.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)
South Platte River – Cheesman Canyon Fly Fishing Report (Aug 22, 2025)
Cheesman Canyon is pure late-summer chess. Flows have dropped hard into the low 120s CFS, leaving water crystal-clear and ultra-technical. Every trout in the canyon is visible, and every mistake you make is too. If you want to test your fly game, this is the arena.
Expect Trico spinner falls at dawn, PMDs mid-morning, and light caddis in the evening. Midges are always in play, but you’ll need 6X-7x fluoro, long leaders (12-14ft), and dead-drift perfection to fool canyon fish. Crowds are steady, especially on weekends, so plan an early start. Hike to the pools or combat fish with the rest of the crowd.
Listen to the Podcast!
Conditions Summary
%20(3).png?width=800&height=175&name=Guide%20Rating%20(800%20x%20175%20px)%20(3).png)
- Flow Rate: ~120 CFS (low and clear)
- Water Temp: ~57°F mid-morning
- Air Temp: 62–82°F
- Clarity: Crystal-clear, technical conditions
- Best Times: 6:30–11:00 AM for hatches; quit if the water temperature exceeds 62 degrees.
- Fishing Pressure: Heavy, especially near Gill Trail access. We encourage a hike for the best pocket water.
Cheesman Canyon Hatch Chart
| Month | Midges | BWOs | PMDs | Tricos | Caddis | Ants/Beetles | Hoppers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June | ✅✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| July | ✅✅ | ✅ | ✅✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| August | ✅✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅✅ | ✅ | ✅✅ | ✅ |
| Sept | ✅✅ | ✅✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Flies to Try – Cheesman Canyon
Nymphs
- RS2 (gray/olive) – 20–24
- Juju Baetis – 20–22
- Barr’s PMD Emerger – 18–20
- Zebra Midge – 20–24
- Pheasant Tail (unbeaded) – 20–22
Dries
- CDC Biot Trico Spinner – 22–24
- Parachute Adams – 20–22
- Sparkle Dun PMD – 18–20
- Amy’s Ant – 14
- Black Beetle – 16
Streamers
- Mini Leech (olive/black)
- Slump Buster – 8–10
- Baby Gonga (brown)
Tips for Fishing Cheesman Right Now
- Morning: Target riffle edges and tailouts with Trico spinners.
- Midday: Small PMD emergers and midge rigs are the best bet.
- Afternoon: Prospect shady banks with ants and beetles.
- Rigging: Long leaders (12–15 ft), 6X fluoro, micro-weight for precise drifts.
Access Points
| Spot | Why Fish Here | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Gill Trailhead | Easy access, steady runs, heavy pressure | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Mid-Canyon Pools | Technical sight-fishing, good dry-dropper water | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Upper Canyon | Longer hike, lighter pressure, bigger fish | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
FAQs – Cheesman Canyon
Q: What’s the best hatch right now?
A: Tricos early, PMDs mid-morning, and caddis in the evening.
Q: How tough is it to fish Cheesman?
A: Very. It’s one of Colorado’s most technical tailwaters — perfect drifts are mandatory.
Q: Do hoppers work here?
A: Occasionally, but smaller terrestrials (ants, beetles) are more consistent.
Q: Best rod setup?
A: 9’ 4–5 weight with a long leader. Euro rigs work well in fast water.
Q: How bad are the crowds?
A: Heavy near Gill Trail; lighter if you hike deeper into the canyon.
Q: Is streamer fishing worth it?
A: Limited, but small leeches and buggers can produce in shadows.
%20(12).png?width=800&height=450&name=Animas%20River%20(1600%20x%20900%20px)%20(12).png)
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.
