Taylor River - CO

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Willowfly Anglers's Tip of the Week

The Taylor River at the Catch and Release section (AKA C&R) is at 77 CFS and it should remain for the winter. There is still some late-day bug activity at the C&R – primarily Red Quill, BWO, Midge and Mahogany duns. Dry fly fishing is technical, with size 20 – 24 flies being the mainstay. Mole Flies, Foam Wing RS2’s, Massacre Midge’s and Parachute Extended Bodies have all been productive flies for us. Nymphing will still be your most productive method as the hatches are sporadic and vary from day to day. Great presentation is key, with flies in the 20 – 26 size range. Black Beauties, Tron Emergers, Slim Flashback Pheasant Tails, RS2 and Jujubee Midges have been top producers. Presentation is key this time of year – long light leaders and tippet along with yarn indicators will keep you from spooking fish. Make sure you keep an eye out for Redds (trout spawning beds) as the browns are preparing for their spawn! As always, have fun, and respect this incredible tailwater fishery! The Taylor River at Almont has been descending and currently around 160 CFS. The canyon has been fishing well throughout. We are seeing some Caddis, BWO and Midge in the afternoons. Missing Link Caddis, Royal Stimulators, Outrigger Caddis, small Chubby Chernobyl 14 - 16 have been our favorite dries, but any of your favorite Caddis patterns in the 16 – 20 size range should find success. Again, with the major hatches behind us for the season, fishing sub-surface with smaller beaded nymphs (sz 14-20) will likely be your best bet. Tailing a second fly behind your bead head is a great way to get some smaller flies in the zone. Think Mercury RS2, D-Midge, Lil Bit, Black Copper John, and Pheasant Tails. If you don’t want to set up a nymph rig, smaller streamers have also been successful for our team – primarily in Olive and Black. Baby Swim Coach, Sculpzilla, or Thin Mint’s are sure a safe bet. The local brown trout are in their pre-spawn phase and are aggressive in their pursuit of a bigger meal, great time to be a fly fisherman! Be sure to look for the fast riffles as we have found some great fish holding in them! As always, have fun and enjoy this fantastic fishery! Salmon season is starting to wrap up going! Find a deep, slow moving pool, tie up a deep nymph rig with bright attractors and you may hook into a kokanee salmon in the Rocky Mountains!

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Water Flow Data

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