The first of these two tailwaters is located below Stagecoach Reservoir. This catch-and-release watershed, the only one that offers public access, is barely more than a half-mile, but it's filled with riffles, runs and boulder pools to drift a fly through. Although access is skinny, the fat and sassy trout that live there are not.

According to the latest CDOW surveys, there are some 2,000 trout per mile, with a weight of about 600 pounds per acre. That translates to about a 2-pound average. Those are solid numbers and they should only get better in the future, according to Billy Atkinson, CDOW aquatic biologist.

Atkinson said that after years of low water, trout populations aren't where we really want them to be. However, over the past few years, numbers have steadily increased.

"I expect that to continue in the future, especially since we've been getting good snowpack for several winters," said the biologist.

It's not only the size and numbers that make it an excellent fishery, but it's also the vigorous fight the river's spirited rainbows put up when hooked. These are wild trout, so an 18-incher is going to strip some drag. Pound for pound, wild trout fight harder than their cousins from the hatchery.

The second tailwater along the Yampa is below Lake Catamount. It's strictly private, so you pay for access here. If you're willing to part with a few greenbacks at a local fly shop, you'll probably be rewarded with drag-ripping runs. Only a few anglers visit these waters, and 20-inch trout seem to be in endless supply. Angling is often nothing short of trout-fishing nirvana.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION
Trout on public water do get picky. Be sure and stop at the local fly shops to pick up a few can't-miss patterns and updated information.

For the Blue River, check out Blue River Anglers at 1-888-453-9171 or visit BlueRiverAnglers.com.

Fishing the Taylor? The guys at Dragon Fly Anglers, 1-800-491-3079 or DragonflyAnglers.com, will help you out. For the Yampa, Bucking Rainbow Outfitters, 1-888-810-8747 or BuckingRainbow.com, will know the current fishing reports and trends.