Cheat River
river in West Virginia
Known for technical float and wade fishing through steep canyon sections near the Mountain State, the Cheat offers excellent insect hatches and summer smallmouth fishing.
River flow last 30 days
Water temperatures are cooling
- 01Water temperatures are cooling, encouraging fish to feed aggressively.
- 02Streamer patterns imitating baitfish and leeches are highly effective for larger predatory fish.
- 03Nymphing subsurface with general attractor patterns will be productive as insect activity shifts.
- 04Opportunistic dry fly feeding can occur during fall caddis and mayfly hatches, especially on warmer, overcast days.
Past reports week by week
10 weeksWhat to tie on
Picked from reports, hatches and the season. Tap a fly for the recipe and where else it works.
Woolly Bugger (Olive)
A versatile streamer, the olive Woolly Bugger imitates leeches and baitfish, which are consistent food sources for bass and trout, and very effective in cooler fall waters.
Flashback Pheasant Tail Nymph
A classic and versatile searching nymph, the Flashback Pheasant Tail mimics various active mayfly nymphs that are present year-round and become more important as surface activity wanes.
Crayfish (Fly) (Olive/Rust)
Crayfish are a primary food source for smallmouth bass in rocky areas, and their activity can increase in fall as water temperatures decline, making this a crucial subsurface pattern.
October Caddis
Fall is known for the emergence of October Caddis, which can trigger strong dry fly action for opportunistic brown trout looking for larger insects on the surface.
Hellgrammite Fly
Hellgrammites are a consistent and substantial food source in rocky rivers like the Cheat year-round, making this a reliable subsurface pattern for fall bass and trout.
Prince Nymph
A versatile attractor and stonefly nymph imitation, effective year-round in all water types for subsurface feeding trout as they forage for available insects in cooler water.
Buy at AmazonBlue-Winged Olive Comparadun
Blue-Winged Olives are a significant fall hatch, especially on overcast days. This low-profile dry fly is excellent for selective trout feeding on emergers and adults.
Where to fish and who to ask
Albright / Cheat Canyon Put-ins
Classic canyon float put-in with access to riffles and pocket water for smallmouth.
Parsons / Upper Cheat Access
Upper riffle-and-pool sections above the canyon that hold trout and mixed warmwater species.
Fly shops within 40 miles
North Fork Fly Shop At Harman's
Smoke Hole Outfitters
Savage River Outfitters
Natives Fly Fishing
Get Cheat River reports by email
Save this water and we'll email you a weekly summary of conditions, hatches and what's working.
West Virginia season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
Read before you go
Winter Fly Fishing: Essential Cold Weather Tips & Tactics
Master winter fly fishing with proven cold weather strategies, gear selection, and tactics for catching trout when temperatures drop.
Fly Line Types Guide: WF, DT, Running & Shooting Heads
Master fly line selection with our comprehensive guide to weight forward, double taper, running lines, and shooting heads for every fishing situation.
Fly Fishing Pack vs Vest: Which Setup Is Right for You?
Compare fly fishing packs and vests to find the perfect gear setup for your angling style and fishing conditions.
Best Fly Fishing Sunglasses: Lens Color & Polarization Guide
Master lens color selection and polarization technology for superior vision and fish detection on the water.
Fly Fishing Nets – Rubber vs. Nylon & Why It Matters for Fish
The net you choose dramatically impacts fish survival. Here's why rubber nets are superior to nylon for catch-and-release success.
Best Budget Fly Fishing Combo Setups for Beginners
Expert guide to affordable fly fishing combos that won't break the bank but deliver quality performance for new anglers.
Quick answers
Common questions about Cheat River.
What flies work best on Cheat River?
Our top scored fly patterns for Cheat River right now are Blue-Winged Olive Comparadun (80% confidence), Hare's Ear Nymph (80% confidence), Gurgler (Bass) (80% confidence). These picks are scored from recent fishing reports, hatch data, and seasonal patterns.
What fish species are in Cheat River?
Cheat River holds Smallmouth Bass, Rock Bass, Brown Trout. See the species links on this page for fly recommendations and seasonal behavior for each.
What are current flow conditions on Cheat River?
Live USGS streamflow readings for Cheat River are charted in the sidebar of this page and updated automatically from the nearest gauge.
Is Cheat River fishing well right now?
We publish a fresh bite report for Cheat River each week based on recent on-the-water intel. The current report — with conditions, hatches, and what's producing — is on this page.