Where to Go South Platte River – Cheesman Canyon
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FALL HOURS 9am to 6pm Daily
Report Date: 1/2/2026
Current Conditions:
Cheesman has settled into the typical winter fishing pattern now. The flows actually came up a bit and are currently at 105 cfs. We do expect the flows to drop back down into the 60-70 cfs range again soon. We expect these flows to remain at or right around this rate through the winter. The fishing has been good in here, especially for the persistent angler. The fish have started to occupy more traditional winter lies and are congregating more in areas with deeper water. The river is technical and attention to detail is key to success. Nymphing has and will be the most productive method right now. The dry fly fishing has been pretty stellar as well in the afternoons, if you are in the right area! If dry fly fishing is your game, move around until you find pods of fish feeding on the surface. These fish want good, clean drifts! Longer leaders and lighter tippet are a good idea. We have seen some spawning fish in the river, please avoid them and their nests (redds)
Weather:
Short Term- We will continue to have some very unseasonable weather in this area. High temps are about 20-30 degrees higher than average for this time of year. Look for highs in the 60s through the weekend ind into next week. Morning lows will still get pretty cold, so be prepared for that. We will again have quite a bit of wind here over the next couple of days. We are anxiously awaiting for this sustained high pressure system to break down. In the short term, we dont see that happening. But, there may be some changes coming in the longer term forecast.
Long Term- Next week, temps will cool progressively as we roll through the first full week of January. Even with that, temps will still be pretty nice overall. It looks like we could see a small storm system come through the area on the 8th and into the 9th. Temps will get colder and struggle to get out of the 30's. Morning lows will get extremely cold during this time. Precipitation doesnt look all that impressive here, maybe an inch or two of snow. But hopefully the high country can start to chip away at our record low snowpack. Longer range forecasts are again hinting at a dry and warm period after next week. As always, we will have to wait and see. Lets all hope (and do those snow dances!) for some significant changes to come our way soon. This time of year is instrumental on building that overall snowpack for our summer water. We are currently experiencing record low snowpack across the entire state.
This is an area we offer guided fly fishing trips. We are one of two outfitters permitted to operate in Cheesman. There is not better way to learn an area like Cheesman Canyon than hiring one of our Orvis endorsed professional guides!
RECOMMENDED PATTERNS
For a custom fly assortment for this location, click here!
Our Top 6 Nymphs for Today:
- Mercury RS2, grey, sizes 20-24
- No Mercy midge, brown, sizes 20-22
- Pale Ale midge, tan, size 22
- Pheasant tails, size 20-22
- Blindside midge, purple, sizes 20-22
- Daysaver midge, brown, size 22
Our Top Dry Flies for Today:
- Mole fly, olive, size 22
- Smokejumper, baetis, size 24
- Parachute Adams, sizes 22-24
Our Top Streamer Patterns for Today:
- Wooly buggers, black, brown, sizes 8-12
- Poacher, black, olive, size 8-10
- Baby Gonga, yellow, size 6
Standard nymph rig set up for the South Platte:
Screenshot the diagram above to reference while you're out on the water!
BE SURE TO CHECK OUT OUR "WHERE TO GO" PAGE FOR DETAILED INFORMATION ON OTHER AREAS!
Cheesman Canyon is one of the most technical and rewarding tailwater fisheries in Colorado. A half-hour hike from Gill trailhead through some hilly terrain gets you to the base of the canyon where the trail splits into a high road and low road. This stretch of the river is catch and release only and is known for holding large rainbows. Almost the entire length of the river that runs through this gorgeous boulder-filled canyon is loaded with deep pocket water and fast runs that provide different challenges depending on where the fish are located. Most of the time the fish are hanging close to undercut boulders and other structure.
Before going to Cheesman, load your box with these patterns: Cheesman Emergers #22-24, Amy's Ants #10-14, hoppers #8-10, Murphy's Bubbleback Midge #20-24, Blindside Midges #20-22, Dorsey's Top Secret and Medallion Midges #22-24, Stonefly nymphs #14-18, Caddis larva #16-20, Tan and orange scuds #14-18, Sparkle Wing RS-2's #18-22, BWO Barr's Emergers #20-22, Copper Johns, Black Beauty #22-24, and Stalcups baetis #20-22.
This is an area we specialize in and are permitted to guide in, so give us a shout if you have any questions or if you're interested in working with one of our Orvis- Endorsed guides to conquer Cheesman.
My favorite stretch of the South Platte. What can I say: technical, challenging, humbling, and rewarding. It is often said that if you can catch fish in Cheesman Canyon, you can catch fish anywhere.
Jon Easdon, Guide and Director of Services
Accessibility: There is a 1.5 mile trail from the parking lot on Co 126 to the river. At the river the trail splits into a high and a low section that runs approximately 5 miles upstream from the Wigwam Club (posted) to Cheesman Dam.
Elevation: 6,600 ft
Distance: 42.5 miles from Colorado Springs / 55 minutes .
Season: Fishable all year depending on flows
Fish species: Brown, Rainbow, Cutthroat and Cutbow trout
Fishing Regulations: Catch and release, flies and lures only
Techniques & Tips: Fishing is technical and calls for 9-12 foot leaders and fine tippets - 5X to 6X
Camping: Not in the canyon, though there is camping nearby at Lone Pine and Wigwam Campgrounds on Co 126.
Kids: Yes, but parts of the trail going down to the river can be very steep.
Additional Information: Cheesman Canyon can be crowded, especially in the summer. The further upstream you walk, the fewer crowds you will encounter.
South Platte River – Cheesman Canyon.
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Directions - 42.8 miles - 55 Minutes
- From Angler's Covey head west on US 24 W/Cimarron St, go 16.7 miles
- Turn right at CO-67 towards Deckers, go 23.1 miles
- Slight left at the town of Deckers and CoRd 126, go 3.0 miles
- Parking area is on the left