Norris Dam on the Clinch River
The Clinch River gets it start in Southwest Virginia near Tazewell. It then flows roughly 300 miles Southwest through the Great Appalachian Valley collecting various tributaries such as the Powell River before it joins the main Tennessee River in Eastern Tennessee. Construction of the Norris Dam began in 1933 and was completed in 1936. Norris dam was the first dam built in the TVA system. The dam itself is 265 feet high and stretches 1860 feet across the Clinch River. The lake itself has about 800 miles of shoreline and 52.9 square miles, or 33,840 acres of water surface. The lake is 1.2 miles at its widest point and has a maximum depth of 210 feet. Norris Dam was primarily built for Flood Control for the area. There are two generators capable of producing 65.7 megawatts of power each. The flood control and the power production make Norris dam a vital component to this region.
Fly Fishing the Clinch River
The Clinch River is one of the premier Trout Fisheries in Eastern Tennessee. I fish this river on all flows and I fish it year round. My favorite time of year on the Clinch is during the colder months of November through early March. Fishing during this time of year produces some of the bigger Brown Trout that I see on an annual basis. The Clinch also offers great midge fishing and has a really prolific Sulphur hatch in the early Spring. Other insects of note on the Clinch are the Black Caddis Hatches that occur in the early Spring as well as the Scud and Sow bug population. Based on the water flows TVA is giving us, I fish the Clinch out of a Hyde Drift Boat as well as out of my Lowe 1760 Jet Boat. On one generator flows and lower flows you will be in the Drift Boat. Most of the winter Fly Fishing on two generators will be done out of the Jet Boat. If you have interest in learning more about this wonderful Trout Fishery CONTACT ME and I will be happy to put you on the River.
Access Areas, Lodging and Dining
The Clinch River is not limited to just boat fishing, there are several easily accessible wade fishing areas. Millers Island Access Area, The Songbird Trail in the shadows of Norris Dam and the Second Baptist Church in Clinton offer great wade fishing opportunities. Norris dam State Park and The Clinch River Brewery are also points of interest to check out when you are in the area. The Clinch River is also close to Oak Ridge as well as Norris, TN. Its worth a day trip to see the Museum of Appalachia, The American Museum of Science and Energy or the The K-25 History Center. If you want to find places to fish, eat and stay when you are here, just click on the MAP to the left and you will see all of my favorite places to eat, stay and access the Clinch River!