Waders & Boots
Simms Freestone Stockingfoot Waders
Durable, breathable four-layer waders built as a daily driver for seasons of wading.
Pack It For: Aug to Jun
Check Price Maker's Page
Rivers & StreamsFly FishingSpin, Cast & Bait
Clinch River (Virginia) Fishing Guide
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.
Part of the Clinch River.
Photo: vastateparksstaff via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Trip at a Glance
Anglers come to the Clinch River (Virginia) for smallmouth bass. No agency season found for the species here.
There are 10 shops nearby (3 fly, 7 bait and tackle), including Academy Sports + Outdoors in Kingsport. Also nearby: the South Holston River.
Season at a Glance
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Smallmouth Bass
Legend
This Month Spawning No Agency Season Found
Spawning: Virginia DWR (Smallmouth Bass)
Licenses & Regulations
Most anglers need a Virginia fishing license; age cutoffs and exemptions are set by the state. Seasons, limits, and tackle rules vary by water, so check current regulations before you go.
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 · Virginia · You're HereClinch 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 · TennesseeClinch 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 (Virginia) Species
Species per Virginia DWR.
Images: Duane Raver, USFWS. Public domain.
What to Use
Fishing In
Smallmouth Bass
No agency season found
Fly
9 ft 6 or 7 wt rod, floating line, 10 to 12 lb leader. Crayfish patterns, Clousers, and poppers.
Rod, Reel and Line
- RodOrvis Clearwater 9 ft 6 wt Fly RodCheck Price
- ReelRedington Behemoth Fly Reel · for 6 or 7 weightCheck Price
- LineScientific Anglers Mastery Infinity Fly Line · 6 or 7 wt.Check Price
Tie On in November
Typical picks from October, our closest listed month. Ask a local shop what is working in November.
- Fly for October · #2/0-6Clouser MinnowSee Options
- Fly for October · #6-10Crayfish FlySee Options
Spin / Cast
7 ft medium spinning rod, 2500 reel, 8 lb braid to a 6 to 8 lb fluorocarbon leader.
Rod, Reel and Line
- RodSt. Croix Triumph Spinning Rod · 7 ft 0 in, medium, fast, 6 to 12 lb line, 1 pieceCheck Price
- ReelShimano Sedona Spinning Reel · 2500Check Price
- LinePowerPro Spectra Braided Line · 8 lbCheck Price
Tie On in November
- Lure for November · 2.5 to 3 inNed Rig · Z-Man Ned Rig KitCheck Price
- Lure for November · 1.5 to 4.75 inJerkbait · Rapala X-Rap JerkbaitCheck Price
- Lure for November · 2.75 to 3.5 inTube Jig · Strike King Tube JigsCheck 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 (Virginia):
- Academy Sports + Outdoors, KingsportWebsite
- Bass Pro Shops, BristolWebsite
- The Fly Box, BristolWebsite
Map of Clinch River (Virginia)
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
55°F high, 34°F low
About 3.3 in of precipitation for the month.
Typical Flow
285 cfs
Most years 97 cfs to 902 cfs.
Typical, Not a Forecast: weather from NOAA's 1991 to 2020 normals at a station about 11 mi away; flow from USGS gauge 03524000, 1920 to 2026.
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 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 PageApparel
Frogg Toggs Pro Action Rain Jacket
A durable, waterproof hooded jacket for a wet month.
Pack It For: Aug, Dec to Jun
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
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: May to Sep
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Buff CoolNet UV Neckwear
A UPF 50 sun gaiter for the face and neck.
Pack It For: May to Sep
Check Price Maker's PageWaders & Boots
Simms Neoprene Wading Socks
Worn inside wading boots in place of waders when the water is warm enough to wet wade.
Pack It For: Jul
Check Price Maker's PageSome links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
Ramps and Launches on Clinch River (Virginia)
Source: Virginia DWR Boating Access Locations. Hours and fees change; check before you go.
Shops Near Clinch River (Virginia)
Farther Out
Guides and Charters Near Clinch River (Virginia)
GuideFly Fishing
Conrads Guide Service
Blountville, Tennessee
Per their website: Half-Day Trips, Full-Day Trips, Float Trips, Wade Trips
Farther Out
GuideFly Fishing
River Run Angling
Bristol, Tennessee
371 Boohers Private Dr 423-408-9438
Per their website: Half-Day Trips, Full-Day Trips, Float Trips, Wade Trips
GuideFly Fishing
High Country Angler Fly Fishing
Johnson City, Tennessee
1400 Kensington Pl 704-641-6815
Per their website: Half-Day Trips, Full-Day Trips, Float Trips, Wade Trips
GuideFly Fishing
The South Holston River Company
Johnson City, Tennessee
Per their website: Smallmouth Bass, Striped Bass, Half-Day Trips, Full-Day Trips, Float Trips
GuideFly Fishing
Trophy Water Guide Service
Hampton, Tennessee
Per their website: Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Smallmouth Bass, Half-Day Trips, Full-Day Trips, Float Trips, Wade Trips
GuideFly Fishing
Appalachian Fly and Yak
Creston, North Carolina
Per their website: Half-Day Trips, Full-Day Trips, Wade Trips
GuideFly Fishing
Riverstone Fly Fishing
Banner Elk, North Carolina
431 Old Hartley Rd 828-719-1543
Per their website: Float Trips, Wade Trips
