Fishing Season: Year Round

Clinch River - TN

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

40

Orvis Sevierville's Tip of the Week

It shall be a cold week ahead of us with some chances of snow in the forecast. If you are able to make it out, Midges, buggers and smaller nymphs are the ticket items for this week on the Clinch! Keep an eye on the generation schedule provided by TVA so you plan your time on the water accordingly.

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Map of Clinch River

Water Flow Data

5-Day Outlook as of 1/22/25

Today - Sunny, with a high near 31. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph. Tonight - Mostly clear, with a low around 15. Calm wind. Thursday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 39. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon. Thursday Night - Increasing clouds, with a low around 20. Calm wind. Friday - Partly sunny, with a high near 36. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon. Friday Night - Partly cloudy, with a low around 18. Calm wind. Saturday - Sunny, with a high near 44. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon. Saturday Night - Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24. Sunday - A slight chance of snow showers before 9am, then a slight chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 46. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Sunday Night - A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. Monday - A chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 45. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Monday Night - A slight chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Tuesday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 44.

Techniques & Tips as of 1/22/25

Nymphing and tossing some streamers 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.

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):
Bead Head Stonefly olive 14-20
Bead Head Woolly Bugger Streamer olive/black 6-8
Rojo Midge N/A 16-20
Rojo Midge N/A 18,20
zebra midge Red 18-22
San Juan worm Red 14-16
Vernille San Juan Worm red 14-20
Bead Head Brassie™ Purple 20
D and D White 2
Mini Dungeons N/A 22

Bead Head Stonefly

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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:

Small Pheasant tail nymphs 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