The Clinch River below Norris Dam in eastern Tennessee stands as one of the oldest and most distinguished tailwater trout fisheries in the American Southeast. Flowing from the hypolimnetic releases of Norris Lake — the first reservoir ever built by the Tennessee Valley Authority — the Clinch River maintains the cold, oxygenated temperatures necessary for a year-round trophy trout fishery in the Tennessee Valley region, where ambient temperatures would otherwise exclude trout entirely.
The fishery is defined by its exceptional rainbow trout population. While brown trout are present and taken regularly, the Clinch River has developed a reputation as a trophy rainbow tailwater — a designation earned through consistent production of large, powerful fish that grow rapidly on the river extraordinary food base. Electrofishing surveys by TWRA document rainbow trout populations that include significant numbers of fish in the 16 to 22 inch range, with documented catches of fish over 24 inches confirming the trophy potential of the upper sections near Norris Dam.
The Clinch River approximately 17-mile productive tailwater section spans from Norris Dam downstream through Lake City to the Melton Hill Reservoir backwater. The upper section — from the dam to the US-25W bridge near Norris — is the most productive and most sought-after water, featuring classic tailwater structure of deep runs, gravel bars, and undercut limestone ledges where large rainbows and browns hold in feeding lanes. TVA generation from Norris Dam is a constant management consideration; wading is best during low or no-generation periods, while high water from generation creates excellent nymphing conditions for anglers comfortable wading with a staff.
The Clinch River insect life is extraordinarily productive. The combination of nutrient-rich water from Norris Lake and stable year-round temperatures creates ideal conditions for massive populations of midges, sowbugs, scuds, and Blue-winged Olives. Midge fishing is a year-round technique on the Clinch, with size-22 to size-26 patterns in black, olive, and red colors producing fish in every month. The Blue-winged olive hatches from October through April can be genuinely prolific — on overcast November and December days, the Clinch delivers dry fly action that rivals the best technical tailwaters in the Western United States.
Perhaps the Clinch River's most distinctive characteristic is its combination of history and quality. As the product of TVA's first dam, the fishery has had nearly 90 years to develop, and the management wisdom accumulated by TWRA over that period has resulted in a carefully maintained trophy section that protects the upper-reach fish populations while providing broad public access throughout the lower stretches. Access points along Anderson County roads and within the Norris Dam State Park provide excellent entry to all sections of the fishery.
For visiting fly anglers, the Clinch River pairs well with the nearby South Holston — both tailwaters are within an hour's drive — making the northeastern Tennessee corridor one of the most productive multi-day tailwater fly fishing destinations in the entire Eastern United States.
