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

Report Date: 9/26/2026

Conditions:

Water levels coming out of Cheesman Dam are sitting low and skinny at 70 cfs, with crystal-clear water conditions. With the lower flows, trout have moved out of shallow riffles and edge water to hold tightly in deep granite plunge pools, canyon slots, and the shaded sides of large boulders. Because the fish are under high pressure and exposed in low flows, they are hyper-aware of bank movement and shadow casts. Flawless, drag-free drifts and long terminal tackle are essential to getting eats.

Weather:

Short-term

Mild fall conditions with afternoon highs reaching the mid-to-upper 60s under mostly clear skies. Winds remain manageable through the canyon floor at 5–8 mph, with occasional light gusts across exposed upper trail ridges.

Long-term

Daytime temperatures will trend into the high 50s to low 60s over the coming week, with nighttime lows dropping into the upper 30s. Increased cloud cover on afternoon windows will boost midday mayfly emergence.

Hatches:

Midges (#22–26) provide the primary hatch throughout the entire day. Light Blue-Winged Olive (BWO) activity continues in the afternoons, especially when overcast conditions roll over the canyon walls. Tailouts and foam lines still see sparse morning Trico spinner activity and late-season terrestrial drops (ants and beetles) along granite cliff edges during warmer afternoons.

Tactics:

Rig up with 9- to 12-foot leaders tapered down to 6x or 7x fluorocarbon. Replace large plastic indicators with a subtle pinch of yarn, wool, or strike putty to prevent spooking fish when casting into quiet pools. Run a multi-fly nymph rig starting with an attractor or crustacean lead—such as a small tan scud, brown San Juan worm, or Hare's Ear—followed by a micro-midge or baetis emerger.

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!