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South Platte River – Cheesman Canyon Fly Fishing Report (September 11, 2025)
Flows are holding steady around 190 CFS, clarity is textbook gin-clear, and trout are locked in on small bugs and stealthy presentations. Tricos and midges dominate mornings, BWOs spark up on cloudy afternoons, and terrestrials are still producing when drifted along grassy seams. Crowds remain heavy on weekends, but if you put in the hike, Cheesman rewards with some of Colorado’s most technical and rewarding trout.
At-a-Glance Conditions
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Rating: Tough but fair; fish are eating if you get it right
Flow (CFS): ~190
Water Temp: 58–61°F
Air Temp: 70s–80s°F afternoons
Clarity: Crystal clear
Best Times: 6:30–11 AM (hatches), late afternoon on cloudy days
Fishing Pressure: High on weekends, lighter midweek
Top Flies: RS2 #22 | Juju Baetis #20 | Amy’s Ant #14
🎧 Listen to the Podcast
Small bugs, long leaders, and careful drifts. We cover what’s hatching, which flies are fooling Cheesman’s educated trout, and how to approach this legendary canyon fishery in September.
Weather Snapshot
Source: OpenWeather / NOAA
Hatch Chart
| Month | Midges | BWOs | PMDs | Tricos | Caddis | Terrestrials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| July | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ |
| Aug | ⭐⭐ | ⭐ | ⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Sept | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | — | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ |
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Flies for Cheesman Canyon
- Dry Fly Setup: CDC Biot Trico Spinner #22, 12–14’ 6X leader.
- Nymph Setup: RS2 Emerger #22 below a Juju Baetis #20, 18” apart, 6X fluoro.
- Streamer Setup: Baby Gonga (olive) #10, swung carefully in deeper pools.
- Pro Rig (Guide’s Pick): Hopper-dropper with Amy’s Ant #14 + Sparkle Wing RS2 #22 dropper.
Access Points
| Spot | Why Fish Here | Parking | Wading | Crowds | Overall | Map Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cheesman Trailhead | Most direct access, tough canyon hike | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | ⭐⭐☆ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | [Map] |
| Emerald Pools | Clear runs, classic sight-fishing | ⭐⭐⭐☆ | ⭐⭐⭐☆ | ⭐⭐⭐☆ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | [Map] |
| Upper Canyon | Quieter, technical pocket water | ⭐⭐⭐☆ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | ⭐⭐☆☆☆ | ⭐⭐⭐☆ | [Map] |
Extended FAQ – Cheesman Canyon
Q: When’s the best time to fish Cheesman in September?
A: Early mornings for Tricos and midges; cloudy afternoons bring BWOs.
Q: What flies are working best right now?
A: RS2s, Juju Baetis, Trico spinners, and terrestrials like Amy’s Ant.
Q: Where can I park?
A: Cheesman Trailhead lot—be prepared for a steep hike in.
Q: Is Cheesman crowded on weekends?
A: Yes. Go midweek or push further up the canyon for space.
Q: Any special regs?
A: Catch-and-release encouraged, barbless hooks strongly recommended.
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