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About Cheesman Canyon
Jim Cannon of the Blue Quill Angler states “…anytime is the right time to fish Cheesman Canyon, it can be fished all year”. The boulder-filled Cheesman Canyon section of the South Platte River is considered by many to be one of the most pristine fisheries in the world.
In 1976, it became the first section of river in Colorado to be protected with catch and release regulations. The Canyon is an unforgettable fly fishing experience. A roughly 1.5 mile hike from the parking lot to the river’s edge presents the angler with three miles of beautiful canyon with Bald Eagles a flight, a river filled with enormous boulders and superb river banks to fish. It is a perfect day trip alone, with family or fishing buddies.
This three-mile section is fished most successfully with nymphs and anglers can expect to catch large rainbows and good-sized browns within the close company of other fisherman. The Canyon is best fished on overcast days with good presentation only 2 or 3” away from the fish’s nose. It has been said “if you can catch fish in The Canyon, you can catch them anywhere”.
The best reviews from our clients come in the spring when blue-winged olives start to show themselves on a regular basis (late March through late May). Flows are perfect that time of year from 100-300 cfs.
Pat Dorsey’s Fishing Report: Cheesman Canyon – South Platte
/in Cheesman Canyon, Fishing Reports /by 8twhb6fNxqt7w9MCheesman Canyon is one of the best tailwaters in the country. There’s a common belief among “canyon regulars” that if you can catch fish on the South Platte River, you can fool fish anywhere in the world. There’s no substitution for good technique in Cheesman Canyon.
Current Conditions
Clarity: Excellent
Water Temperature: Low 40’s
Hatches: Midges, sporadic blue-winged olives, and caddis
14 Day Forecast: Look for good hatches of midges and blue-winged olives.
Tips and Other Information: Flows remain at 50 cfs in a effort to fill Cheesman Reservoir. Cheesman Reservoir is still 5,000 acre feet from spilling, so look for low flows for a while. As you might imagine, fishing is quite challenging right now in Cheesman. Go-to bugs have been a #22 Mercury Midges, #24 Black Beauties, #24 Top Secrets Midges, and #24-26 chocolate Foam Wing Emergers in the mornings and Baetis nymphs in the afternoon. Blue-winged olives are hatching every afternoon, adding some excitement for the dry fly angler. Overcast days and inclement weather are producing the best hatches. Caddis are hatching now too, so come prepared to imitate both pupae and adults.
Effective Patterns: #22-24 Black Beauty, #22 Minute Midge, #18-20 Buckskin, #20-24 Chocolate Foam Wing Emerger, #20-22 Jujubaetis, #22 Stalcup’s Baetis, #20-22 Mercury Midge, #20-26 Top Secret Midge, #20-22 Mercury Flashback RS 2, #20-22 Sparkle Wing RS 2, #10 Pine Squirrel Leech, #10 Mayers Mini Leech, #10 Shafer’s Cranefly, #16-18 Puterbaugh Caddis and #16-18 Elk Hair Caddis.#20 Matt;s Midge, #20 Mathew’s Sparkle Dun, and #24 Parachute Adams.