Fishing Season: Year Round

Clinch River - TN

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

54

Orvis Sevierville's Tip of the Week

Check on generations schedules - still moving water throughout day. Also, on low water - be mindfull of redds. give spawners a break so they can give us future opportunities from thier efforts!

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Map of Clinch River

Water Flow Data

Tidal Conditions

5-Day Outlook as of 1/31/23

This AfternoonA 30 percent chance of rain before 1pm. Cloudy, with a high near 48. North wind around 5 mph. TonightRain, mainly before 4am. Patchy fog after 10pm. Low around 32. North wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. WednesdayA 30 percent chance of rain, mainly before 7am. Patchy fog before 11am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 44. North wind around 5 mph. Wednesday NightA 40 percent chance of rain, mainly after 1am. Cloudy, with a low around 35. Calm wind. ThursdayRain likely. Cloudy, with a high near 46. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Thursday NightA 30 percent chance of rain before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28. Northwest wind around 5 mph. FridayMostly sunny, with a high near 42. North wind 5 to 10 mph. Friday NightMostly clear, with a low around 21. SaturdayPartly sunny, with a high near 45. Saturday NightMostly cloudy, with a low around 31. SundayA 20 percent chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 49. Sunday NightPartly cloudy, with a low around 32. MondayMostly sunny, with a high near 55.

Techniques & Tips as of 1/31/23

Nymphing will produce the most fish day in and day out. Long, light leaders with olive midge in size 18 and black midge #22 range, trya red midge as well...Also #16 scuds, #18 PT's and a wool indicator will be the rig of choice through the winter.

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
Micro Egg peach 20
Shaky Worm pink 14
Bead Head Micro Midge N/A 18,20
zebra midge Red 22
San Juan worm Red 14-16
WD-40 Olive 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:

Midges Scuds eggs

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