Tiny Baetis mayflies are perhaps the most commonly encountered and imitated by anglers on all American trout streams due to their great abundance, widespread distribution, and trout-friendly emergence habits.
General Region | Western Colorado |
Specific Location | Frying Pan River, Basalt, CO |
Dates Fished | 7/28 |
Time of Day | 8 AM - 4 PM |
Fish Caught | Rainbows, Browns, Hybrids |
Conditions & Hatches | Flows are perfect at 226 but big runoffs have changed the dynamics of the river slightly. PMD's are abundant, a lot of small white midges hatching in abundance. Hatches started around 10 AM and were constant through late afternoon. Most active I've ever seen the fish on the Pan. Best results on top were with a size 18 pinkish Sparkle Dun. No action on adult duns. Underneath they were very active on Princes, Miracle Midges, and Red Brassies. I used size 16 for the Prince, 20 on the midge, and 24-26 on the Brassies. Size 6 leader and tippet, size 7 for the dropper Fish were rising to Green Drakes but I didn't see any flying above the 9 mile point. But apparently they've seen them this summer so don't be afraid to use a big Green Drake to drop your midges. Fish were also rising to the Sparkle Dun when there wasn't rapid rising so they were definitely paying attention to the surface. |