Fishing Season: Year Round

Clinch River - TN

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

45

Orvis Sevierville's Tip of the Week

It's gonna be a mix of rain, sunshine and wind this week so plan those fishing trips accordingly! Sulfurs and Cicadas are out on top water!!! If you are able to make it out, Midges, buggers and smaller nymphs are the ticket items for this week on the Clinch! You may see some caddis, Sulphurs or BWO out. 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 5/21/25

Today - Sunny, with a high near 77. West wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Tonight - Mostly clear, with a low around 55. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Thursday - A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 5pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 71. West wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Thursday Night - A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm, then a chance of showers between 11pm and 2am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 48. West wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Friday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 67. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Friday Night - Partly cloudy, with a low around 46. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Saturday - A 20 percent chance of showers after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 72. Calm wind. Saturday Night - A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. Sunday - Showers likely, mainly after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 79. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Sunday Night - Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 2am, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Memorial Day - Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 76. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Monday Night - Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Tuesday - A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 72.

Techniques & Tips as of 5/21/25

Sulfur Hatches are out on the water so keep an eye out for those bugs! 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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Item #0027

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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