First time fishing Clinch for trout, advise needed

[khawk]

I'm planning a fishing trip to go up to the Clinch River. We will mainly be after trout and smallmouth. If there is anyone out there that could give any advise as to what sections to fish or any general area woulf be nice. Not asking for anyones honey hole!! lol Ive heard the trout fishing is awesome! Thanks

 

[7mm08]

1. Read the regs....there is a slot limit on trout, and that's why it's as you say "awesome".

2. Go to the Holston if you want trout and smallies on the same trip.

3. Anywhere there is public access is good, floating is better.

 

[JandSCattleCo]

If its near a Dam, check the generation schedules. Found that one out the hard way last week at Center Hill.

 

[coweye]

If your wading right below the Weir dam down to Millers island is a good but popular spot. If your fishing from the bank right above the Weir dam (I'm talking 0 to 200 feet above Weir dam) You can catch them on just about anything dry flies to corn. I usually use a gold colored spinner right above Weir dam when their running water, but it can get pretty crowded. Yes you better check generation schedules. If there not running water its alot better below Weir dam. TWRA likes this place if you know what I mean

 

[7mm08]

So coweye you are saying it's OK to poach trout, not use a license, fill up your cooler and return for more, or party catch for the grandkids playing next to the river while you fish? Classic! This guy is coming into your county to spend money at a restrurant or gas station and provide taxes to your county and you tell him where to poach or not to poach.

Might as well tell him where to spotlight deer up around Norris too!

 

[stik]

wading or boating? the fishing is generally better for the bigger fish with some water moving. boat control can be tricky with 2 generators going.
i have never caught a smallmouth in the "trout" section of the clinch.

 

[khawk]

So coweye you are saying it's OK to poach trout, not use a license, fill up your cooler and return for more, or party catch for the grandkids playing next to the river while you fish? Classic! This guy is coming into your county to spend money at a restrurant or gas station and provide taxes to your county and you tell him where to poach or not to poach.

Might as well tell him where to spotlight deer up around Norris too!

Not sure if I'm following you...

 

[khawk]

wading or boating? the fishing is generally better for the bigger fish with some water moving. boat control can be tricky with 2 generators going.
i have never caught a smallmouth in the "trout" section of the clinch.

We will be boating. From the sound of it the generation schedule plays a huge part. We aren't going til the 14th and they don't release the schedule looks like about 4 to 5 days out. How often do they change it or alter? I'm getting weary about it to tell the truth. The trout section sounds to me like it could be like getting "inside the fence "at oak ridge, ton a people rushing into the same place!

 

[Model70Man]

The Clinch is a fun place to fish. I was up there this past Saturday and caught and released over 20 trout in 3.5 hours. I have found if you are fishing out of a boat, 2 generators or about 3,000 cfs of flow is best for catching numbers. I wouldn't recommend fishing out of a fiberglass boat. As for locations on the river, honestly, I have caught trout at the base of Norris dam down to about 2 miles past the bridge in Clinton. You just have to know how to read the water.

 

[coweye]

7mm08 I think somebody has held you to tight or something. Thank GOD it's a free country to come and go as you please. Have fun Khawk it really dont matter if you catch a fish or not.

 

[khawk]

7mm08 I think somebody has held you to tight or something. Thank GOD it's a free country to come and go as you please. Have fun Khawk it really dont matter if you catch a fish or not.

I'll toast to that! LOL I'm heading up into the smokies in the morning after some natives with the fly rod. Its no different to me if I catch or not. Granted I want success or I wouldn't do it. just being "out there" is enough for me.

 

[stik]

wading or boating? the fishing is generally better for the bigger fish with some water moving. boat control can be tricky with 2 generators going.
i have never caught a smallmouth in the "trout" section of the clinch.

We will be boating. From the sound of it the generation schedule plays a huge part. We aren't going til the 14th and they don't release the schedule looks like about 4 to 5 days out. How often do they change it or alter? I'm getting weary about it to tell the truth. The trout section sounds to me like it could be like getting "inside the fence "at oak ridge, ton a people rushing into the same place!

i would recommend putting in at peach orchard access. there is a large shoal below the ramp that is wadable during no generation. there is good fishing upriver all the way to masingill bridge(and farther if running water). there is a ledge just above the bridge you can't cross during no generation. you will encounter other fishermen but it's usually not too bad.

 

[khawk]

wading or boating? the fishing is generally better for the bigger fish with some water moving. boat control can be tricky with 2 generators going.
i have never caught a smallmouth in the "trout" section of the clinch.

We will be boating. From the sound of it the generation schedule plays a huge part. We aren't going til the 14th and they don't release the schedule looks like about 4 to 5 days out. How often do they change it or alter? I'm getting weary about it to tell the truth. The trout section sounds to me like it could be like getting "inside the fence "at oak ridge, ton a people rushing into the same place!

i would recommend putting in at peach orchard access. there is a large shoal below the ramp that is wadable during no generation. there is good fishing upriver all the way to masingill bridge(and farther if running water). there is a ledge just above the bridge you can't cross during no generation. you will encounter other fishermen but it's usually not too bad.

Thanks for the tip Stik..U da man!!

 

[sharpshooter]

So coweye you are saying it's OK to poach trout, not use a license, fill up your cooler and return for more, or party catch for the grandkids playing next to the river while you fish? Classic! This guy is coming into your county to spend money at a restrurant or gas station and provide taxes to your county and you tell him where to poach or not to poach.

Might as well tell him where to spotlight deer up around Norris too!

Where did he say anything about poaching?

 

[East TN Bowhunter]

Thats what I'm trying to figure out... some people just like to jump in the river before they know how to swim

 

[7mm08]

So coweye you are saying it's OK to poach trout, not use a license, fill up your cooler and return for more, or party catch for the grandkids playing next to the river while you fish? Classic! This guy is coming into your county to spend money at a restrurant or gas station and provide taxes to your county and you tell him where to poach or not to poach.

Might as well tell him where to spotlight deer up around Norris too!

Not sure if I'm following you...

His last sentence...."TWRA likes this place if you know what I mean" seems clear enough to me. Why else does one avoid the game warden unless you have something to hide.

Fished this river since 1986. I have seen the good years and the really bad years. Alot of work went into getting some regs on this river which have improved it for all. Why tell someone where the game wardens go to avoid.....if you know what I mean. I have seen it and heard it all on the river from....."I didn't know there were special regs" and to an obvious slot fish on a stinger that should be thrown back, and someone saying "the fish is over 20"...that math may only work on their wives but not on a trout stream that is one it's way back from the dinks that were caught most of the time just 5 years ago.

....."know what I mean"....does this make sense now?

 

[coweye]

NO I dont know what you mean and thats not what I meant when I said "TWRA like this place if you know what I mean". I have seen as many a 5 warden at one time checking licence. Not that I'm doing anything wrong I just try and stay away from them. The same way with police if they got a road block I go around it and I dont drink or nothing like that. When I go to the Weir dam and the Warden there I got keep on going and I have my Sportsman licence and I don't keep the fish and nothing to worry about but thats just me.

 

[sharpshooter]

Coweye, if it makes you feel better I know what you meant. It's kinda like getting a courtesy headlight flash from an oncoming driver letting you know the police are setting up radar ahead. Some people just like to assume whatever they want and make a decent sportsman into a poacher. I have seen it on here a lot. That is one reason I rarely post on here anymore.

 

[coweye]

Thanks sharpshooter I fill alot better now. I get what 7mm08 is saying and its all true but I was just trying to help the guy out. No big deal here, That what I like about Tndeer

 

[khawk]

Is there a link that anyone has for the regs fishing? Definitely don't want to break any laws!!

 

[stik]

regs are simple. no fish between 14 and 20 inches. 7 fish limit. only 1 can be over 20 inches but you can keep 7 under 14 inches. no bait restrictions.

 

[khawk]

wading or boating? the fishing is generally better for the bigger fish with some water moving. boat control can be tricky with 2 generators going.
i have never caught a smallmouth in the "trout" section of the clinch.

We will be boating. From the sound of it the generation schedule plays a huge part. We aren't going til the 14th and they don't release the schedule looks like about 4 to 5 days out. How often do they change it or alter? I'm getting weary about it to tell the truth. The trout section sounds to me like it could be like getting "inside the fence "at oak ridge, ton a people rushing into the same place!

i would recommend putting in at peach orchard access. there is a large shoal below the ramp that is wadable during no generation. there is good fishing upriver all the way to masingill bridge(and farther if running water). there is a ledge just above the bridge you can't cross during no generation. you will encounter other fishermen but it's usually not too bad.

Is the fishing better during generation or no generation?

 

[stik]

Is the fishing better during generation or no generation?

i have had good days in both situations. i believe you are more likely to hook one of the really monster browns with the water running. this past sunday, we waited until the water came up(1 gen.) to put in at peach orchard and ran up to miller's island. fishing was slow.

 

[khawk]

Is the fishing better during generation or no generation?

i have had good days in both situations. i believe you are more likely to hook one of the really monster browns with the water running. this past sunday, we waited until the water came up(1 gen.) to put in at peach orchard and ran up to miller's island. fishing was slow.

Thanks again for the tip Stik, your a class act on this site!