Cheesman Canyon Is Low, Clear, and Brutal Right Now Here’s How to Still Catch Fish

Updated: November 17, 2025

Cheesman Canyon is in its late-fall prime, but only if you bring your A-game. With flows holding at 132 CFS and the water running glass-clear, trout are sitting deep, tight to structure, and inspecting every drift like it owes taxes. The cold mornings shut things down early, but as sunlight reaches the canyon walls, the river wakes up and fish begin feeding steadily on midges and small baetis. This is the season where perfect angles, perfect mends, and real patience get rewarded.

Afternoons are the window you plan for. Once temps slide into the 40s and the canyon gets some warmth, the midges lift, BWOs trickle, and trout shift into a more predictable rhythm. You will see fish, but you will not fool many unless your presentation is clean. This is classic Cheesman: slower, deeper water, thin tippet, tiny flies, and earned satisfaction.

Listen to the Audio Overview

Conditions Summary

Flow Rate: 132 CFS
Water Temperature: low to mid 40s in the afternoon
Air Temperature: 20s to upper 40s
Clarity: very clear
Crowds: moderate near trailhead, lighter further in
Best Times: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Fly Fishing Type Scores
Dry Fly: ⭐
Nymphing: ⭐⭐⭐
Streamer: ⭐⭐

Seasonal Notes

• Clear water forces micro presentations
• Small midge clusters in sun pockets
• BWOs on calm, cloudy afternoons
• Canyon shadows slow mornings
• Fish holding in deep green lanes and along boulder seams

Five Day Weather Forecast

Cheesman Canyon Corridor

Day 1: High 50, low 28, sunny
Day 2: High 55, low 32, partly cloudy
Day 3: High 53, low 30, cloudy
Day 4: High 45, low 22, colder
Day 5: High 42, low 18, cold with possible flurries

Cheesman Canyon Hatch Chart

Current Month: November

Primary Hatch: Midges

• Stages: larva, pupa, emergers
• Colors: black, brown, olive
• Sizes: 20 to 24

Secondary Hatch: Blue Wing Olives

• Stages: nymphs, emergers
• Sizes: 18 to 22

Tertiary Activity

• Eggs drifting from late brown redds
• Small leeches in deep runs

Pro Guide Rig

(One rig a Cheesman guide would actually use)

Leader: 10 ft 5x fluoro
Tippet: 5x to lead fly, 6x to dropper
Weight: very small shot placed 8 inches above lead fly

Lead Fly: size 16 apricot egg or red worm
Dropper Fly: size 22 Top Secret Midge or size 22 Mercury Midge

How to fish it: High stick through boulder seams, drift short, reset often. Fish are deep and inspecting everything. Keep flies low and slow.

Top 10 Flies

1. Top Secret Midge 20 to 24
2. Mercury Midge 20 to 22
3. Zebra Midge 20 to 22
4. RS2 gray or olive 20 to 22
5. Juju Baetis 18 to 20
6. Foam Wing Emerger 20 to 22
7. WD40 20 to 22
8. Egg pattern apricot 14 to 16
9. Red San Juan Worm 14 to 16
10. Micro Leech olive 10 to 12

Tips Fly Fishing Cheesman Canyon

Seasonal Tip
Treat this as winter tailwater mode. Slow, deep, technical, patient.

Dry Fly Tips

• Only possible on calm, warm afternoons
• Single small midges or BWOs on long leaders

Nymphing Tips

• Precise depth control matters
• Place weight lightly for slow drift contact
• Move often and change angles

Streamer Tips

• Small, sparse leeches only
• Slow retrieves along deep edges

Access Points

1. Gill Trailhead

Why Fish Here: Immediate canyon access
Crowds: Moderate
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Notes: Excellent starter water for the day

2. Mid Canyon

Why Fish Here: Best pockets, deeper lanes, fewer anglers
Crowds: Light to moderate
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Notes: Your best chance at bigger fish

3. Near the Dam

Why Fish Here: Deep, stable winter water
Crowds: Moderate
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Notes: Best for micro nymphing

Local Regulations and Notes

• Artificial flies only
• Avoid redds at all times
• Respect narrow access trail and yield
• Pack out everything

FAQ

Q: Is Cheesman fishing well right now
A: Yes but only for technical anglers. Clear water means small flies and perfect presentations.

Q: What’s the best time of day
A: Midday after canyon warms up.

Q: Do I really need 6x
A: Yes for midges. Fish will refuse heavier diameters.

Q: Are streamers worth it
A: Yes in deeper wintering pockets but keep them very small.

Q: How far should I hike
A: Half mile to one mile to reach less pressured water.

Q: What flows fish best
A: 100 to 180 CFS is excellent for Cheesman.

Stop Here After The River

The Hangout at Deckers – Deckers, CO
A real, family run spot sitting right across from the Platte. This is where you go when you want actual food after a cold day in canyon water. They grind the meat for their burgers, cut the fries in house, and keep the menu simple but dialed for hungry anglers. Order a Hangout burger with hand cut fries and one of their local draft beers or a house cocktail, then sit on the patio and watch the river slide by while you debrief the day.

Website: https://www.deckershangout.com