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Cheesman Canyon is a test of patience and precision. The flows are steady, the water is glass clear, and the fish are smart enough to make you question your life choices. Every cast has to count.
Morning air carries a chill through the canyon, but once the light hits the granite walls, it feels like late fall perfection. Crowds thin the farther you hike in, and those willing to make the trek will find trout stacked in deep slots and soft edges. This week is all about stealth, small flies, and clean drifts.
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Conditions Summary
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- Flow Rate: 275 cfs and steady
- Water Temperature: 44–48 °F consistent tailwater temps
- Air Temperature: 30s °F in the morning 50s–60s °F by mid afternoon
- Clarity: Extremely clear
- Crowds: Moderate near trailhead light deeper in canyon
- Best Times to Fish: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Fly Fishing Type Scores:
- Dry Fly: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
- Nymphing: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Streamer: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
5 Day Weather Forecast
Stable weather through the week with cool mornings and bright calm afternoons. Expect crisp air early followed by perfect mid day warmth.
Current Hatch Chart for November
| Hatch Type | Bugs and Sizes | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Primary | Midges #20–24 | Consistent all day in slow seams and tailouts |
| Secondary | Blue Winged Olives #18–22 | Mid day on calm warm afternoons |
| Tertiary | Terrestrials #10–14 ants beetles | Rare but possible on sunny canyon walls |
Pro Rig of the Week
Guide setup: Run a 10 foot 5x leader with a #20 Mercury Midge as your lead fly and a #22 Top Secret Midge 18 inches below on 6x tippet. Add a single tiny split shot about 10 inches above the lead fly and a small indicator set just over the depth of the run. Drift slowly through mid depth seams and tailouts behind structure. Cheesman trout watch everything, so small movements and soft mends make the difference.
Top Flies for the Month
Dry Flies
- Parachute Adams #20 for subtle afternoon surface eats
- Film Critic BWO #22 for selective trout feeding mid column
- Hi Vis Griffiths Gnat #22 for light midge clusters on calm water
Nymphs
- Mercury Midge #20 silver bead for bright mornings
- Top Secret Midge #22 for slow mid day drifts
- Barr Emerger BWO #20 when olives start to show
Streamers
- Mini Leech Olive or Black #12 slow strip through deeper slots
- Thin Mint Bugger #10 for shadowed runs
- Baby Gonga Rust #8 swung across structure during low light
Tips Fly Fishing on Cheesman Canyon
- Seasonal Tip: Long leaders fine tippet and soft steps matter more than fly color.
- Dry Fly: Expect short hatch windows. Keep flies small and drifts drag free.
- Nymphing: This is the primary game. Light weight tight mends and patient repetition.
- Streamer Fishing: Effective early or late in the day. Keep retrieves slow and natural.
Access Points
- Gill Trailhead easy access and popular water near entry ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
- Mid Canyon Trail Section longer hike fewer anglers and larger fish ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Dam Outlet Pool deep technical water with short feeding windows ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
Local Regulations and Landowner Notes
Flies and lures only. Catch and release strongly encouraged. Ideal flows between 250 and 400 cfs. Avoid walking through redds and stay within posted boundaries.
FAQ on This Spot
What are current flows and clarity like
Flows at 275 cfs and clarity extremely clear.
When is the best time to fish this stretch
Late morning through early afternoon.
What flies are producing right now
Mercury Midge Top Secret Midge Barr Emerger BWO.
Can I wade or should I float
Wading only throughout the canyon.
What species can I expect here
Wild browns and rainbows that average 16 to 20 inches.
Any local shops or guides nearby
Yes local outfitters permitted for Cheesman offer walk and wade trips.
Stop Here After the River
After hiking out of the canyon stop at The Cabin at Pine Junction. It feels like a mountain lodge built for tired anglers with wood beams a stone fireplace and locals swapping river stories. Order the Smoked Elk BBQ Plate and a Bear Mountain IPA and let the canyon dust settle while you warm up.
https://cabinpinejunction.com
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.
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