Colorado Fishing Reports ยท Colorado Basin
The Fryingpan below Ruedi Dam is one of Colorado's most famous tailwaters, with trophy trout that feed on Mysis shrimp in the first stretch below the dam.
Looking for the latest Below Ruedi Reservoir river report? This page is updated by the AvidMax fly shop team with live flows, current conditions, hatches and the flies working now on the Fryingpan River โ Below Ruedi Reservoir.
Current flows
Wind forecast
Below Ruedi Reservoir fishing report
Updated November 7, 2026.
Water is about 40ยฐF and clear below the first few miles, with a steady release around 40 cfs.
Midges and BWOs in sizes 20 to 24 are the main hatches. Fish Mysis shrimp in the first quarter mile below the dam. Use long, drag-free drifts and keep the line and indicator off the fish. Cloudy days bring the best hatches, from about 11 am to 3 pm.
Load your fly box
Before you head to Below Ruedi Reservoir, bring: Mysis Shrimp #16-20, Barr', s Emerger #20-22, Zebra Midge #20-22, RS2 Emerger #20-22, Parachute Adams #20-22, JuJu Baetis #18-22, Pheasant Tail Nymph #16-20, Black Beauty #20-24, Egg #14-16, Squirmy Wormie #12-14.
Flies working right now
The flies above that we have in stock right now.
Below Ruedi Reservoir river details
| Access | Frying Pan Road from Basalt. Follow the mile markers, and watch for private water. |
|---|---|
| Elevation | About 6,600 to 7,600 ft |
| Drive from AvidMax | About 207 miles, roughly 4 hours 27 minutes from our Centennial shop |
| Best season | All year |
| Fish | Brown and rainbow trout, with trophy fish below the dam |
| Regulations | Gold Medal Water with special catch-and-release and flies-and-lures rules. Check Colorado Parks and Wildlife for the current rules. A Colorado fishing license is required. |
| Leaders and tippet | 9 to 12 ft leaders, 6X to 7X fluorocarbon |
| Camping | Ruedi-area national forest campgrounds |
| Kids | Partly. Easy roadside access, but the fish are very selective. |
| Good to know | The water below the dam is crowded on weekends. |
Fishing by season
Winter
Midges, open all year.
Spring
BWOs.
Summer
Green drakes and PMDs.
Fall
Red quills, BWOs and fewer people.
How to get there
Take Frying Pan Road east from Basalt about 14 miles to Ruedi Dam.