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Cheesman in October is like fishing through a whisper — every cast matters and the trout hear EVERYTHING. You’ll earn every strike here this month, but when one smacks your emerger in a quiet seam? That’s the kind of day you remember.
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Conditions at a Glance
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- Flow: ~120 CFS below Cheesman Dam ⬇
- Water Temp: ~50 °F (holding steady)
- Air Temp: 35–68 °F
- Clarity: Very clear
- Pressure: High (trailheads see traffic, canyon narrows)
- Best Times: 10 AM to 3 PM — when BWOs hatch and trout move
- Dry Fly Score: ⭐⭐☆
- Nymph Score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Streamer Score: ⭐⭐
Flows are low and forgiving, but clarity is brutal — even a tiny drag or flash kills your chances. BWOs dominate the hatch window, and midges fill the gaps. Fish smart, move quietly, and let your flies do the whispering.
Hatch Chart – October
| Hatch | Size | When to Fish | How to Fish | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BWOs | #20–22 | 10 AM–3 PM | Sparkle Dun, Barr’s Emerger, soft-hackle swings | The marquee hatch — trout key hard to it on cloudy or shaded days |
| Midges | #22–26 | All day | Zebra Midge, Top Secret Midge, WD-40 under indicator | Go-to when nothing else is happening |
| Tricos | #22–24 | 8–10 AM (warmer mornings) | CDC Spinner, Trico Comparadun | Fading, but still shows up on warm, calm starts |
📥 Download the Full South Platte Hatch Chart PDF
Top 3 Flies for the Month
- Dry Fly: Hi-Vis BWO Parachute #20–22 or CDC Trico Spinner #22–24
- Nymph: RS2 #22, Barr’s BWO Emerger #20–22, Black Beauty / Zebra Midge #24
- Streamer: Mini Leech #10, Thin Mint Bugger #12
Tips Fly Fishing Cheesman Canyon
- Approach slow and quiet — shadows, gear noise, splash… they all kill it.
- Use long leaders, fine tippets (6–7X), and subtle indicators or emerger rigs.
- Favor mid-column presentations during BWOs — emerger or soft-hackle often wins.
- Midge rigs shine when the hatch is off.
- On cloudy or dusk light, swing small leeches or soft hackles near structure.
- Walk past the obvious holes — the less pressured water often hides better fish.
Access Points
| Access Point | Description | Why Fish Here | Parking | Wading | Trail |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gill Trailhead | Main access | Near the canyon’s heart — high traffic | Limited | Moderate | Strenuous |
| Upper Canyon | Above dam area | More solitude, hidden runs | Moderate | Easy | Steep hike |
| Lower Canyon | Toward Deckers confluence | More forgiving water & structure | Good | Moderate | Moderate |
Local Regulations & Landowner Notes
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Artificial flies and lures only.
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Catch-and-release encouraged, especially on larger browns.
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Stay on trails and respect private property near access points.
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Weekends see heavy use — consider midweek or early starts.
FAQ on this Spot
When is lunch-hour fishing best?
Aim for 10 AM to 3 PM — that’s your BWO window.
Drys worth throwing?
Yes — but only to rising trout during strong hatch moments.
What’s my go-to nymph rig?
RS2 + Emerger or small midge dropper, subtle split shot, long leader.
Do streamers ever work?
Occasionally — near structure or in low light.
Best trailhead for solitude?
Upper Canyon or farther down; Gill gets busy.
What tippet sizes are safe bets?
6–7X for dries & nymphs; 5X for small streamers.
How spooky are trout now?
Extremely — even shadows and bright gear kill chances.
Era of fish size?
Expect 14–18″ browns, with occasional bruisers pushing the seam lines.
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