Tailwaters - Best of the West

Over the last few decades, dams on free-flowing rivers have produced controversy after controversy between government agencies, environmentalists and even some fishermen. Battles concerning the harmful results, benefits and economic impacts of these dams have been waged in the media and in the courts. Regardless of the outcome, however, one thing is for sure: many of the tailwaters below the dams that have wriggled through the red-tape wars usually provide the ingredients for year-round, trophy fisheries known as tailwaters.

Most of the top tailwaters in the Rocky Mountain states exist on rivers at lower elevations. Before the construction of the concrete plugs, they ran warm and dirty and contained few fish. Frequently, the species consisted of suckers and carp, or perhaps a native, non-sporting fish such as the Colorado River's squawfish or humpback chub. The construction of dams, though, have imparted notable changes.

Acting like a catch basin of sorts, the reservoir above a dam traps the majority of silt. The controlled outflow from the dam comes from the cool depths of the reservoir. The by-product is a cold and clear, moderately flowing tailwater, filled with prime habitat and a good food supply. The trout grow fast, fat and sassy throughout much of the year, and the odds for hooking a big fish are excellent.