Early July 2013 – Taylor River flows peaked in Gunnison County on or near the 10th of June this year and fly fishing conditions are now perfect with all rivers dropping fast and clear. It looks to be another low water year for Western Colorado but at the Wilder we are fortunate to have guaranteed flows of between 250 and 350 cfs on our 2 miles of the Taylor River through early October. This is a great level to fish the Taylor as it is very wadeable and in these conditions the fish show a particular fondness for small dry flies.
Currently on the Taylor River at the Wilder, flows are at 375 and should be slowly dropping to the 300 level over the next couple of weeks. Water temperatures are in the mid forties and gradually warming. The water is clear and bugs are starting to hatch.
This week we have seen Caddis (size 16-22), Large Yellow Stone(size 6), Mid size Orange bodied Stone (size 12), Yellow Sallee(size 18), Blue Winged Olive(size 20) and Pale Morning Duns(size 16-18) hatching sporadically throughout the day. Surprisingly, the fish have shown a preference for the BWO”s mid-day. A size 20 Parachute Adams fished to rising fish is almost a sure bet. The evenings are time for a skated Caddis which can be effective very late in the day and on into dark as large hatches occur.
Each day the fish are becoming more surface oriented and we are entering the best dry fly period of the year. The Green Drake nymphs are large and active and sometime in early July we should see the big Drakes hatching and fish going crazy for large dries.
Rarick Creek has been fishing phenomenally well. The hay is growing quickly in the meadow and so are the Hoppers and the Trout who are eating various Terrestrial patterns and small Mayfly dries. There have been some great mid-morning hatches of Blue Winged Olives and a good cast with a small dry and 5x Tippet can produce big results. Water temperatures have been in the low 50’s which is great for the fish.
The Wilder on the Taylor River ponds are on fire right now! During sunny bright days, fish can be selective and a challenge to catch but we are finding excellent Callibaetis Mayfly hatches and the large cruising Trout can be taken on the right dry. Larger Hoppers and Ants are also producing results but when the fish get tough, it’s hard to beat a size 14 Parachute Adams with a size 18 Bead head Pheasant tail dropper. If you hook a big one, hang on because some of these Rainbows jump like a Tarpon.
Wilder on the Taylor River offers a unique opportunity to own private fly-fishing property along with a beautiful riverfront home. Click the links to learn more.
