Fly Fishing Cheesman Canyon, (South Platte River): A Day in December
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- Опубликовано: 28 сен 2024
- Join Chris, Kyle, and Tim as they hike into the famous Cheesman Canyon near Deckers, Colorado to enjoy a day of fly fishing during an unseasonably warm December day.
Those are some of the most beautiful fish I've ever seen. Holy Toledo those deep colors. Love your videos and escapades with the crew - spring, summer, fall, and winter. Love that you're out in all seasons. Started in 2020 and this year was my first solid year of really getting out and learning any and everything I can from wherever I can. Admittedly, Cheeseman intimidates me a bit as I tend to fish solo more often than not. Seems daunting to know where to go and what to expect for down and back. Definitely on my 2021 plan as is the Blue below Green Reservoir. Wishing you and your crew Happy Holidays!! :) Thanks for all the learning in 2021.
Thanks Michelle. I appreciate the kind words. It's probably a good idea to go with someone if you're going to fish the dam side (south end) of Cheesman, but if you're going at it alone you'll probably be fine hiking in from the north end of the Gill Trail solo. The main parking lot is off of CR 126 just west of Forest Rd. 211. There is usually plenty of people that fish that section. I typically hike into the dam side to avoid the crowds. If you do go, I tend to fish small thread midges in the winter months. Sizes 22-26 in black, cream, and red will bring a fish or two to the net. Let me know how it goes. Happy Holidays and good luck, friend. -Tim
Great video of winter fishing in upper Cheesman. I see you had a yarn indicator for some of the video. I don’t think I normally see you with yarn indicators, so you like them? I love them except when it’s windy. I actually see you catch a lot of fish w/o indicators. I haven’t mastered that ninja technique yet. Thanks for the video.
Christopher, I make my own bushy macrame' yarn indicators for detecting the delicate strikes that typically come with winter fishing (especially in Cheesman). Unfortunately, the wind kicked up a little too much later in the day, so I switched to the bobber. I won't usually fish without an indicator unless I'm sight fishing or tight-line nymphing. During this trip I struggled to sight fish due to the shade in the canyon. Anyway, thanks for watching. I'm grateful that you have seen so many of my videos. I appreciate you. -Tim
Watching all your videos makes me so jealous, I never catch anything fly fishing, the other day when I told you I was going to the dream stream... goose egg lol
Sorry to hear that. Success will come with time on the water. The Dream Stream can be a tricky place for sure. For me, it's all about timing. Stick with it and try not to get discouraged. -Tim
Best colorado fly fishing channel. Combat fly fisher > Pat Dorsey
Keith thank you, but Dorsey is far greater. I appreciate you. -Tim
Nice catches, I was actually going to go to Cheeseman canyon in late spring, and I was wondering what flies do you recommend in spring and summer season and what gill trail do you recommend to hike
You can never go wrong with midges and baetis nymphs. The dam side hike into Cheesman can be challenging if you're not in shape. The north end is much easier. I fish it from both ends because each has it's own unique appeal. -Tim
The year was 2023. That drought let up 😂
Lol 🤣 didn't know u could fish that part since that sign was so close so I skipped that even tho I seen tons of feeding trout
So I just moved to Colorado and fished Cheeseman for the first time yesterday. Ended up having no luck. But my question is where did you park to get access that far up river? I parked in a packing lot down river and it was super crowded down on that stretch. I ended up walking about 2-3 miles up river and the further up I went were less people.
Sure thing Rob. There is a dirt road, Forest Rd 211, that runs south of County Road 126. Forest Rd 211 is the dirt road just to the east of where you parked on your last trip. Follow 211 for about 3 miles until you get to Cheesman Reservoir. The parking lot is on the north side of the road and is clearly marked. For more information, visit the below link to my website. There are downloadable maps:
combatflyfishing.com/s-platte-deckers
There’s a decent hike with 800ish ft elevation gain under a mile. Just FYI, if your active it’s no problem.
Just bought myself a go pro, do you use the chest mount in all your videos or the head mount?
I use the chest mount. I find that the head mount adds to too much motion. The chest mount is more stable but you can miss some good angles for time to time. -Tim
Always great watching your videos
I'm grateful you like them! -Tim
Nice Video and Fish, of course. I am relatively new to fly fishing (1.5 years) and just addicted. Have had reasonable success in Deckers area, but haven't tried Cheeseman. How long is the hike on the upper end? Fortunately I am self employed and can be a weekday angler.. Happy Holidays!
I've attached a link to my website that has all the information you are looking for, to include downloadable topo maps. I hope this helps and good luck. -Tim
combatflyfishing.com/s-platte-deckers
@@CombatFlyFishing Thx
Absolutely beautiful fish. I'm sitting here in Westminster jealous to the core. I've never fished the canyon but will have to see if my old bones can get down there and more questionable back out. Really enjoy your videos.
Thanks Alan. I’m grateful that you enjoy our videos. When you come down, try hiking in from the downstream side. The parking lot is just off of CR 126 just west of Forest Rd. 211. It’s a little more crowded by a little easier of a hike. -Tim Dropped pin
goo.gl/maps/iguQ4S7JPqUocuMA8
@@CombatFlyFishing Thanks, I have fished the lower area, but it has been years ago ( pre retirement ) .Now I can go during the week, Yay ! I have also fished up to the Wigwam clubs border, and caught probably the most beautiful Brown I've ever caught. Thanks for the reminder.
That's a solid day for Cheesman in Dec! Curious what your setup was - especially distance from indicator down to the fly they were hitting.
It really depends on the depth and speed of the water. For instance, if the water is slow, I’ll set my indicator to 1.5 times the depth the fish are holding and use as little weight as possible to get to the target zone. If the water is swift, I’ll be more apt to have a greater distance like 2-2.5 times the depth and more willing to go a lot heavier with the weight to ensure I’m hitting that target zone. That extra distance in that swifter water is much more forgiving than in slower runs. -Tim
I take it that you came in from the upper end of the trail and worked your way downstream, then returned out the same way. Do you ever leave a vehicle at the downstream end of the trail and then shuttle to the top? How far of a hike would a one-way trip be?
Beautiful!
Thank you.
great video
I’m grateful that you liked it. Many thanks. -Tim
Fly set up?
I always lose my crew when I fish Cheesman lol
Right? It’s so easy to get separated in that canyon. -Tim