Colorado Fishing Reports ยท Gunnison Basin
Above Taylor Park Reservoir, the upper Taylor winds through a wide high valley. It is small, wild water with brook trout, cutthroat and few people.
Looking for the latest Upper Taylor River report? This page is updated by the AvidMax fly shop team with live flows, current conditions, hatches and the flies working now on the Upper Taylor River.
Current flows
Wind forecast
Upper Taylor River fishing report
Updated November 7, 2026.
The gauge at Taylor Park shows about 50 cfs and very cold. Snow is on the way, and the fishing window is closing.
On a sunny afternoon, small nymphs in the deepest bends will still find a few fish. Plan on it being done for the year by mid November.
Load your fly box
Before you head to Taylor Park, bring: Elk Hair Caddis #14-16, Parachute Adams #14-18, Royal Wulff #14, Pheasant Tail Nymph #16-18, Zebra Midge #18-20, RS2 Emerger #18-22, JuJu Baetis #18-22, Black Beauty #20-24, Egg #14-16, Squirmy Wormie #12-14, Scud Bomb #14-16.
Flies working right now
The flies above that we have in stock right now.
Upper Taylor River details
| Access | Forest roads above Taylor Park Reservoir, with lots of national forest land. |
|---|---|
| Elevation | About 9,400 ft and up |
| Drive from AvidMax | About 159 miles, roughly 4 hours 5 minutes from our Centennial shop |
| Best season | Summer |
| Fish | Brook trout, cutthroat, browns and a few rainbows |
| Regulations | Check Colorado Parks and Wildlife for the current rules. A Colorado fishing license is required. |
| Leaders and tippet | 7.5 to 9 ft leaders, 5X tippet |
| Camping | Lakeview, Lottis Creek and other Taylor Park campgrounds (seasonal) |
| Kids | Yes in summer. Small, slow meadow water. |
| Good to know | Cottonwood Pass closes for winter. Expect snow from November. |
Fishing by season
Winter
Snowed in.
Spring
Late runoff into June.
Summer
Prime time for dries.
Fall
Short window before snow.
How to get there
In summer, take Cottonwood Pass west from Buena Vista. Otherwise, go through Gunnison and up Taylor Canyon past the dam.