Fryingpan River Report — August 1, 2026
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Status as of August 1, 2026: The Fryingpan River is fishing very well. Strong dry fly activity and consistent opportunities throughout the day make this one of the better options in the valley right now.
With increased releases from Ruedi Reservoir coming, expect conditions to shift. Higher flows can move fish, affect wading access, and change how insects move through the system. The great thing about the higher flows is that it will flush out a lot of sediment and debris in some areas which has impeded the mayfly activity. The cleaner river edges and bottom will make access easier. So give the river a little time to settle after the releases increase. Head to the wider sections of the river where the flow will be less concentrated and wading easier.
Current Fly Recommendations
- Green Drake Dry Flies — Size 10–12
- PMDs — Size 16–18
- Blue Wing Olives (RS2) — Size 18–22
- Yellow Sallies — Size 14–16
- Pheasant Tail Nymphs — Size 16–18
- San Juan Worms — Size 10–12
The Frying Pan is still one of the best options in the valley — stop by the shop at 831 Grand Ave, Glenwood Springs and we’ll get you dialed in with the right flies and the current conditions before you head out.