Taylor River
Fly fishing in Colorado · Intermediate · Best seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall
Target Species
Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout
About This Water
Below Taylor Park Reservoir, this tailwater produces trophy trout. Known for technical fishing and large fish.
Fishing Recommendations
The Taylor River is a legendary Colorado tailwater located in the Gunnison Valley. It is world-renowned for its "Hog Trough"—the half-mile stretch directly below the Taylor Park Reservoir dam—where Mysis shrimp flushes produce trout of staggering proportions. Beyond the dam, the river winds through a dramatic granite canyon, offering some of the best pocket water fishing in the Rocky Mountains.
🎣 Location Overview
The Taylor River is divided into two distinct personalities.
- The Catch and Release (C&R) Section: The first 0.4 miles below the dam. This is where the "monsters" live. Because of the nutrient-rich Mysis shrimp that flush through the dam, Rainbow trout here can reach 10–15 pounds.
- The Taylor Canyon: Below the C&R, the river flows through miles of public and private water toward its confluence with the East River at Almont. This section is characterized by fast-moving pocket water, large boulders, and deep, turquoise pools. It is rugged, beautiful, and requires physical wading.
🐟 Target Species & Behavior
- Rainbow Trout: In the C&R section, Rainbows are the primary target. They are highly educated ("PhD fish") and remarkably sedentary, holding in specific lanes to gorging on Mysis shrimp and midges. In the lower canyon, they are more opportunistic and hard-fighting in the fast current.
- Brown Trout: More prevalent as you move downstream from the dam. They are aggressive, especially in the fall, and favor the undercut banks and the slower "cushions" in front of large boulders.
- Feeding Behavior: In the upper mile, these fish are "shrimp junkies." Downstream, they behave like traditional mountain trout, keyed into heavy hatches of Blue Winged Olives (BWO), Pale Morning Duns (PMD), and various stoneflies.
📅 Best Times to Fish
- Spring (March – May): A great time for the C&R section. Midge hatches are prolific, and the fish are hungry after winter. The BWO hatch in late April/May can be world-class.
- Summer (July – August): The most popular time. The canyon comes alive with PMDs, Caddis, and Yellow Sallies. The water is clear, and the dry fly fishing is at its peak.
- Fall (September – October): My personal favorite. The Kokanee Salmon run up from Blue Mesa Reservoir, followed by massive Brown trout looking to eat salmon eggs. The colors in the canyon are spectacular, and crowds thin out.
- Best Window: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. On the Taylor, the "morning sun hit" on the water often triggers the first major insect activity.
🪰 Recommended Flies & Techniques
Top Fly Patterns
- Mysis Shrimp: Craven’s Mysis, Epoxy Mysis, or Will’s Mysis (Sizes 14–18). Essential for the upper river.
- Nymphs: RS2 (Grey/Black), Chocolate Foam Back Emerger, Pat’s Rubber Legs (for the canyon), and Pheasant Tails (Size 18–22).
- Dry Flies: Parachute Adams, Chubby Chernobyl (for hopper-dropper), Elk Hair Caddis, and Film Critics.
- Streamers: Gold or Olive Sculpzilla, Sparkle Minnows (especially in the fall for Browns).
Techniques
- The Sight-Fish Nymph: In the C&R, you aren't blind casting. You are spotting a specific fish, measuring the depth, and drifting a Mysis shrimp or midge larva directly into its "feeding window" (about a 6-inch box in front of its nose).
- Pocket Water Picking: In the canyon, use a "Hopper-Dropper" rig with a buoyant dry fly and a heavy nymph. Cast into the soft water behind boulders and hold your rod high to keep the line off the conflicting currents.
- The "Taylor Drift": Micro-drifts are essential. Because the water is so clear, any hint of "drag" on your fly will result in a refusal.
💡 Pro Tips & Local Knowledge
- Go Small and Light: In the C&R section, 6X or even 7X fluorocarbon tippet is often mandatory. These fish see thousands of flies; if your leader is thick, they won't touch it.
- The Stealth Factor: Do not wade into the middle of the C&R pools. Stay on the bank or the edge. These fish are easily spooked by shadows and vibrations.
- Mysis Flush: Watch the dam release. If the Bureau of Reclamation increases the flow, it often flushes more shrimp through, sending the big fish into a feeding frenzy.
- The Lower River Secret: While everyone crowds the dam, the water 10 miles downstream near Almont holds beautiful, wild fish that are much less pressured and more willing to rise to a dry fly.
⚠️ Important Information
- Regulations: The 0.4 miles below the dam is Catch and Release Only. You must use barbless hooks and artificial flies/lures only.
- Access: Much of the Taylor Canyon is a checkerboard of public (National Forest) and private land. Look for "Public Fishing" signs and respect "Private Property" markers.
- Wading Safety: The Taylor is a "boulder garden." The rocks are incredibly slick and the current is deceptive. I highly recommend felt-soled boots (where legal) or studs, and a wading staff.
- Permits: A valid Colorado Fishing License is required. You can purchase these online or at fly shops in Gunnison or Almont.
Guide’s Final Word: The Taylor is a "bucket list" river. Don't be discouraged if you get "skunked" in the C&R section your first time—it’s one of the most technical stretches of water in the US. Take a deep breath, enjoy the granite cliffs, and remember: you're casting at fish that are older than some high schoolers!
Bug Hatches & Matching Flies
| Hatch | Type | Peak months | Time of day | Hook sizes | Matching flies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mysis Shrimp Mysis diluviana | crustacean | January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December | All Day | #16-20 | Willms' White Lightning #18-20, Stalcup's Mysis #16-20, Craven's Mugly Mysis #18-20 |
| Midges Chironomidae | midge | January, February, March, April, October, November, December | Morning/Afternoon | #18-24 | Black Beauty #20-24, Top Secret Midge #20-24, Griffith's Gnat #18-22 |
| Blue Winged Olive Baetis | mayfly | April, May, September, October | Late Morning/Afternoon | #18-22 | JujuBaetis #18-22, RS2 #18-22, Parachute Adams #18-22 |
| Green Drake Drunella doddsii | mayfly | July, August | Late Morning/Afternoon | #10-14 | Taylor River Drake #10-12, Hairy Wood Duck Drake #12-14, Quigley's Film Critic #12 |
| Pale Morning Dun Ephemerella excrucians | mayfly | July, August | Morning/Early Afternoon | #16-18 | Pheasant Tail #16-18, PMD Sparkle Dun #16-18, Barr's PMD Emerger #16-18 |
| Golden Stonefly Hesperoperla pacifica | stonefly | June, July | All Day | #8-12 | Pat's Rubber Leg #8-12, Amy's Ant #10-12, 20 Incher #10-14 |
| Caddis Brachycentrus & Hydropsyche | caddis | June, July, August | Afternoon/Evening | #14-18 | Elk Hair Caddis #14-18, LaFontaine's Deep Sparkle Pupa #14-16, Godzilla Caddis #14-16 |
| Yellow Sally Isoperla | stonefly | July, August | Late Afternoon/Evening | #14-16 | Yellow Stimulator #14-16, Micro Mayfly (Yellow) #14-16, Sally Patch #16 |