Fryingpan River Fishing Report — August 17, 2026

If you've been trying to plan a trip to the Fryingpan this week, you've probably noticed it hasn't been easy to pin down. Flows on the Pan have been all over the place — managers have been adjusting releases repeatedly throughout the week, and that kind of inconsistency makes for tough, unpredictable fishing.

When flows are constantly changing, the fish don't have a chance to settle into a rhythm. Feeding lanes shift, holding water moves, and the bugs struggle to hatch on any kind of reliable schedule. What was working in the morning may not be working by afternoon, and what worked yesterday may be completely different today.

That said, the Fryingpan is still the Fryingpan — there are fish in there, and they can still be caught. You just need to be willing to adapt. Focus on slower, softer water away from the main current seams, and be ready to move if a spot isn't producing. Smaller nymphs fished deep have been the most consistent approach when flows are running higher or fluctuating, and don't overlook the banks and eddies where fish will stack up to wait out the changes.

What to Throw on the Fryingpan Right Now

Based on what's been working on the Pan over the past several weeks, here are the flies worth having in your box:

• Mysis Shrimp — Size 18–22 — A Fryingpan essential, especially near the dam and Toilet Bowl where Mysis flush out of Ruedi Reservoir. One of the most reliable patterns on the Pan year-round.
• Pheasant Tail Nymph — Size 16–18 — A Fryingpan staple. Fish it deep on a tight line when flows are up and fish are holding low.
• RS2 — Olive — Size 18–22 — One of the most consistent producers on the Pan, especially near the Toilet Bowl and in slower tailouts. Works as a dropper or under an indicator.
• Zebra Midge — Size 20–24 — When fish get selective between hatches, a Zebra Midge in black/silver or red/black is hard to beat. Always have a few.
• Green Drake Dry Fly — Size 10–12 — Green Drakes have been showing on the Pan. When the hatch kicks off, rising fish are everywhere — be ready with a Comparadun or CDC pattern.
• PMD — Pale Morning Dun — Size 16–18 — A reliable mid-morning producer. Match with a Parachute PMD or Sparkle Dun when fish are sipping in the slower seams.
• Blue Wing Olive — BWO Comparadun — Size 18–22 — BWOs come on strong on overcast days and in cooler morning hours. A go-to on the Pan when conditions are right.
• San Juan Worm — Size 10–12 — With flows fluctuating all week, a San Juan Worm can be a great search pattern to find active fish in off-color or higher water.

We're keeping a close eye on the release schedule and will update conditions as things stabilize. If you want the latest before you head out, stop by Glenwood Springs Outdoors and we'll give you the most current read on what's happening out there.

Available in store at Glenwood Springs Outdoors, 831 Grand Ave, Glenwood Springs, CO.