Spring is here, and the Fryingpan River below Ruedi Reservoir is dialed in for fly anglers who love precision, sight fishing, and technical takes. In this April 2025 fly fishing report, we cover everything you need to know to succeed on one of Colorado’s most iconic tailwaters. Whether you’re hunting trophy trout near the Toilet Bowl or working emerger patterns in the flats, this is the episode to get you dialed.

We break down current conditions with flows at 164 CFS, water clarity that’s gin-clear, and water temps holding in the low 40s—ideal for Mysis shrimp and Blue Winged Olive activity. Mornings are slow and cold, but by late morning, midges and BWOs start to stir, bringing trout into feeding lanes. You’ll hear real-time updates on the bugs, the fish behavior, and where to be (and when) for your best shot at a 20-inch rainbow.

🎧 In this episode, we cover:

✅ The Myth and Magic of the Toilet Bowl
How to fish the powerhouse section directly below Ruedi Dam, when to go, and how to avoid spooking fish that have seen every pattern in your fly box. Mysis Shrimp is the name of the game—but not the only one.

✅ Effective April Hatch Strategies
We cover the full lineup:
• Midges in the early morning
• Blue Winged Olives in the afternoon
• Mysis Shrimp all day long (in the upper section)
• The first few caddis bouncing around lower down the canyon

Get the exact fly patterns and sizes that are working now, from Zebra Midges to Barr’s Emergers and CDC BWOs, plus rigging tips that give you an edge in this technical fishery.

✅ Top 3 Flies Right Now:
• Dry: Blue Wing Olive Parachute (#18–22) – Perfect on overcast days and slow water
• Nymph: Mysis Shrimp (#16–18) with a trailing RS2 or Top Secret Midge
• Streamer: Sculpin or small leech patterns for deep water on low-light days

✅ Where to Fish by Mile Marker
We walk you through the river section by section, with special focus on the Upper Fryingpan (Mile Marker 8–12) where trout key in on shrimp, and the Middle Pan (Miles 4–8) where pools and pocket water offer dry-dropper opportunities. The Lower Fryingpan gets a little more flow fluctuation but can reward persistent anglers with BWO sippers and solitude.

✅ Access Tips & Hot Spots:
• Bend Pool – Consistently productive and often overlooked
• Baetis Bridge – Afternoon hatches and soft seams draw risers
• The Flats – Sight-fish to spooky trout in shin-deep water with long leaders and 6X tippet
• Toilet Bowl – Deep, oxygen-rich, shrimp-loaded—and always a challenge

✅ Rigging & Gear Advice:
You’ll want a 9-foot 4 or 5-weight rod, long leaders (12–14 feet), and fluorocarbon 5X–6X tippet. Euro-nymphing setups are deadly here, especially in high-pressure zones. Be stealthy. These fish are pros.

✅ Regulations & River Etiquette:
We cover Fryingpan-specific regulations, including barbless hooks, catch-and-release expectations, and how to handle fish safely in cold spring conditions. We also talk landowner rights and how to stay within the legal fishing zone near the dam.

🎯 Who This Podcast Is For:
Whether you’re a local who fishes the Pan weekly, or you’re planning a trip to Basalt or Aspen and want to sneak in a day of technical tailwater fishing, this episode gives you the seasonal advantage. It’s fly fishing intel without the fluff.

—

🎣 Want More Reports Like This?
Check out RiseBeyondFlyFishing.com for real-time, no-BS fly fishing reports covering the Colorado, Roaring Fork, Crystal, South Platte, and more.

🎧 Press play, tie one on, and rise beyond.