The BIG Canyon: Cheesman Canyon Rainbows

Sometimes it feels kind of crowded, "small" and "stuffy" in 11 mile canyon.  Cars are parked all over the road right on the river.  When that happens, I venture into Cheesman Canyon. It feels bigger and I feel somewhat more secluded with only a hiking trail. Cheesman canyon also stretches my fly fishing skills.

The fish of Cheesman Canyon are far more challenging to entice. Often anglers who can catch ten fish in 11 mile, struggle to catch a single fish in Cheesman Canyon. And it holds some monsters that have learned to avoid our best attempts.

Cheesman Canyon is the true "Canyon Challenge." The fish seem to prefer the most natural looking fly patterns that do not have much in the way of flash. Natural RS2's, Pheasant Tail nymphs and thread midges seem to work best especially if you can present them well. Long drag free drifts that run deep along the seam lines are the key.

Those 10 casts you make that often produce a hook up in 11 mile might not produce a singe fish in Cheesman Canyon. Try another 100 or 1,000 casts with many readjustments. Maybe then a fish might take the fly; but probably not.

And then you still have  the challenge of  hiking out. You just experienced the canyon challenge.