Where to Go South Platte River – Cheesman Canyon
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FALL HOURS 9am to 6pm Daily
Report Date: 9/23/2025
FIRE RESTRICTIONS ARE IN PLACE!
Current Conditions:
The flows from Cheesman have dropped a bit over the last few days. Current flows are now at 175 cfs and pretty close to seasonal average for this time of year. The river has been fishing technical, but extremely well. The fishing has been great, and we are seeing good action on all disciplines. Nymphing, dry fly fishing, and even hopper/droppers are all doing excellent. The main focus should be on your presentation right now. These fish want good, clean drifts!
Anglers can expect some variance in these flows throughout the remainder of the main season.
Cheesman reservoir is currently 86% full
Hatches:
The bug activity has increased a bit. The fall BWO's are starting to become very prolific and the fish are paying attention to them in all life stages. Midges are pretty strong right now as well. There are also still some tricos. Youll have to take it day by day in here right now in terms of what bugs the fish are focusing on.
Tactics:
Nymphing is the ideal tactic in the canyon. Depth/weight will always be the most important thing with nymphing, but especially now. Focus on seams, shelves, and transition points in the river. Make sure your flies are getting down! Dry fly fishing has also picked up and a great option now!
Tips:
Pay attention to presentation in here. Adjust your presentation before you start changing flies. This is one of our favorite times of the year to fish the canyon!
Weather:
Short Term- Today will be colder and definitely feel like fall. We will see quite a bit of rain today (Tuesday) On Wednesday we will start a gradual warmup through the week. Temps will be in the high 60's/low 70's and will be absolutely beautiful. Conditions should remain dry until about Sunday when precipitation chances ramp back up again. Morning lows have been cool and in the 40's. Its time to have those jackets in the car for those chilly mornings.
Long Term- After this weekend, we may still see some spotty precipitation the first part of next week. Temps will cool slightly but still be very nice with highs in the 60's and 70's. Another system is slated to be coming through the state late next week, but as of now those details are sketchy. As always, we will update that once it becomes a little more clear. For now, get out and enjoy this great fall weather!
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:
- RS2, grey, sizes 20-24
- Foamie Homie, black/brown, sizes 20-22
- Foamback emerger, brown, sizes 20-22
- Buckskin, sizes 20-22
- Blindside midge, grey, black, sizes 20-22
- Jedi Master, grey, size 22
Our Top Dry Flies for Today: (waning)
- Barrs vis a dun, olive, size 22
- Elk Hair caddis, tan, sizes 16-18
- Amys ant, green, size 12-14
- Stubby chubby, dark, sizes 14-16
- Chubby, yellow, green, sizes 12-14
Our Top Streamer Patterns for Today:
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- Wooly Buggers, black, green, brown, Natural. Sizes 12-8
- Baby Gonga, brown, grey. Size 6
- Jig Streamer/leech, dark, sizes 4-8
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.
Interested in Booking a Trip?
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