Fishing Season: Year Round

Clinch River - TN

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

54

Orvis Sevierville's Tip of the Week

Fall is on the door step...cooling temps, football saturdays, and hunting season means less traffic on tailwaters. May find some fish more willing to play since less traffic. Look for midging pods...Double midge rig - small zebras and zebra with light tippets. Do some "hunting" of your own and seek out prespawn browns too.

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Map of Clinch River

Water Flow Data

5-Day Outlook as of 10/2/23

TodaySunny, with a high near 86. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the afternoon. TonightMostly clear, with a low around 58. North wind around 5 mph. TuesdaySunny, with a high near 85. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Tuesday NightIncreasing clouds, with a low around 58. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. WednesdayMostly sunny, with a high near 84. Southeast wind around 5 mph. Wednesday NightPartly cloudy, with a low around 58. East wind around 5 mph becoming south after midnight. ThursdayPartly sunny, with a high near 82. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon. Thursday NightMostly cloudy, with a low around 62. FridayA 50 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 75. Friday NightA 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 48. SaturdaySunny, with a high near 66. Saturday NightMostly clear, with a low around 41. SundaySunny, with a high near 65.

Techniques & Tips as of 10/2/23

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, try a 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:

DnD's Dungeons 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