Taylor River

The Taylor River runs cold and clear from the base of Taylor Park Reservoir Dam through a granite canyon lined with lodgepole pine, then down to Almont where it meets the East River and forms the Gunnison. Gold was found in Taylor Park in 1859, and the mining town of Tin Cup grew six miles southeast of the reservoir in the 1880s. Mule trains once hauled ore down this same canyon to the railroad at Gunnison, staying overnight at what is now Harmel's Ranch. The dam itself was built between 1935 and 1937 and is named for U.S. Representative Edward Taylor, who helped secure the funding.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife lists the full run from Taylor Park Reservoir Dam to Almont as Gold Medal water. The constant, cold release from the dam keeps the river fishable through winter and pushes mysis shrimp downstream, which is why the tailwater holds some of the heaviest rainbow trout in the state. Brown trout dominate the middle and lower river through the canyon and down to the East River confluence.

The top of the dam and the 325 yards directly below it are closed to fishing year round. From that point downstream about 0.4 mile, to the lower boundary of Taylor River State Wildlife Area, only artificial flies and lures are legal and every trout goes back in the water. Below the wildlife area, standard statewide bag limits apply. Public bank access runs the length of Taylor Canyon Road, Gunnison County Road 742, including Lodgepole Campground 14 miles up from Almont and One Mile Campground closer to town, both maintained by the Gunnison Ranger District.

Midges hold the river together in winter, when trout still sip size 22 to 26 patterns in the slow pools even in February. The Pale Morning Dun hatch through June and July is the signature dry fly event, bringing large browns to the surface in the late morning and afternoon. Caddis take over the evenings from June into September, and Blue-Winged Olives return heavy on overcast days each fall. Live discharge for the tailwater reach is available at USGS gauge 09109000 below the dam, with a second gauge at 09110000 near Almont marking the bottom of the Gold Medal water. Check the current Colorado Fishing Brochure before you go; closures and boundaries on this river are enforced.