South Platte River - Cheesman Canyon

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» Latest Fishing Report - Oct. 18, 2009

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Latest Fishing Report

Report Date

Oct. 18, 2009

Flow

104 cfs

Reporter

Tucker Ladd

Overview

Great fishing can be had, but the fish aren't going to just give it away... you're going to have to work for them.

Current Conditions

Despite the low flows in Cheesman Canyon, the fishing has been very productive, you just need to know where to find the fish. During low water periods, especially when the water is still warm, and the bug life is abundant, a majority of the FEEDING fish will be in the shallow fast moving water. Why you may ask? the answer is two fold. First, the faster more turbulent water makes the fish feel more at ease, and more protected from predators. Second, the faster water is going to be more oxygenated, and it will contain more food. Fish during the fall are focused on bulking up before the winter, so their feeding is based upon maximizing their caloric intake (i.e. they want to eat the biggest, most protein rich food they can). Which brings me to the second important part of this report, fly selection. Because the fish are more interested in high calorie food, they are keying in on larger flies. This is not to say that the trout won't eat a size 24 Rs2, but if a well presented stonefly were to pass them by, chances are they are going to eat it.

Hatches

Caddis, Baetis, BWO's, Eggs, Stonefly Nymphs

Recommended Flies

Dries:

Foam PMX 10-14, Para Hopper 12-14, PMX 12-14, Chernobyl Ant 10-12, Amy's Ant 10-12, Royal Wulff 10-12, Parachute Adams 12-20, Adult Midges, Brooks Sprout Midge, Peacock Caddis 12-16, Elk Hair Caddis 12-16, Stimulators 12-18, Extended Body BWO 16-20, Paractute BWO 16-20, Pablo's Cripple Baetis

Nymphs:

Tunsten Z-Wing Caddis 16-20, Tungsten WD-40 18-20, Tungsten Rainbow Warrior 18-20, Tungsten Rainbow Sowbug 18-22, Tungsten CDC Pheasant Tails 18-22, Pheasant Tail 16-22, Prince Nymphs 14-22, Tungsten Prince Nymphs 14-20, Tungsten Copper Johns 16-22, Otter's Eggs, Unreal Eggs, Micro Eggs, *NEW* Micro Flash Worms, Rs2 18-20 (grey, olive, black), Cheesman Emerger 18-20, Juju Baetis 18-22, Tungsten Tailwater Tiny 18-22 (red, black, olive), Zebra Midges 18-22 (black, olive, black/red, black/brown)

Streamers:

Sculpzilla, Jawbreaker Jigs, Meatwhistles, Slump Busters, Kiwi Muddlers

14 Day Forecast

Fishing will remain productive during this warming period. Once the temps start to drop, look for fish to retreat to the slower, deeper pools. Remember that they are eating very opportunistically, so don't be afraid to throw them something a bit bigger then usual.