Right now
Live from USGS gauge 06701500 and National Weather Service.
What to tie on now
- Flies
- Midge larva/pupa #22–26, Baetis nymph #20–22, RS2
- Rig
- 9' 5x leader + 3' of 6x–7x fluoro, tiny yarn indicator, #6 split shot. Indicator about 1.5× the depth.
Best flow range here: about 60 to 300 cfs. The live flow above tells you where today sits.
Flies checked against local shop reports on Nov 15. Ask at the local fly shop for what hatched this morning. They know before we do.
- Water
- South Platte River tailwater below Cheesman Dam
- Drive from Denver
- About 2 hours from north Denver, less from the south metro
- Access
- Walk-in only, from the Gill Trailhead
- Best for
- Sight fishing to large, educated trout
- Season
- Year-round; winter is midges, spring and fall are Baetis
- Gauge
- USGS 06701500, South Platte below Cheesman Lake
- Dogs
- Allowed on the trail. Keep them leashed and out of the runs you're fishing
Where to park
Cheesman Canyon (Gill) Trailhead
- Paved lot on the right at the bottom of the big hill on CR 126. Free (donations accepted), designated spaces only, no overnight parking.
- From the lot it's a steep hike in on the Gill Trail. No facilities in the canyon.
- Dogs on leash.
Lots, fees and hours change. Check posted signs when you arrive.
Why anglers make the hike
Cheesman Canyon is the stretch of the South Platte between Cheesman Dam and the Wigwam Club, and it's walk-in only. Big granite boulders, clear water and a steady release from the bottom of the dam make it one of the most technical trout fisheries in the country. The fish are big, they see a lot of flies, and they look hard at every drift.
You don't come here for numbers. You come to spot one fish and fool it with a size 24 midge on 7x. A day with three good fish counts as a good day.
Getting in: the Gill Trailhead
Park at the Gill Trailhead on County Road 126 near Deckers. Plan on at least 25 minutes of walking to reach the river, with real climbing on the upper trail. Most people walk another 10–15 minutes to get past the crowd at the first pools.
Wear real boots, carry your waders, and bring traction in winter, because the trail ices up in the shade. Treat the hike out as part of the day and leave yourself daylight for it.
Flows and when it fishes best
Releases from Cheesman Dam set everything here. The canyon fishes at a wide range, but wading gets hard as flows climb and turns dangerous at high water. Many guides like moderate flows in the low hundreds of cfs, because the fish spread out and the river is easier to read.
In winter, low steady flows mean clear water and spooky fish. Fish the middle of the day, when the sun warms the water and the midges move. Check the gauge before you drive, since a release change can reshape a whole morning.
Flies by season
- Winter (Dec–Feb): midge larva and pupa, #22–26, in red, black and olive. Small zebra midges and RS2s.
- Spring (Mar–May): Baetis nymphs and emergers, #20–22. Eggs work during the rainbow spawn, but fish behind the redds, never on them.
- Summer: PMDs, caddis and tricos, plus small attractors in the riffles. Terrestrials late in the season.
- Fall (Sep–Nov): Baetis return on gray afternoons. Browns spawn, so small streamers are worth trying and stay off the gravel.
A rig that works
Most days, run a 9-foot 5x leader plus 2–3 feet of 6x or 7x fluorocarbon, a small yarn indicator, and enough split shot to tick the bottom now and then. Put a slightly larger fly up top (an egg or a small Baetis nymph) and a midge as the trailer.
Long, drag-free drifts matter more than the fly. Change your weight before you change your flies. Approach each pool from below and stay low; your shadow and your wading will spook the fish long before the fly does.
Regulations and etiquette
Cheesman is Gold Medal water with special regulations, including flies and lures only. Rules change, so read the exact stretch in the CPW Fishing Atlas before you go, and carry a current Colorado fishing license.
Give other anglers room; in a canyon this tight, a pool is one person's. Keep fish wet, land them fast, and avoid walking on spawning redds in spring and fall.
A sample day in the canyon
Get to the trailhead early enough to hike in without rushing. Spend the first hour walking and looking. Polarized glasses and patience find more fish here than any fly. When you spot a feeding fish, set up below it, adjust your depth, and make your first drift your best one. When the sun is fully on the water, usually late morning in winter, the midges get active and the fish start moving to eat.
Plan your hike out before the light goes. The upper trail is steep, and it's slow going in waders on ice.
Backup plans
If the canyon is crowded or the flow is off, Deckers is minutes downstream with easy roadside access. Waterton Canyon is a closer alternative on the same river for the Denver side of town.
Know before you go
- Check the live gauge the morning you go. A release change can turn a good day into a slow one.
- Read the exact stretch's rules in the CPW Fishing Atlas, since special regulations vary within a river.
- Carry a current Colorado fishing license. Annual licenses run April 1 through March 31.
- Check the road: COtrip for I-70, US-285 and US-24 in winter.
- Pack for the season: in cold months, gloves, hand warmers, a thermos and traction for icy banks.
Where to eat and gear up
Stops in Deckers. Dog-friendly means leashed dogs on the patio; call to confirm, especially in winter.
| Stop | Type | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Deckers Corner | Food | General store + café, right at the river |
| Sprucewood Inn | Food | Burgers & green chili, on the way out |
| Flies & Lies | Fly shop / tackle | The Deckers/Cheesman shop. Stop first |
Questions anglers ask
- How long is the hike into Cheesman Canyon?
- Plan on at least 25 minutes from the Gill Trailhead to the river, and 35–40 minutes to get past the most crowded water. The upper trail climbs, so give yourself extra time on the way out.
- What is the best fly for Cheesman Canyon?
- Small midges (#22–26) fished under an indicator catch fish year-round. In spring and fall, add a Baetis nymph or an RS2.
- Can you fish Cheesman Canyon in winter?
- Yes. It's a tailwater, so it stays open all winter. Fish from late morning to mid-afternoon, and bring traction for the icy trail.
- Is Cheesman Canyon good for beginners?
- It's tough for beginners. The fish are wary and the water is technical. Newer anglers usually do better at Deckers or with a guide on their first trip.
- Are dogs allowed in Cheesman Canyon?
- Leashed dogs are generally allowed on the trail. Keep them out of the water you and others are fishing, and check posted rules.
- Where can I buy flies or tackle near Cheesman Canyon?
- Flies & Lies is the closest shop. The Deckers/Cheesman shop. Stop first.
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