Fishing Season: Year Round

Taylor River - CO

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

32

Willowfly Anglers's Tip of the Week

The Taylor River below Taylor Park reservoir, aka the C&R, is still at winter flows of 100 CFS. Fishing is best from 11am to 4pm now, during the heat of the day which will prompt sporadic baetis and midge hatches. With the low flows fish are certainly edgy and a great presentation is imperative. As always at the C&R, be courteous to other anglers on the water as this tailwater can be busy. We are all out there to have fun! At this technical tailrace: focus on a great presentation, light tippets, a long leader, and a stealthy approach to feeding fish. Downstream of the C&R in Taylor Canyon, Midges and the occasional winter stonefly are the primary hatches. The dry fly fishing is sporadic, but can still be decent on warmer afternoons. Nymphing and streamers are both solid options as we are approaching spring now. Frenchies, zebra midges, beadless pheasant tails, and eggs are all good options. Be careful in the canyon section, as most of the banks are still iced over. Keep an eye out for rainbow, cutbow and cutthroat trout redds and please avoid stepping on them if you see them. Have fun, respect and enjoy this amazing and challenging tailwater fishery!

Directions open in app

Map of Taylor River

Water Flow Data

Tidal Conditions

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby

Willowfly Anglers

5-Day Outlook as of 3/15/24

Focus your fishing on afternoons for the best shot at hatches and feeding trout. As we are well into the coldest months of the year be sure to layer up and wade carefully. Snow is in the forecast!

Techniques & Tips as of 3/15/24

Nymphing, Streamers, and dries (if you see rising fish).

Local Species Available Year Round

  • Fish Icon

    Trout

Willowfly Anglers's Recommended Fly Patterns

"Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Bead Head Micro Midge Natural 18-22
Bead Head Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail Natural 18-22
Bead Head Barr Emerger Grey 18-22
Micro Egg Tan 14-18
Miller's Candy Cane Shrimp White 18-22
Mole Fly Brown 18-24
Adams Grey 20-22
Tunghead Pheasant Tail Jig Natural 18-22
Miller's D-Midge Grey 18-22
Black Beauty Black 20-22

Bead Head Micro Midge

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Willowfly Anglers's Recommended Gear

Description: About Taylor River

The Taylor River is fed from high up in the Colorado Rockies and drains into Taylor Reservoir at about 9,300 feet. The tailwater below the dam flows down through Taylor Canyon some 20 miles before it joins the East River to form the Gunnison River at Almont. The Taylor is a medium-sized river which contains deep pools and pocket water, and plenty of riffles and runs. The bottom releases from Taylor Reservoir provide constant and predictable flows, and consistent hatches throughout the season. The Taylor River contains a very high density of trout, including wild browns, rainbows, and cutthroat. Some rainbow trout are also stocked during the season. The upper section of the Taylor River just below the dam is designated catch-and-release (C&R) water. This is trophy trout water with a lot of fish in the 8 to 12-pound range, along with some much larger fish. These big wild trout enjoy a constant food source which includes a steady diet of mysis shrimp and midges. The C&R section can be very challenging and requires some technical angling skills. This section of the Taylor River can be fished year round. There is plenty of public access throughout Taylor Canyon. It can be a difficult river to wade, so many anglers use a wading staff for added safety. Chest waders are recommended. A 9-foot 5-weight fly rod is a good all purpose choice for the Taylor River. The peak season is from mid June to mid September, and fall fishing in Taylor Canyon can be spectacular.

Nearest Airport:

Gunnison-Crested Butte Airport

Hatches:

Midges, Baetis, Winter (little black) Stonefly

Best Time to Fish:

11am - 4pm

Best Stretch:

C&R

Best Access:

C&R