Clinch River Outing, Date July 8-11. 2021
Many anglers who have fished the premier trout waters of the United States consider the Clinch River tailwater one of the finest trout fisheries in the country.
For fly anglers, it is a challenging river to fish. The clear, shallow, slow-moving Clinch demands a stealthy approach, delicate presentation, small flies and drag-free drifts. It is very much like fishing a spring creek, but this one is more than 75 yards wide! To consistently catch its wild, wary rainbow and brown trout requires concentration, careful execution and patience.
The Clinch tailwater is 13 miles long, flowing from Norris Dam, at River Mile 80, to the Highway 61 Bridge near Clinton, Tenn., at River Mile 67. The upper reaches of Melton Hill Reservoir extend to the Highway 61 Bridge, where the Clinch changes from river to slack water.
Rainbows comprise 80% to 90% of the catch, nearly all robust, wild, quality fish averaging 11 or 12 inches long. Fish in the 14- to 16-inch range are common and on most days anglers can reasonably expect to hook a fish or two in the 18- to 22-inch range. It is not uncommon for a skilled angler to land a half dozen fish over 18 inches during the sulfur emergence in spring.
The Tennessee state record brown, 28 pounds 12 ounces, was taken from the Clinch in the late 1980s. Browns over 30 pounds have been electroshocked or found dead by anglers.
For fly anglers, it is a challenging river to fish. The clear, shallow, slow-moving Clinch demands a stealthy approach, delicate presentation, small flies and drag-free drifts. It is very much like fishing a spring creek, but this one is more than 75 yards wide! To consistently catch its wild, wary rainbow and brown trout requires concentration, careful execution and patience.
The Clinch tailwater is 13 miles long, flowing from Norris Dam, at River Mile 80, to the Highway 61 Bridge near Clinton, Tenn., at River Mile 67. The upper reaches of Melton Hill Reservoir extend to the Highway 61 Bridge, where the Clinch changes from river to slack water.
Rainbows comprise 80% to 90% of the catch, nearly all robust, wild, quality fish averaging 11 or 12 inches long. Fish in the 14- to 16-inch range are common and on most days anglers can reasonably expect to hook a fish or two in the 18- to 22-inch range. It is not uncommon for a skilled angler to land a half dozen fish over 18 inches during the sulfur emergence in spring.
The Tennessee state record brown, 28 pounds 12 ounces, was taken from the Clinch in the late 1980s. Browns over 30 pounds have been electroshocked or found dead by anglers.
Fishing Location:
Outing Lodging Options:
There are numerous camping facilities including:
Clinton/Knoxville North KOA
Norris Dam State Park Campground
Cove Lake State Park Campground
TVA Loyston Pt. Campground
There is also numerous hotel lodging including:
Holliday Inn Express - Knoxville/clinton
Hampton Inn - Knoxville/Clinton
Red Roof Inn - Clinton
There are numerous camping facilities including:
Clinton/Knoxville North KOA
Norris Dam State Park Campground
Cove Lake State Park Campground
TVA Loyston Pt. Campground
There is also numerous hotel lodging including:
Holliday Inn Express - Knoxville/clinton
Hampton Inn - Knoxville/Clinton
Red Roof Inn - Clinton
Local Restaurants:
The area features all the standard fast food francizes as well as larger sitdown restaurants:
Harrison's Grill & Bar
Hobaneros
Gondolier
Coal Creek Smokehouse
Rickard Ridge BBQ
The area features all the standard fast food francizes as well as larger sitdown restaurants:
Harrison's Grill & Bar
Hobaneros
Gondolier
Coal Creek Smokehouse
Rickard Ridge BBQ
Group Events:
Thursday: Event Location & time & address
Friday: Event Location link & time & address
Saturday: Event Location link & time & address
Thursday: Event Location & time & address
Friday: Event Location link & time & address
Saturday: Event Location link & time & address
