Open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily

Report Date: 9/8/2026

Conditions:

The road is fully open following the completion of recent roadwork near the Knighthawk picnic area. Flows out of the dam recently bumped up from low late-summer levels to 120 cfs. This slight increase in water volume works directly in favor of anglers. The extra current pushes trout out of ultra skinny holding water and forces them into defined feeding seams, plunge pools, and boulder pockets. It also provides enough surface break to reduce spooky behavior while flushing fresh midges, caddis pupae, and scuds through the system. Cooler fall air maintains ideal water temperatures, triggering aggressive prespawn feeding among brown trout.

Weather:

Short-term

Autumn conditions dominate the canyon with highs reaching 68F to 72F today. Clear morning skies will give way to scattered afternoon cloud cover in the afternoon, accompanied by light breezes.

Long-term

Expect a steady fall pattern over the coming week with daytime highs between 65F and 71F and overnight lows dropping into the upper 30s. Crisp, sunlit mornings will transition to light afternoon clouds and brief localized wind gusts before clearing by evening.

Hatches:

Late season Trico spinner falls occur during warm morning windows between 8:30 AM and 10:30 AM in quiet tailouts. Small Blue Winged Olives size 22 to 24 emerge during overcast periods, alongside steady midge activity. Terrestrials continue to fall from the banks on breezy afternoons, while small caddis pupae drift through deeper slots.

Tactics:

Deploy 9 ft (or longer) leaders tapered to 6X fluorocarbon tippet. Swap bulky plastic indicators for a sliver of yarn or a buoyant dry fly to prevent startling fish in clear water. Lead with a larger attractor such as a scud pattern up top, trailing a tiny micro emerger or midge pupa underneath. For surface risers feeding along soft eddy foam lines, present a single dry fly on a long, drag free drift.

Tips:

This is an area where we offer guided fly fishing trips. We are one of two outfitters permitted to operate in Cheesman. There is no better way to learn an area like Cheesman Canyon than hiring one of our Orvis-endorsed professional guides!