Taylor River, Colorado (excerpted from Flywater Interactive) "The Taylor, in its tailwater stretch, is one of the great big-fish rivers of the West." Colorado's Taylor River. The Taylor, in its tailwater stretch, is one of the great big-fish rivers of the West. Fattened by an ample supply of mysis shrimp flowing through the dam, these trout will run to 10 pounds and beyond. And unlike many other tailwater monsters, these fellows will eat rather willingly -- usually subsurface, but for brief periods, the dry fly can be used to take the larger fish. The mysis shrimp responsible for the staggering growth rate in the Taylor were stocked in the reservoir in the 1970s. This is the same shrimp which nourishes the whoppers in the Frying Pan and Blue River tailwaters. The runoff on the Taylor comes a little later than on most Colorado rivers. The process doesn't get underway until late May and will generally keep the river out for three weeks to a month. The lower section (tailwater) of the river extends from the town of Almont up to the Taylor Park Reservoir. Campgrounds and public access alternate with private land along this stretch. The private land is well marked -- one might say belligerently well marked. Just below the dam for 300 yards the river is closed year round. Below this closed section down to the first stretch of private land (less than a mile) the angler will find the largest trout. The tailwater holds both browns and rainbows in about equal numbers. However, most of the large trout caught will be rainbows. Along with the oversized trout, you will find a good number of fishermen. A weekend in August on the Taylor is no place for a man or woman seeking solitude. The water coming through the dam is extremely cold. If you plan an early spring trip, be sure to put on a couple of layers of long underwear and take your bootfoot waders. Winter fishing on the Taylor can be excellent but if you catch it during a cold snap, it will make a day on the Dean in winter look cozy. It is not unusual to see anglers returning to their vehicles to re-rig with the heater on. The Taylor above the lake is a very beautiful mountain freestone. Along with the rainbows and browns, the angler here will find a population of cutthroat and brookies. The river below averages 60 feet across; the river above is usually less than 15. Small nymphs and attractors are perfect here. Fish will be much smaller than in the tailwater -- a good fish here is 14 inches. FR 472 follows the Taylor up from Almont and around the reservoir to the upper river. Below the reservoir, the mysis shrimp pattern is the number one fly for the larger trout. The shrimp is most often fished in tandem with an annelid or a tiny midge larva pattern (Brassie, Serendipity). These combinations are fished throughout the season. In the cold months of winter, early spring and fall, both midge and Baetis fishing can be extremely good. Cast either Griffith's Gnats or Baetis patterns to rising fish in the cold months. The upper tailwater is composed of pools and runs with sandy bottoms and large boulders. The crippled Baetis flies are a good choice in this water. The fish will rise only sporadically and for a short period. Be ready with your dries to take advantage of this brief but exciting event. Post runoff, mid- to late June, will see the Green Drakes on the river. This popular hatch of #12 insects brings a crowd of anglers from Crested Butte and the surrounding area. This hatch will only run about 10 days but is the one time of year you can count on Taylor River trout looking up. In July and part of August a decent Pale Morning Dun hatch gains importance. The caddis population on the Taylor is more than adequate and both caddis larva and Elk Hair Caddis will work well during the summer months. In late summer, hoppers can be the best bet for urging trout to the surface. The chance to bring one of those seven-pounders up with a hopper is enough enticement to bring a healthy population of anglers to the Taylor in August. A trip to this great tailwater (as well as the freestone above the reservoir) would be a welcome addition to any flyfisher's year. If possible, avoid the summer and visit the Taylor in the early spring or better yet, the fall. The big fish don't leave but many of the anglers do. The Taylor River is one of 50 rivers covered in the CD-ROM Flywater Interactive. In addition to the River Profiles on each of those 50 rivers, you will find maps, photographs, hatch information, fly charts, support services, regulations and more. The Flywater Interactive CD-ROM sells for $59.95 and can be ordered by telephoning 800-692-6292. Two coffee table books, Watermark and Flywater by Grant McClintock and Mike Crockett, are also available. Or visit Flywater Interactive at www.flywater.com. Copyright © 1996 Flywater Publishing. All rights reserved.