Fryingpan River Fly Fishing Report: Fall Tactics for Trophy Trout

It’s October 7th, and the high-country chill is finally putting some real backbone into the Fryingpan River. If you’ve been listening to the rumors about warm water or closed sections, do yourself a favor and stop reading the forums. The Pan is running clear, cold, and right at 115 CFS. It’s exactly where you want to be if you’re chasing trophy trout. My name is Woody Kiehl, and I’ve spent thirty years watching these fish get smarter, but they still can’t resist a perfectly presented BWO or a chunky Mysis shrimp imitation when the flows are this steady. We’ve got some murky water in those top four miles near the dam, but don’t let that scare you off—the fish are active and holding in their usual lies. These Fryingpan fish are spoiled, I’ll give you that. They’ll ignore a caddis like it’s yesterday’s news, but if you put a size 20 Blue Winged Olive or a PMD imitation in their lane during the morning or late afternoon, you’re in the game. I’ve been putting my clients on some serious big rainbows and big browns lately, using my trusty Sage fly fishing setups to punch through the light canyon breeze. Whether you’re wading the upper stretches or looking to explore further afield, the Roaring Fork Valley remains the epicenter of Aspen area fly fishing. While my new Clackacraft drift boat is usually reserved for the bigger water on the Roaring Fork—running from Aspen down through Basalt, Carbondale, and out to Glenwood Springs—the Fryingpan is the place to refine your technical game. And if you’re tired of the same old bar scene for bachelor or bachelorette parties, get your crew out on the water. There is nothing like a scenic float fishing trip to celebrate before the wedding bells ring. We’ve got the best gear, including top-tier Hardy fly fishing reels, to ensure you don’t lose that fish of a lifetime when it makes its final, desperate run toward the tail-out. The midday sun can get a bit bright, but that’s when you tuck into the shade, swap to a sculpin pattern, and hunt for the monsters hiding in the deep pockets. Don’t settle for average water. Come see why Aspen Angling Company is the premier guide service in the valley. We’ve got the experience to find the fish, no matter how selective they’re being. Give me a call at Aspen Angling Company today, and let’s get you on the oars or in the boots for the best day on the water you’ve had all year.