Salomone: Prepping for the Fryingpan River
Michael Salomone/Courtesy photo
Fly fishers along the Eagle River Valley benefit from close proximity to an immense amount of world-class water, gold medal designations and picture-perfect settings — all within a short drive from the town of Vail. The Colorado River sits firmly in the thoughts of every Rocky Mountain fly fisher. The Eagle River provides scenic fly fishing from beginning to end. And Gore Creek slides through Vail with the same bubbling murmur found in meditative nature recordings used for relaxation and good sleep.
If you extend that perimeter a little farther, angling destinations include two of the best tailwaters to be found: the Blue and Fryingpan Rivers. Both of these tailwater fisheries present fly-fishing opportunities that can’t be found anywhere else in the world. But easy access, stunning scenery and ultimate angling elevates the Fryingpan River above the Blue River.
I began prepping as soon as I made up my mind to drive over for a weekday outing.
Prepping for a winter day on the Fryingpan River always gets me excited. Why? Giants live in the safety of depth in the Toilet Bowl. Consistent stocks of mysis shrimp plump rainbow trout beyond distortion. Brown trout develop painted hues with dark burgundy and bold, muddy yellows. And some of the largest Brook trout I’ve watched feeding possess a disproportionate body wherein their length doesn’t reciprocate their girth.
In the Toilet Bowl, mysis shrimp are on the menu. Reminds me of the “All-you-can-eat” fried shrimp baskets my parents would buy me as a kid visiting Florida. I would eat until I was miserable, but in a good way. The same fate falls upon the Fryingpan trout.
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My affection for the Fryingpan River has spanned decades. As a result, I have acquired an extensive variety of patterns and discerned which ones produce more action.
In the water downstream, the approach should be more midge and small, Blue Wing Olive-focused. Midges rule and will cause fly fishers to reach for dry fly boxes during softly falling snow in the middle of winter. It can be a surreal fly fishing experience on the Fryingpan River, from fishing with shrimp flies to dry fly fishing in the snow.
Before you go make a checklist of necessities. This is the prepping that ensures a good day on the water. What are your must haves and items of importance?
Flies that are made specifically for the Fryingpan River are not found in every fly shop. Mysis shrimp are a food source that was introduced into Colorado. Some fine-tuned shrimp flies have emerged from the necessity to taunt the giants in the Toilet Bowl. Start with the mysis flies you have the most confidence in using. Confidence means you know it is going to get eaten.
Some of the patterns that have bred confidence over the years come from well-known fly tiers like Cravens and Sands. Your own personal Frankenstein patterns born on a vise through a marriage between string and steel can be just the difference the fish haven’t seen before.
Waders equal layers of warmth and wind protection when fishing the bowl. One is not really in the water unless crossing to the far side. Down and GORE-TEX are a necessity in the winter months. Upsize your boots in the cold. Toes that can wiggle stay warmer.
Five-weight rods are the preferred choice as well as a reel with reliable drag. Fish are line shy, requiring the use of long leaders. Bring along heavy weights — you’ll need them. When fishing with two mysis flies, tying them on tag ends off the leader gives a disconnected appearance.
The drive is easy along Interstate 70 and down Colorado State Highway 82 to Basalt. Fryingpan Road leads out of Basalt to the east. Fourteen miles up the road is the access point for the dam, where named sections like the infamous Toilet Bowl, Bend Hole and Baetis Bridge are located.
When I arrived at 10:30 on a weekday morning, the lot was empty. I scrambled to pull on my waders and boots. After rigging my rod, I hurried up to the point where water exits from the bottom of the dam and fills the infinite depths of the Toilet Bowl.
Prepping at home made the day easier. I was ready for any encounter. And I had it all to myself.
Michael Salomone moved to the Eagle River valley in 1992. He began guiding fly-fishing professionally in 2002. His freelance writing has been published in magazines and websites including, Southwest Fly Fishing, Fly Rod & Reel, Eastern Fly Fishing, On the Fly, FlyLords, the Pointing Dog Journal, Upland Almanac, the Echo website, Vail Valley Anglers and more. He lives on the bank of the Eagle River with his wife, Lori; two daughters, Emily and Ella; and a brace of yellow Labrador retrievers.
