Fishing Season: Year Round

Clinch River - TN

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

61

Orvis Sevierville's Tip of the Week

The work on the weir dam is finally over and open! The water recently is low and slow. Double midge rigs or a bead head pheasant tail nymph, with a zebra midge underneath are working pretty well. Keep an eye on the generation schedule provided by TVA so you plan your time on the water accordingly. Sulfers have definitely been poppin' off the past few days!

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Map of Clinch River

Water Flow Data

5-Day Outlook as of 5/13/24

Monday, May 13 Day Increasing clouds with a slight chance of a stray shower late. High around 75F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.Chance of rain 20%. Night Cloudy with occasional showers and a few rumbles late at night. Low around 60F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%. Tuesday, May 14 Day Rain showers in the morning with thunderstorms developing in the afternoon. Isolated strong to severe storm. High 75F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%. Night Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Low near 62F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%. Wednesday, May 15 Day Scattered showers and thunderstorms around. High around 74F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%. Night Mostly cloudy with spotty showers. Chance of rain 30%. Low 60F. Winds light and variable. Thursday, May 16 Day Partly cloudy skies. High 80F. Winds light and variable. Night A slight chance for a few showers late. Low near 62F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 20%. Friday, May 17 Day Scattered thunderstorms, most likely in the afternoon. High 77F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%. Night Spotty thunderstorms during the evening followed by occasional showers overnight. Low around 63F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%. Saturday, May 18 Day Scattered showers and thunderstorms. High 79F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%. Night Partly cloudy with a stray shower. Low 61F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 20%. Sunday, May 19 Day Partly cloudy with a stray shower. High 82F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 20%. Night Cloudy with occasional rain showers. Low around 60F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%.

Techniques & Tips as of 5/13/24

Nymphing and tossing smaller dry flies has been producing pretty successful days out on the water. Long, light leaders (6x fluorocarbon ideally for nymph rigs, mono for dries), Midges size 18-22, colors- black, olive, purple and red have been working pretty well. Pheasant tail- sizes 16-20 with or without bead head heads have been getting hits on the water all under an indicator. Yellow Sally's (sulfers) are out and hitting well!

Local Species Available Year Round

  • Fish Icon

    Trout

Orvis Sevierville's Recommended Fly Patterns

"Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Midge olive 18-24
Midge Dun/Sulfer 18-22
Yellow Sally sulfer 16-20
Rojo Midge N/A 18,20
zebra midge Red 18-22
San Juan worm Red 14-16
Sulphur Parachute Light Yellow 16-20
Bead Head Brassie™ Purple 20
D and D Yellow 2
Mini Dungeons N/A 22

Midge

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Orvis Sevierville's Recommended Gear

Description: About Clinch River

The Clinch River has alternately been described by one local guide as the “Cinch” and the “Grinch”, depending on the day. Regardless of one’s individual experience, there is no denying that some of the largest trout in Tennessee reside within its cold depths. In fact, the Tennessee state record Brown Trout (28lbs. 12oz.) was caught in 1988 just upstream from the Miller’s Island Boat Ramp. Fly-fishermen are primarily concerned with the 13 miles of river between the Norris Dam and the public access at the Hwy 61 bridge in Clinton. How you are going to fish the Clinch is largely dependent on the TVA’s electrical generation schedule. With the water off, there are myriad wading opportunities around Miller’s and upstream of the Hwy 61 bridge. It takes 4-5 hours for the water released from Norris to reach this lower access point. Kayaks, kickboats, and canoes can allow access to productive water in the Weir Pond below the Dam, and in the vicinity of the Peach Orchard access. On one generator release, the river becomes ideal for drift-boats. The upper float from Miller’s to Peach Orchard is more of a half-day endeavor, so you can wade down in Clinton until the water comes up, and then run and float the upper section. If you are more interested in a full-day float, row down to the shoals below Peach and wade fish until the water is on. Two generators are considered unfishable. The new slot-limit (14”-20” fish must be released) should dramatically increase the number of fish that escape the frying pan and grow into that healthy 18”+ range.

Nearest Airport:

Knoxville, TN (TYS)

Hatches:

Yellow Stone flies Yellow Sally's DnD's Dungeons Zebra Midges Scuds Pheasant Tails

Best Time to Fish:

Depends on Generation Schedule

Best Stretch:

Wade: Hwy 61 all day w/ 1 hour pulse. Millers when the water is off

Best Access:

Millers Island / Weir Dam