Best month to fish the Taylor River

Month-by-month fishing quality

Why these months?

Two things decide your odds on the Taylor River: flow and season. You need the river in its fishable-flow band — so a freestone in spring runoff is out no matter how good the hatch would be, while a dam-fed tailwater holds shape year-round. On top of that, the hatches and water temperatures line up best in July and August and September and June, which is why those months edge out the rest. The Taylor River's season runs year-round taylor park reservoir tailwater; best on the stable summer irrigation release june-september.

The Taylor River below Taylor Park Reservoir is one of Colorado's premier tailwaters, famous for the "Hog Trough" — a few hundred yards of catch-and-release water immediately below the dam holding some of the biggest browns and rainbows in the state, many over 20 inches. Cold, clear, dam-buffered flow keeps it fishing well through the heat of summer when nearby freestones are too warm, though the fish here have seen every fly in the box — small tippet and small nymphs are the rule.

Where to fish the Taylor River

The Hog Trough itself, the stretch immediately below the dam, is flies-only catch-and-release and the most technical, most crowded water on the river — expect company most days spring through fall. Downstream toward Almont opens up to bait/lure water with more room and still-strong trout numbers. Check the gage before a trip: reservoir releases can shift with irrigation demand.

Guided trips & lodges to book