Clinch River Hatches and Trout Flies:
There are a few mayflies and quite a few
caddisflies that emerge on the Clinch River
but the hatches are not consistent day in and
day out. There is a sulphur hatch that can be
good at times. It is about the only mayfly
hatch of any importance. It starts in late April
and peaks during May. By the first of June it
has ended in most areas. Many days you will
be lucky to see midges on the surface. Most
of the fly fishing should be done subsurface.
The river has a population of both scuds and
sow bugs and at times it seems they are the
preferred food of the trout. However, as
plentiful as they are, imitations of them don't
always work.
There are several species of Cinnamon
Caddis. They can hatch off and on from June
through the month of September. LIttle
Sisters are also present in limited quantities.
They hatch in late June and on into the first
two weeks of July. Other species are present
but not in large quantities.
This is an excellent river to fish large
streamers in for two reasons. When they are
running two generators, it is about the only
way you can fish it. The other reason has to
do with the huge brown trout that exist in the
river. Fish from twenty to thirty inches long
are not uncommon. They are used to eating
large baitfish. This method requires a lot of
cast and plain work but it can be very
effective. Just don't expect a fish every few
minutes. When you do catch one, it most
likely will be a good one.
The best conditions for a drift boat trip is
when they are running one generator. You
can occasionally catch trout on a dry fly
provided a hatch is occurring when one is
running but most often, you will need to fish
subsurface. It is also possible to catch a trout
on a dry fly midge imitation. It depends on the
water levels and flow conditions and of
course, the hatch.
Most of the time you will be better off fishing a
midge larva or pupa imitation. If you notice
any midges hatching, go to the midge pupa
imitation. If you don't, fish a midge larva
imitation. We prefer to fish either of them
without a strike indicator, but they do work
fairly well on the Clinch. You should add a
small amount of split shot above the larva
imitation and adjust the indicator depending
on the depth and speed of the water.
Don't forget streamer flies. They work great,
especially when the water is running high and
fast, or when it is off-color from heavy rain.
Double or tandem rigs are popular on the
Clinch. Some anglers fish a larger mayfly
nymph and a small midge larva or pupa
together. Others fish two midge flies a few
inches apart, both a midge larva and a pupa
imitation. We don't prefer these multiple rigs
but they do catch trout.
If you haven't done so already, please give
our "Perfect Flies" a try. We feel sure you will
find them to be very effective on the Clinch
tailwater. Our Sulphur imitations work great on this river.r.