Stella Day in Cheesman Canyon
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Time to read 3 min
The boys head out to Cheesman Canyon in search of a winter tug. Meet Golden Fly Shop guide, Chris Stella, and his young stoke for fishing and guiding.With a good attitude and favorable conditions, the boys find success on a variety of flies. Come into the shop or check out the website: https://www.goldenflyshop.com
Winter fly fishing at Cheesman Canyon delivered big in this video recap. Despite February warmth pushing temps near 50°, the trout were active and feeding. Stella from Golden Fly Shop breaks down his full day on the water—drop-shot nymph rigs, Pat Dorsey and Brian Hilbert midge patterns, leech swings, and a full Cheesman Grand Slam (brown, rainbow, cutbow).
He also shares insight on guiding, connecting with anglers on the trail, and why Cheesman remains one of Colorado’s most challenging and rewarding tailwaters.
Top flies: Mercury Midge, Hilbert Day Saver Midge, small leeches, and eggs
Techniques: Drop-shot nymphing, subtle takes, leech swings
Conditions: ~50°, light midge hatch, breezy mid-day wind
If you're planning a winter trip to Cheesman Canyon, this breakdown serves as a perfect guide.
Intro – Heading to Cheesman Canyon
We’re headed out to the infamous Cheesman Canyon for a winter day of fishing. It really doesn’t feel like winter with the stretch of warm weather we’re having in Colorado. We’ve got a high of 60° on the Front Range today, which means the canyon should sit right around 50°.
I was out here yesterday for a quick scouting mission—I like putting eyes on the water the day before filming. Should be a good day of fishing in Cheesman. See you out there.
Arriving at the Canyon
We made it to “the cheese”—the famous tailwater where everyone says, “If you can catch a fish here, you can catch a fish anywhere.”
I always start my day nymphing just to get the skunk off the board. A couple of fish in the net gets the confidence going. We’re starting with a drop-shot nymph rig. My buddy Austin from CVY put me onto it, and Brian Hilbert put him onto it—shoutout to Colorado River Trout Hunters.
Hilbert runs his indicator right on top of the swivel. I give it about 6–7 inches above and use the swivel as weight. Let's get suited up and get on the water.
Meeting People on the Trail
Just met a couple of anglers—Terry and Stella. Love meeting fishy people on the walk in. Honestly, this is what I do it for—the people.
First Run of the Day
We made it to our first run. Already spotted a couple of fish. When I approach a river, I always want to see a fish first. When I take clients out, I tell them: see a fish, catch a fish.
We're running the drop-shot rig with a Pat Dorsey pattern on the tag and a Brian Hilbert black midge. We’re already seeing midges in the air. That means trout are feeding. Let’s get after it.
First Fish – Brown on the Swing
Swinging a leech through and got a little brown. Didn’t see the indicator move—I just felt the grab. Gorgeous fish.
Talking Guiding & Fishing
I’m only in year two of guiding, still new to the industry, but I’m driven by passion. This is what I love and what I’ll do for the rest of my life.
Forever grateful to Golden Fly Shop for giving me a shot. The best part of fishing is the people, the smiles, and the healing that comes from being outside. Whether it’s mental health, addiction, or anything life throws at you—the river helps. I just want to share that feeling with others.
More Fish – Brown, Rainbow, Cutbow (Grand Slam)
We got barbless hooks on the bottom, so tension is everything. Landed a rainbow after keeping it out of the weeds. Subtle take, but a gorgeous fish on an egg.
Next up—a cutbow. That gives us the Cheesman Grand Slam: brown, rainbow, cutbow.
Bigger Fish Starting to Move
Things heated up. Hooked into a big rainbow with thick shoulders—football-shaped. He ate a Mercury Midge. Always love when they eat the midge.
End of Day Recap (Driving Home)
How we doing—Stella from Golden Fly Shop wrapping up the day at Cheesman. You can probably tell from the smile: we found fish.
Temps hit about 50° with more wind than expected, so we didn’t get the dry-fly activity we hoped for. But we still stuck great fish all day.
Top producers today:
Mercury Midge (Pat Dorsey) – biggest fish of the day
Brian Hilbert Day Saver Midge – consistent eats
With warmer-than-normal weather, conditions are great. Get out there, enjoy it, and as always—stay fishy and stay golden. Till next time.