Where to Go South Platte River – Cheesman Canyon
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FALL HOURS 9am to 6pm Daily
Report Date: 11/25/2025
Current Conditions:
Cheesman has been fishing great over the last week. The flows from Cheesman are pretty much right around seasonal averages. Current flows are at 132 cfs and have been stable for about 3 weeks. Nymphing has and will be the most productive method right now. The dry fly fishing has been pretty stellar as well, 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. The main focus should be on your presentation right now. These fish want good, clean drifts! Longer leaders and lighter tippet are a good idea. The fish are starting to group up a little more. This is typical during the winter months and normal. The fish are feeding voraciously during pronounced hatches. We have seen some spawning fish in the river, please avoid them and their nests (redds)
Weather:
Short Term- While we are not quite fully into a winter weather pattern yet, we are getting closer. This last weekend saw some rain and flurries and then some very nice weather yesterday. Today will be the coldest day of the week with temps struggling to make it out of the 40's. This week will remain fairly quiet, but we will see some variable temperatures through the week. Temps will be in the 50's for the most part and we will be absolutely beautiful fall weather. Morning lows will be quite cold in the 20's. Some changes are on the horizon as we head into the weekend.
Long Term- After this week, some larger scale changes are coming our way. Forecasts were originally pinning this storm to deliver a good amount of snow to the area. Now recent models are painting a different picture. The forecast is all over the place and we still have no idea the potential impact of this weekends storm. One thing is for sure, it will be cold and the potential for snow will be there. This is the type of forecast that we will have to wait until right up to the weekend for any accurate information. As of now, we should see some rain/maybe snow overnight on Friday and through the weekend. Longer range forecasts are suggesting a cold and active weather pattern through about the 10th of December. This would be a good thing as we are near record low snowpack not only in Colorado, but the entire western U.S. Do those snow dances people!
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
- Egg patterns, all colors, sizes 14-16
- Jedi Master, olive, size 22
- Pheasant tails, size 20-22
- Blindside midge, purple, sizes 20-22
- Daysaver baetis, olive, size 22
Our Top Dry Flies for Today:
- Barrs vis a dun, olive, size 22
- Wild Turkey baetis, olive, size 22
- 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
- Humdinger, brown, size 4
- Baby Gonga, yellow, size 6
- Poacher, olive, size 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