Cheesman Canyon Fly Fishing Report: Late October Tips and Tactics

Cheesman Canyon Fly Fishing Report – Late-October

If Deckers is a test, Cheesman’s the final exam.
The fish are smarter, the wind sharper, and your tippet feels thinner than your nerves. Every drift needs to be perfect — but when you get it right, it’s magic.

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Conditions Summary

Flows steady near 80 CFS, clarity perfectly clear, and water temps holding 42–46 °F. Morning air dips below freezing, warming into the 50s by early afternoon. Browns are finishing their spawn, and rainbows are taking advantage of the buffet that follows.

Flow: 80 CFS → steady
Water Temp: 42–46 °F
Air Temp: 25–55 °F
Clarity: Gin clear
Pressure: Moderate weekends, light weekdays
Best Times: 10 AM – 3 PM
Dry Fly Score: ⭐⭐
Nymph Score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Streamer Score: ⭐⭐

Conditions Note:
Cold mornings, long leaders, and slow drifts are the name of the game. Trout are glued to deeper seams; stealth is your biggest asset.

Hatch Chart

• Midges #22–26 | All day | Double midge rigs in deeper runs
• Blue-Winged Olives #20–22 | 10 AM–2 PM | Emergers under film on cloudy afternoons
• Egg Patterns #14–16 | All day | Drift behind redds, avoid active beds

Top Flies for Late October / Early November

Dry Flies

• Parachute BWO #20 – best midday over slow tailouts
• Griffith’s Gnat #24 – midge clusters in slicks
• Matt’s Midge #24 – early-morning flatwater option

Nymphs

• Chocolate Foam Wing Emerger #22 – top BWO imitator for cloudy days
• Black Beauty #24 – the Cheesman classic
• Egg Pattern #16 (Orange Peach) – behind riffles midday

Streamer

• Micro Leech #12 (Brown or Black) – work slow through deeper slots after 2 PM

Tips for Fishing Cheesman

• Enter early; canyon fills fast after 9 AM.
• 11–12 ft leaders and 6X–7X tippet minimum.
• Target deep troughs and edges of current lines.
• Small indicators and micro split shot make a difference.
• Sight-fish to feeders; ignore spawners on gravel.

Access Points

Gill Trail Lot: steep hike in, best mid-canyon access for experienced anglers
Top of Canyon: tough hike, lighter pressure, technical sight-fishing
Cheesman Reservoir Outlet: consistent flows, coldest water, holdover bows
Lower Canyon: mixed structure, good for nymph/streamer combo

Local Regulations & Notes

• Artificial flies and lures only.
• Catch-and-release strongly encouraged.
• Avoid redds - spawning browns present in pockets downstream.

FAQ on Cheesman Canyon

Q: When’s the best time to fish Cheesman in October?
A: 10 AM to 3 PM when water temps creep above 48 °F and BWOs start moving.

Q: Do streamers work here?
A: Yes, but small and subtle. Think mini leeches and short strips.

Q: Is it worth the hike midweek?
A: Absolutely - you’ll find less pressure and more cooperative fish.

Q: What’s the biggest mistake anglers make here?
A: Too much weight and too many casts. Stealth beats spam every time.

Q: Are the browns spawning?
A: Yes, in select gravel pockets. Avoid those redds and fish below them.

Q: Can you fish dries successfully here?
A: Yes, but timing is everything - BWO hatches mid-day under clouds give the best shot.

Q: What’s a good two-fly rig setup?
A: Barr’s BWO Emerger followed by a Zebra Midge on 6X tippet.

Q: What gear weight works best?
A: 9’ 5-weight rod with a floating line - keep it simple and accurate.

Q: Are the browns done spawning?
A: Mostly — protect the beds and target deep recovering fish.

Q: What’s the best rig right now?
A: Chocolate Foam Wing Emerger to Black Beauty with micro split shot.

Q: Any dry fly opportunities?
A: Light mid-day BWOs under clouds.

Q: Streamer bite?
A: Short, slow strips through deep pockets.

Q: What’s the biggest mistake anglers make?
A: Standing too close — they see you first here.