Fishing Season: Year Round

Clinch River - TN

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

58

Orvis Sevierville's Tip of the Week

The work on the weir dam is still ongoing and the water 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. Hatches 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 4/24/24

Today Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 75. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Tonight Mostly clear, with a low around 46. North wind around 5 mph. Thursday Mostly sunny, with a high near 77. North wind around 5 mph. Thursday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Friday A 20 percent chance of showers before 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. South wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Friday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. Breezy, with a southeast wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Saturday Mostly cloudy, with a high near 78. Breezy, with a south wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Saturday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 62. Sunday Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. Breezy. Sunday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 61. Monday A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. Monday Night A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. Tuesday A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 82.

Techniques & Tips as of 4/24/24

Nymphing has been producing successful days out on the water. Long, light leaders (6x fluorocarbon ideally), 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. Tossing some streamers ( Dungeons) has also had some success on the water as well. Hatches are starting to pop on top water so don't forget to toss some dries, hatches are out!

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
Shaky Worm pink 14
Rojo Midge N/A 18,20
zebra midge Red 18-22
San Juan worm Red 14-16
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:

DnD's Dungeons Zebra Midges Scuds eggs 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