Frying Pan Anglers - Colorado Fly Fishing at its Finest

For Fly Fishing on the Frying Pan River, the Roaring Fork River and the Colorado River for the week ended 4th January 2008

Happy New year to all. We trust that the holidays treated you well and your travels were safe.

With 14inches of snow over the last week and a base of 63inches on the mountains, the snow conditions attracted quite a few visitors to our area. The temperatures varied quite a lot with it hitting 41 degrees towards the end of the week. Sunday though got a little colder. It should remain colder for the next few days with a little more snow possible. But later in the week the weatherman is calling for more warmer weather again. Traditionally January is colder without much snow. So we shall see whether such traditional patterns come into play.

With another 14inches of snow during the week, the snow continues to build and settle along the edge of the Pan. The recent snow and winds continue to blow drifts along the edge of the Pan making access problematic at some places unless you are careful. The prediction is for a little more snow over the coming week but it appears that the weather is settling down a little.

The days are now starting to get longer. A few days of sun and there will be some more good midge hatches. Closer to the dam the browns are now out on the redds. So take care of them and stay clear. There is no point standing on a redd dragging egg patterns across disturbing the spawning fish. It takes no skill to hook them and disturbs breeding patterns for next season.

Recommended Flies: Now we are well into winter conditions, and the patterns will be predominantly midges and egg patterns. Try a worm pattern and a hare’s ear as well as an attracter for variety.

With the days noticeably shorter, it is now a matter of trying to follow the sun. When it is cloudy the distinction between light and shadow will be less pronounced but on a bright day, as soon as the sun goes behind any of the peaks it will get colder quite quickly and the midge hatches will abate.

As the conditions get colder it will be a matter of fishing to the depth of the fish. That will be key. If the fish are lying low just add weight to your midge patterns until you can drift the fly right to the fish.

The midges will come off during the day, particularly if it is sunny. So try WD-40's #20 , red and black chironocones #20, brassie's #18 - #22, midge larva patterns #18 - #22, copper johns #18 - #22, black polywings #18 - #22 and garcia's rojo midges # 18 - #22.

If the fish start moving higher in the water column or get active under the surface, try the gray loopwing emergers #20 - #22, the FPA special emergers, biot emergers both with and without the trailing shuck and gray RS2's #18 - #22.

When they are on the surface, try dry patterns such as the z-wing real midge, suspended midge and any similar dry black and gray patterns such as a parachute Adams in sizes from #20 through to #28.

Roaring Fork

Current Flow: near Emma - 211cfs (if you want more uptodate figures check out current readings on our "Links" page).

The ice continues to build up along the banks of the Fork in the shaded areas. With the expected additional snow in the coming week, it will continue to build up ice dams particularly higher up. The better fishing on the Fork is lower down towards Glenwood.

Recommended Flies: Try midges and eggs as well as very small baetis nymphs and attractors such as princes and hare's ears.

For baetis try nymph patterns such as pheasant tails #18 - #24. For midges look at our suggestions for the Pan.

In addition try san juan worms, brassies, and copper johns.

Colorado River

The Colorado can offer some good winter fishing particularly down lower where the sun can get onto the water.

Recommended Flies: BWO nymphs, emergers and dries; midge emergers and dries during the hatches, 20 inchers size #10 - #14; streamers #2 - #8, egg patterns.

Over Winter Cameron and Mike will be conducting fly tying classes during week evenings. The classes are free. Seriously. The only cost is for the materials you use in tying your flies which you take home.

So if you have any interest in attending any of the classes give Art a call at the shop on (970) 927 3441 and leave your name and contact details. We would love to see you.

Have you tried a Winston fly rod? You owe it to yourself. We have Winston fly rods which you can test drive from the shop. Click here to have a look.

We have had such success with St Croix this year we have decided to offer you a deal which should be irresistible. Click here to have a look.

We are pleased to announce a general merchandise gift certificate program. Under this program you get a gift certificate with purchases of general merchandise.

If you would like to receive this report on a regular basis please email us at report@fryingpananglers.com and let us know.

Are you interested in a career as a fishing guide? We are always on the lookout for good guides who are interested in establishing themselves in our catchment area. Whether you want to be a wade guide or a float guide we have opportunities open. If you are interested give us a call at the shop (970 - 9273441) and speak to Art about the requirements and opportunities.

Frying Pan Anglers is a specialty fly fishing shop, and a licensed (#2389), insured outfitter in the State of Colorado.

We provide guiding services on the Frying Pan River, and float and guiding services on the Roaring Fork and the Colorado Rivers.

Whether you are a beginner or an accomplished angler, you can't go wrong by using one of our guides to help you learn our area's fine rivers. It is always a good idea to hire a guide at the onset of your vacation so you will learn the rivers and pick up on some of our productive fishing techniques.

In addition to walk/wade guided fishing trips we also offer float fishing trips in McKenzie style river boats. We supply the equipment and a hearty lunch on full-day trips.

Basalt is a short, thirty-minute drive from Aspen and is at the center of Colorado's Gold Medal fly fishing. The Frying Pan River joins the Roaring Fork just a few hundred yards from our front door.

We now have our own private access stretch of the Frying Pan River. It is available to those staying in Taylor Creek Cabins, guided trips and where there is availability, the public provided they sign in at the shop. This is the best Colorado Fly Fishing has to offer.