.png?width=300&height=100&name=Copy%20of%20Rise%20Beyond%20Logo%2012.31.24%20(300%20x%20100%20px).png "Rise Beyond Fly Fishing Co. logo featuring a cowboy riding a large trout, holding a fishing rod in one hand and a camera in the other, with stylized text in a rugged, outdoor-themed font")
.png)
Cheesman Canyon Fly Fishing Report – August 6, 2025
Canyon Mode: Stealth or Bust
Cheesman Canyon doesn’t give up fish in August—you earn every eat. Flows are holding around 210 CFS, the water is gin-clear, and the trout are in graduate school mode. This is a long-leader, small-fly, stealth approach fishery right now.
Your best window is early morning through 11 AM, with Tricos in full swing, PMDs still around, and terrestrials heating up. Midday, the Canyon becomes a chess match: subtle emergers, 6X fluoro, and perfect drifts are the only way you’re getting smiles.
Target tailouts, mid-depth riffles, and the undercut slots behind large boulders. If you want a technical challenge with the payoff of sight-hooking a truly wild South Platte rainbow, this is your arena.
🎧 Listen to the Podcast
August in Cheesman Canyon means low flows, spooky fish, and hatch windows that reward perfection. We break down where to fish, how to fish it, and the flies that will keep you in the game.
Conditions Summary
%20(3).png?width=800&height=175&name=Guide%20Rating%20(800%20x%20175%20px)%20(3).png)
- Flow Rate: ~210 CFS — stable and clear
- Water Temp: 56–59°F mid-morning
- Air Temp: 62–82°F
- Clarity: Crystal clear
- Best Times: 6:30 AM – 11:00 AM
- Fishing Pressure: Moderate to heavy
- Wind: Light mornings, variable afternoon gusts
Cheesman Canyon Hatch Chart
| Month | PMDs | Tricos | Caddis | Midges | Ants/Beetles | Hoppers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June | ✅✅ | ✅ | ✅✅ | ✅✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| July | ✅✅✅ | ✅✅✅ | ✅✅ | ✅✅ | ✅✅ | ✅✅ |
| August | ✅✅ | ✅✅✅ | ✅ | ✅✅ | ✅✅✅ | ✅✅✅ |
Flies to Try – Cheesman Canyon (August)
Nymphs
TDJ Sunken Trico 20–22 | Sparkle Wing RS2 (gray) 20–24 | Darth Baetis 20–22 | Barr’s Emerger PMD 18–20 | Pheasant Tail 18–20 | Frenchie 18 | UV Midge (black) 20–22
Pro Tip: Go 6X or 7X fluoro, micro split shot, and sight-fish whenever possible.
Dries
CDC Biot Trico Spinner 22 | Matthews Sparkle Dun (BWO) 18–20 | Amy’s Ant 14 | Black Beetle 16 | Parachute Hopper 12–14 | Griffith’s Gnat 20–24
Pro Tip: Terrestrials along grassy banks and undercut ledges are your afternoon sleeper play.
Streamers
Baby Gonga (olive, natural) | Mini Dungeon (natural) | Thin Mint 10 | Micro Slump Buster (olive)
Streamer Note: Keep it subtle and short-stripped in shady water.
Tips for Fishing Cheesman Canyon
- Seasonal Tip: Early morning Trico spinners bring fish up—don’t miss this 90-minute window.
- Dry Fly: 12–14 ft leaders, 6X fluoro, and side casts to avoid lining fish.
- Nymphing: Small, sparse patterns under a light rig—ditch the bobber for a tight-line approach.
- Streamer Fishing: Low percentage, but can move a big fish late in the day.
Access Points
| Spot | Description | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Gill Trailhead | Main access, expect company | ⭐️⭐️⭐️ |
| Mid-Canyon Pools | Technical sight-fishing in clear water | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ |
| Upper Canyon | Less pressure, longer hike | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ |
Local Regulations
- Catch-and-release only
- Barbless hooks required
- Wading only—no boats
FAQs – Cheesman Canyon Fly Fishing
Q: What’s the best rod setup?
A: 9’ 4–5 weight with a long leader and light tippet.
Q: Is wet wading possible in August?
A: Yes, but mornings are brisk.
Q: Top fly this week?
A: CDC Trico Spinner at sunrise, Sparkle Wing RS2 mid-morning.
Q: Are hoppers working here?
A: Yes, but selectively—midday near grassy banks.
Q: How crowded is it?
A: Moderate to heavy—weekdays before 9 AM are best.
Q: Is streamer fishing worth it?
A: Low numbers, high reward—keep patterns small.
RIVER WHISPER | SPOT FINDER | NEW!
Where to fish today! Tired of fly shops feeding you outdated, half-baked reports just to push gear? Us too. That’s why River Whisper exists—to cut through the noise and give you real, up-to-date, no-BS fly fishing reports for Colorado.
