Colorado Fishing Network: Huge Taylor Trout

Huge Taylor Trout

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The Taylor tailwater - home to those huge Rainbows feasting on mysis shrimp. Every day of the year anglers attempt to land one of these large fish hanging out in the short section of public access below the dam.

Todd Andersen, owner and guide for the Morrison Angler, guides on the Blue River. When he goes flyfishing on the Taylor it's for fun. In his own words about fishing the Taylor tailwater, "That's my own big fish fix".

Todd Andersen with a 15-pound, 21-inch girth Rainbow in April 2001

Fishing for these large pigs takes patience, luck, and skill. The fish prefer very small flies patterned after their diet of mysis shrimp and other tiny nymphs. If you hook into one of these trout, landing it will take awhile.

Another shot of Todd with the large Rainbow

On April 24, 2000, Tom Gower landed what is a probable new record for a Colorado Rainbow. He caught this 23-pound Rainbow with a #22 hare's ear using a 5x tippet and a 6 wt. rod. This trout is 32 inches long and has a 23 inch girth. The Rainbow took the fly under the bridge.

Tom Gower with the possible CO record Rainbow

Rules for the Taylor tailwater:

Public access is prohibited from the top of Taylor Dam to 325 yards downstream. From 325 yards downstream to the upper boundary of Cockrell private property (about 0.4 miles): artificial flies or lures only and all fish must be returned to the water immediately.

Resources:

Gunnison RIver Click here to buy a NEW Digital Fishing Map for the Gunnison from the headwaters to Blue Mesa Reservoir. Includes the East and Taylor Rivers

Click here to buy topo maps for this area. You need maps 131, 132 for the Taylor River from above Taylor Res. to Gunnison.

Buy an ebook on CD: Fifty Colorado Tailwaters: A Fly Fisher's Guide Click here for info or to purchase. Includes the Taylor tailwater

Click here to buy an Angling Guide for the Gunnison/Crested Butte Area by Michael Shook

More pix of big Taylor trout

Info on the Taylor River and the area

All photos are copyrighted by Todd Andersen, 2000, 2001. No use or copying of the photographs without permission of Mr. Andersen