A tailwater is anywhere a river comes out beneath a bottom-release dam. 6x & 7x Tippet. With the sun so far south this time of year, the canyon does not receive a lot of sun. Jim and I woke up super early to be the first ones into Cheesman Canyon yesterday. As we move further into the winter fishing season in Decker’s and the Canyon, the crowds subside, the days are shorter, but the fishing can be lights out! Cheesman Canyon is one of the best tailwaters in the country. In normal Cheesman fashion, we worked our way up the canyon, stopping and fishing all the open runs we found. Stealth is important here, but fly and tippet size are just as important. By the afternoon, the temperature was still frigid, and we were ready to head back to the truck and enjoy some hot cider and a pull or two off the flask while we recapped the day. You see, the funny thing is, Cheesman Canyon is less than a 40-minute drive from my house. Winter. The South Platte in the Deckers & Cheesman canyon area is the closest sure thing for successful winter fly fishing. To start I’ve been feeling really good the last couple weeks on my new Lyme protocol (treatment), thank you doc’s, YOU Rock! Time restraints keeping me from fishing, but if I were you, I’d be in the Canyon! This is right in line with the historic average of 55-60 c.f.s for this time of year. This extra water is needed and the fish are feeding hard. Here, you’ll find pristine pocket water, low flows and decent water clarity. We are seeing some epic days out on the water right now. Cheesman Canyon. Previous Stocking • None in recent history. Both Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout naturally reproduce in this section of the South Platte River. At a Glance. The fishing ranges from moderate to technical, depending on the time of year. Operational Hours: Although open year-round, access during the winter may be limited due to snow. Home; Guided Trips. Small midges, leeches, eggs, and worms as attractor bugs! Anything over 700 cfs is high, and the fast, roily currents make for difficult fishing. To learn more about strategy and tactics that will be useful in the winter months, join our FREE Winter Fly Fishing presentation here at the shop on October 24th. With lower flows and larthatgic trout, winter fishing often calls for exrta fine tippet and small bugs. The canyon is a highly technical fishery with some amazing trout. Can someone advise where the best place to park? Waking into Cheesman Canyon and only taking my camera! Because this section of the South Platte is such a quality stretch of river, coupled with the its relatively close proximity to Denver, Cheesman receives tons of fishing pressure. For more information about fishing the Deckers area or Cheesman Canyon, feel free to stop by the shop or call. It's hard to believe that it's the 12th and final month of 2018. Cheesman offers many runs that have dramatic drop-offs leading to deeper runs. I arrived in the lower trail head parking lot at 7:00am. Additionally, consistent dam releases help promote an abundance of bug life and as a result actively feeding trout, regardless of the time of year. Our Takes: Cheesman Canyon in the winter is the ultimate test of sight fishing in Colorado. I was regularly catching fish with this combination, on both bugs! Epic midge hatches will provide trout with their primary food source during this time of the year. Amenities and General Info. I convinced myself that I’d have to fish the lower part of Cheesman Canyon because I only had a half day. Past experiences in Cheesman have been a mixed bag of good days and tough days. It is important to carry a variety of midge patterns from larva all the way to dries. I make a point to fish it every other year. Smaller bugs, lighter tippet, and a stealth approach will put fish in the net! Current Conditions at Cheesman Canyon: After low flows this summer we are seeing a bump in water on the South Platte drainage. Post By: mckinzie Posted: 3/5/2015 7:14:56 PM Points: 14 Hello fellow fisherman, I am fishing the So. Flies and lures only; Catch and release only; Stay on designated trails ; Dogs must be leashed at all times; Pack it in, Pack it out; Protect these waters from Aquatic Nuisance Species. Most weekend days the parking lot is full. It is one of the more accessible fly fishing destinations near Denver, Colorado and is great for anglers of all skill sets. But no more often than that. I have fished Cheesman numerous times but have never been into the canyon during the winter months. Beginner and veteran anglers alike can find success in the tail waters below Cheesman Lake. A big THANK YOU to Russ Schnitzer for all the work behind the camera. Take a trip with us on the South Platte River's Cheesman Canyon during the late summer and early winter of 2019, while we fly fish for rainbow and brown trout. Deckers & Cheesman Canyon: These two sections of the South Platte share a lot of the same characteristics and generally fish in tandem during the winter months. That being said, Cheesman has been fishing fairly well as of late and is in typical technical form. 5 years ago. Explore both the upper and lower gill trail through the beauty and grandeur of one of natures most awe inspiring fly fishing canyons. Winter Fly Fishing – Cheesman Canyon. And has anyone fish this in the last few days? Normally between 5X-7X and size #20-26 flies. By the time I drove to the river and hiked the Gill Trail into the canyon, I’d be luck … The fish are extremely spooky right now. With lower flows and larthatgic trout, winter fishing often calls for exrta fine tippet and small bugs. Cheesman yields great winter fishing. Flies and lures only; Catch and release only; Stay on designated trails ; Dogs must be leashed at all times; Pack it in, Pack it out; Protect these waters from Aquatic Nuisance Species. There’s a common belief among “canyon regulars” that if you can catch fish on the South Platte River, you can […] Coronavirus Policy; Loyalty Program; Customer Service; Hours; Map; Contact; Phone: (303) 674-4700; EXPERT ADVICE | FREE SHIPPING . Guided Trips. When I think of tailwater fly fishing I picture rocky canyons, big fish, small flies and cold winters. from Trouts Fly Fishing. Producer: Beyond the Fly “Life throws me a small gold nugget both in health and fishing. Why the disconnect? How is the hike down? Take a quick trip to Colorado and enjoy some winter fishing. They are also highly pressured and used to people as well as fly patterns. This meant a 4am wake up call and a hike in the dark, but it was all worth it! Whether it be the miles of hike access only river, the majestic canyon scenery, or the challenging fishing, a day in Cheesman Canyon is one of the best ways to experience Colorado with a fly rod in hand. Cheesman Canyon has long been the favored fishery for all the staff and guides at Trouts Fly Fishing. • Parking lots/access points (2) • Hiking trail: Hiking is the only way to access Cheesman Canyon. Perhaps Colorado’s most technical tailwater fishery, Cheesman Canyon is a stunning 3 mile stretch of the South Platte River. Trouts Fly Fishing recently posted this great video, by filmmaker Russ Schnitzer, of winter fishing on the South Platte River in Cheesman Canyon. Cheesman yields great winter fishing. Hardly ever does this canyon provide ‘easy’ fishing, but with only 56 CFS coming down, the fish are spooky! Cheesman fished very well yesterday and the dry fly action was the best I have seen in a long time. Winter fishing is always a crapshoot, and with water temps in the mid-fifties, there isn’t as much activity as weeks previous. The flow at Deckers is currently at 60 c.f.s. winter, although the Gill trail can be icy in areas. This particular stretch of the South Platte River receives a fair amount of fishing pressure but there is generally enough river to find some elbow room. Although it requires a tough hike in to reach the water in Cheesman, a lot of people take on that challenge. It is important to carry a variety of midge patterns from larva all the way to dries. Don't let the off season fool you though, Cheesman has been extremely busy this winter. After I make my way into the canyon, I choose my fishing location mainly based on the current releases from Cheesman Dam. Deckers\Cheesman Canyon Fishing Report. Episode 1 - Cheesman Canyon in Winter. Posted on November 15, 2019 by Doug Skinner Each year, CPW conducts fishery surveys of our rivers and reservoirs. Trophy Trout of Cheesman Canyon. Winter releases (November-February) average between 50 and 75 cfs. Please rember to fish early in the day and take water temperatures throughout the day. The periodic monitoring collects and records the biological data needed to guide fishery management in Colorado. Just took a nice little walk with the dog and spoke with three Anglers that already had between 3-8 in the net! This makes the trout of Cheesman weary of poorly presented flies. Target fish in deep runs or pools during this time of year. Where has the year gone? Cheesman Canyon. South Platte Winter Streamer Fishing Tips & Tricks >> Winter Nymphing on the South Platte in Cheesman Canyon & Deckers >> South Platte 11 Mile Canyon & Dream Stream . Home / Deckers and Cheesman Canyon Fishing Report; Fishing Report Jan 11, 2021. River: South Platte - Cheesman Canyon: Where to park - Cheeseman Canyon. Epic midge hatches will provide trout with their primary food source during this time of the year. Cover ground slowly and methodically. … Fly Fishing Cheesman Canyon | … I was told the old parking lot is no longer available. The opportunity to finally tackle this stretch during a time of year that most consider the toughest to fish was too much to pass up. Platte at Cheeseman Canyon up to the dam. Operational Hours: Although open year-round, access during the winter may be limited due to snow. Normally between 5X-7X and size #20-26 flies. Clear Creek trout are not picky when it comes to their diet, however, they spook easily and can spot a fake from a mile away. Fish in the section grow to large proportions. You’ll want to target these areas, as the fish find refuge in them in the colder months. At a Glance. Trout in the 24-inch range live in here, but they are not easily fooled. So if you're committed to afternoon tea and need a quick fly fishing fix, Clear Creek is the spot to be. The Gold Medal waters of Cheesman Canyon produces nice brown and rainbow trout. 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