine tippet (6x) is mandatory — 5x is noticeably less effective.
The 'Toilet Bowl' pool holds the river's most famous fish and is watched by dozens of anglers daily. Observe rises for 10+ minutes before selecting a fly.
October is exceptional for brown trout. Pre-spawn browns are aggressive and less selective than spring fish — streamer fishing produces trophy catches.
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