Waders & Boots
Simms Freestone Stockingfoot Waders
Durable, breathable four-layer waders built as a daily driver for seasons of wading.
Pack It For: Year-round
Check Price Maker's Page
Rivers & StreamsFly FishingSpin, Cast & Bait
Clinch River (Norris Dam) Fishing Guide
Tennessee
The Clinch River below Norris Dam, about 14 miles of tailwater trout water down to the Highway 61 bridge in Clinton, stocked with brook, brown and rainbow trout and holding good numbers of large browns and rainbows.
Part of the Clinch River.
Photo: w_lemay via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Trip at a Glance
Anglers come to the Clinch River (Norris Dam) for rainbow trout, brown trout and brook trout. No agency season found for the species here.
There are 12 shops nearby (4 fly, 8 bait and tackle), including Academy Sports + Outdoors in Knoxville. Also nearby: the Nantahala River.
Season at a Glance
No agency season found for these fish here.
Season Rules & Licenses
- Norris Dam down to the Hwy. 61 bridge, including tributaries: all trout from 14 to 20 inches must be released; 7 trout a day, only 1 over 20 inches. TWRA 2026
Rules: our short summary, not the official text. Gear & Tackle is independent, not a government site; rules change, so read the agency's current rules before you go.
Most anglers need a Tennessee fishing license; age cutoffs and exemptions are set by the state.
Parts of the Clinch River
- Main PageClinch RiverThe Clinch River, a smallmouth bass river in southwest Virginia and, below Norris Dam in Tennessee, a tailwater stocked with brook, brown and rainbow trout.
- Rivers & Streams · VirginiaClinch River (Virginia)The Clinch River in southwest Virginia, flowing some 135 miles from near Tazewell through Russell, Wise and Scott counties to Tennessee, with good smallmouth bass fishing.
- Rivers & Streams · Tennessee · You're HereClinch River (Norris Dam)The Clinch River below Norris Dam, about 14 miles of tailwater trout water down to the Highway 61 bridge in Clinton, stocked with brook, brown and rainbow trout and holding good numbers of large browns and rainbows.
Clinch River (Norris Dam) Species
Species per TWRA.
Images: Duane Raver, USFWS. Public domain.
What to Use
Fishing In
Fish
Rainbow Trout
No agency season found
Fly
9 ft 5 wt rod, weight-forward floating line, 9 ft 4X to 5X leader. Add a sink-tip and 3X for streamers.
Rod, Reel and Line
- RodRedington Classic Trout Fly Rod · 9 ft 0 in, 5 weight, 4 pieceCheck Price
- ReelRedington Behemoth Fly Reel · for 5 and 6 weightCheck Price
- LineRIO Gold Fly Line · 5wt floatingCheck Price
- LeaderRIO Tapered Trout LeadersCheck Price
Tie On in November
- Fly for November · #16-22Zebra MidgeTailwaters.See Options
- Fly for November · #14-20Pheasant Tail NymphSee Options
- Fly for November · #4-12Woolly Bugger · Umpqua Wooly BuggerCheck Price
Spin / Cast
6 to 7 ft ultralight or light spinning rod, 1000 to 2500 reel, 4 to 6 lb mono or fluorocarbon.
Rod, Reel and Line
- Rod & ReelUgly Stik GX2 Ultralight Spinning Combo · 7 ft ultralight rod, size 25 reel, 2 pieceCheck Price
- LineBerkley Trilene XL Monofilament · 4 or 6 lbCheck Price
Tie On in November
- Lure for November · 1/16 to 1/4 ozInline Spinner · Mepps Aglia Inline SpinnerCheck Price
- Lure for November · 1/16 to 1 ozCasting Spoon · Acme Kastmaster SpoonSmall sizes for trout.Check Price
Picks: general for this fish, each checked against state and federal agency pages, not specific to this water. Ask a local shop what is working.
Gear: rods, reels and lines are starting points, sized from each maker's page. Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
Buy Local
Shops near Clinch River (Norris Dam):
- Academy Sports + Outdoors, KnoxvilleWebsite
- Academy Sports + Outdoors, KnoxvilleWebsite
- Bass Pro Shops, KnoxvilleWebsite
Map of Clinch River (Norris Dam)
Planning for a Month
Prime in November
No agency season found for the species here.
Daylight
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Moon
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Typical Weather
57°F high, 34°F low
About 4.0 in of precipitation for the month.
Typical, Not a Forecast: weather from NOAA's 1991 to 2020 normals at a station about 1 mi away.
Also Worth Packing
Clothing for November comes first, picked from typical weather here.
Waders & Boots
Simms Freestone Wading Boots
Supportive wading boots with determined traction for a full range of wading conditions, worn over waders or wading socks.
Pack It For: Year-round
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Frogg Toggs Pro Action Rain Jacket
A durable, waterproof hooded jacket for a wet month.
Pack It For: Sep, Nov to May
Check Price Maker's PageNets & Tools
Frabill Rubber Mesh Landing Net
A floating trout net with tangle-free micromesh rubberized netting and a flat bottom that supports the fish's weight evenly.
Check Price Maker's PageSunglasses
Costa Polarized Fishing Sunglasses
Polarized lenses cut glare so you can see fish, structure, and flats.
Check PriceApparel
Smartwool Classic Thermal Merino Base Layer
A 100% merino wool base layer for temperature regulation and moisture management, under waders or a jacket.
Pack It For: Dec to Feb
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Glacier Glove Alaska River Flip Mitt
Fingerless fishing gloves with a fold-over mitt for cold hands between casts.
Pack It For: Dec to Feb
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Simms SolarFlex Sun Hoody
A UPF 50+ hooded sun shirt with a vented hood and extended sleeves, for long, bright days.
Pack It For: Apr to Sep
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Buff CoolNet UV Neckwear
A UPF 50 sun gaiter for the face and neck.
Pack It For: Apr to Sep
Check Price Maker's PageSome links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
Ramps and Launches on Clinch River (Norris Dam)
Source: Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Access Sites. Hours and fees change; check before you go.
Shops Near Clinch River (Norris Dam)
Farther Out
Guides and Charters Near Clinch River (Norris Dam)
GuideFly Fishing
JA Sharpe Fly Fishing
Knoxville, Tennessee
3301 Fountain Park Blvd 865-936-1557
Per their website: Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Half-Day Trips, Full-Day Trips, Float Trips, Wade Trips, River Trips
Farther Out
GuideFly Fishing
Frontier Anglers TN
Maryville, Tennessee
Per their website: Smallmouth Bass, Float Trips
Guide
Bob & Todd’s Fishing Lodge
Lenoir City, Tennessee
3351 Hackney Chapel Rd 828-238-5269
Per their website: Striped Bass
