Destination Highlight – Taylor River Colorado
If you enjoy catching monster trout under spectacular scenery, on an accessible river with many other recreation opportunities, then look no further than the Taylor River in Southwestern Colorado.
Our Motto: Get You To Better Fishing! TM
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Sponsored Fly Shop and Guide Service
These guys know the river well – check them out!
Willowfly Anglers Three Rivers Resort
130 Co Rd 742, Almont, CO 8121
(970) 641-1303
[email protected]
888-761-FISH (3474)
www.3riversresort.com
Why fish the Taylor River?
- Very scenic at its headwaters, fed from high up in the Rockies into Taylor Reservoir at 9,300 feet. Lake fishing includes large trout and northern pike.
- Thriving river fishery has a high density of wild browns, wild and stocked rainbows, and wild cutthroat.
- Designated catch-and-release (C&R) stretch is just below the dam, year round, and more technical than downstream.
- Big 8 to 12-pound trophies in the C&R enjoy a steady diet of mysis shrimp and midges.
- Some of the best brook trout fishing in Colorado can be found in the headwater streams & beaver ponds above the reservoir
- Tailwater is readily accessible for 20 miles throughout Taylor Canyon by rural highway 742.
- Medium-sized river has lots of structure, deep pools, field water, extensive riffles and runs.
- Bottom releases from reservoir provide constant and predictable flows, resulting in consistent hatches.
- 20 to 30-fish days are not uncommon. Plenty of public access, although sizable sections are marked private only .
- Multitude of campgrounds and private resorts. Lower section of river subject to whitewater rafting in spring.
- At the town of Almont the Taylor joins the East River to form the Gunnison River
Getting To The Taylor River
The Taylor is way off the beaten path, yet at the same time not all that hard to get to.
Public / major airports:
- Denver (DIA) – 243 miles, 4:22 hrs drive
- Grand junction (GJT) – 150 miles, 2:53 hrs drive
- Central CO Regional (AEJ) – 101 miles, 1:52 drive
Private / smaller airports:
- Gunnison Crested Butte Regional Airport – 21 miles, 0:31 hrs drive
- Buckhorn Ranch Airport – 19 miles, 0:31 hrs drive
[For a detailed map with fishing “go to spots,” Top 10 flies by season, and much more, click here to get the full field guide.]
Recommended Gear & Tips For The Taylor River
Conditions are diverse so take a full range of gear.
Headwater Streams & Beaver Ponds
| Leader: | 8-9 foot with 8X tippet |
|---|---|
| Fly Rod: | 8 foot 4 weight |
| Fly line: | double tapered floating |
| Wading: | optional: hip or chest waders, wading staff |
| Tips: | many miles of gravel roads to traverse, make sure your vehicle is up to the task. |
Taylor Reservoir:
| Leader: | 10 foot with 6X tippet |
|---|---|
| Fly Rod: | 10 foot 8 weight |
| Fly line: | weight forward sink tip, or floating depending on fishing strategy |
| Tips: | shore access is plentiful, at the same time a boat will open up more possibilities |
Taylor River:
| Leader: | 9 foot with 5X tippet |
|---|---|
| Fly Rod: | 9 foot 5 weight |
| Fly line: | weight forward floating |
| Wading: | chest waders, wading staff |
| Tips: | river is mostly fishable casting from one side, but requires wading to thoroughly fish the fields and bends. Careful wading during spring snowmelt as runoff causes strong currents. |
When Should I Fish The Taylor River?
The Taylor is fishable year round, all day, yet focusing when and where you go can greatly increase your success.
Conditions shown are typical, but can change quickly so be sure to check in with the fly shop for latest conditions before heading out!
Time of year
Time of day
Flow Levels
- Optimal between 150 – 250 cfs
- Fishable between 250 – 350 cfs, above that try another day
- Fishable between 50 – 150 but fish spook at low levels
- Note high water from spring runoff can extend well into June and July, check flow level before fishing.
Safety first!
Like much of Colorado, this area is subject to extremes. Be ready for changes while enjoying the usually terrific weather and fishing conditions.
High altitude (abover 9,000 feet),
arid sunny and hot climate – drink lots and rest often- Rapidly changing weather: wind, storms, lightning, flash floods
- Wide temperature: ranges in summer 30 – 95 F
- Dense poison ivy (vines 5 feet high), stinging nettle,
ticks – wear long pants, repellent - Secure all food and scented items such as toiletries from bears
- Never disrupt, approach or feed wildlife
- Filter, boil or treat river water
High altitude (abover 9,000 feet),
Dense poison ivy (vines 5 feet high), stinging nettle,On the Lookout For Wildlife
Keep your eyes on the lookout in-between all those fish you are catching!
Animals
Blackbears, Coyote and Mountain Lions, Yellow-Bellied Marmot
Golden-Mantled Ground Squirrels and Gray Rock Squirrels, Chipmunks and Mountain Cottontails Beavers, Moose, Elk/Wapiti, Mule Deer, BigHorn Sheep, Skunks, Badgers, Long-Tail Weasels and Ringtail Cats.
Birds
White-Throaded Swifts, Violet Green Swallows, Peregrine Falcon, Blue Grouse, Cooper’s Hawk, Red Tailed Hawks, Turkey Vultures, Golden Eagles and Canyon Wren
Reptiles
Garter Snakes, Smooth Green Snakes, Great Basin Gopher Snakes, Striped Whipsnakes, Lizards and Salamanders
Taylor River Conservation & Regulations
- Artificial Flies & Lures Only. Below the Catch & Release stretch, maximum 4 fish possession all species
- All trout must be returned to the water immediately
- Opening/Closing dates are weather permitting. For more information, call: (928)-537-8888
- Do NOT move firewood. In effort to prevent the spread of tree killing organisms, please gather and burn firewood on site.
- Do not feed wildlife
- Colorado State fishing license, wilderness permit required in certain areas
- Clean, drain, dry all equipment to stop invasive species
Trout Unlimited Gunnison Angling Society (GAS)
gunnisonanglingsociety.org
5% of our revenue supports Trout Unlimited
& other conservation efforts
About This Taylor River Guide
We want you to get to better fishing, faster.
This “all-in-one” field guide will get you up the fishing curve much faster, right at your fingertips, in your fly vest field. Each edition is reviewed by local guides for accuracy and thoroughness.
We love traveling to new streams and wilderness areas to fish.
The thing is, even the best new spots take figuring out. Each one fishes differently and has its own secrets. I’m usually on a stream several days before I feel like I really understand it.
Why this guide?
Insects vary between even adjacent watersheds so local fly patterns and fishing methods evolve and adapt. Good information is scattered – road maps, books, fly shops, topo maps, online fishing reports, more. Once there…will you really find the best spots – or just where the crowds go? How many hours do you spend scouting instead of fishing?
We love fly shops and guides!
We honor and support the fly shops and guides that know the river best. Fly shops have personality and are an experience, where fishing lore is exchanged. Large online retailers may sell en mass, but their general sales are rarely specific to what you really need to catch fish. So, we highlight and sponsor fly shops and guides that can make your experience the best.
Sponsor Fly Shop and Guide Service On Taylor River
These guys know the river well – check them out!
Willowfly Anglers Three Rivers Resort
130 Co Rd 742, Almont, CO 8121
(970) 641-1303
[email protected]
888-761-FISH (3474)
www.3riversresort.com
Located in the historic mountain town of Almont, CO, our cabins date back to the 1800’s, only a short walk from where the Taylor and East Rivers merge to form the Gunnison. Blue skies, high mountains, and crystal clear trout-filled waters make our location ideal. The Gunnison National Forest is our backyard. We offer the most experienced guides for fishing, rafting, kayaking, horseback riding, zip line tours, and more.
About the Author
An avid flyfisher for 40 years, Mark Velicer has lived and flyfished in Washington, Michigan, California, Pennsylvania and New York along with countlessfishing trips to other states and countries. During his busy career working for three Fortune 500 companies, he noticed how much time it takes to figure out a new fishing spot – right when he’d rather be fishing! His favorite place to be is on the water, including white water kayaking, rafting, drift boating, and hiking to alpine lakes. Currently he and his wife and three daughters live in Pennsylvania with their white golden retriever, two bunnies and three guinea pigs.
Publisher’s Corner
We welcome your comments! We publish updates to our guides every year, in order to enhance, improve, and correct our content.
To provide comments, ask about permissions, workshops, trainings, or guide services, email [email protected], or call 425-457-2143.
Text, images, illustrations, and format, all rights reserved (c) 2018 Mark Velicer.
Created & printed in the U.S.A. Printed on Terraslate™ waterproof and indestructible paper, to keep up with your many years of enjoying the Taylor river.
The publisher makes no representation or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness, correctness, or usefulness of this information and specifically disclaims any implied warranties or results. The advice, strategies and techniques described herein may not be suitable for all individuals. The publisher shall not be responsible for any physical harm up to and including death, loss of profit or other consequences or damages. The publisher assumes no liability arising out of or relating in any way to the application and/or use of the information contained herein.
