- (252) 945-9715
- RICHARD@TARPAMGUIDE.COM
The Clinch has been coined by Virginia DWR as “the crown jewel of the mountain empire”. It originates near the town of Tazewell, Virginia and flows southwesterly approximately 135 miles through Tazewell, Russell, Wise, and Scott Counties before flowing into Tennessee and emptying into Norris Lake. The upper Clinch looks much like a large trout stream, more rugged, cutting through a gorge in Russell County. The lower sections near the Tennessee line have a variety of rapids and shoals as well as long pools. Both produce quality smallmouth.
What makes the Clinch unique is its biology. The river is home to approximately 50 species of freshwater mussels, more than any other river in the world, over 20 of them federally listed as threatened or endangered. It also supports over 100 species of non-game fish, including minnows and darters, which serve as an abundant food source for larger gamefish such as smallmouth bass, walleye, sauger, and musky. The Clinch is also home to the Eastern Hellbender, a unique aquatic salamander and the largest in North America.
That diversity of forage translates directly to fishing quality. The smallmouth here are well-fed, aggressive, and healthy. The varied river structure gives you different water to fish every mile of the floa
You’ll spend 7 to 8 hours on the water, floating several miles of river in our Flycraft raft while Capt. Richard rows and positions you for the best casts. The Clinch runs through rural Southwest Virginia with very little development along the banks. On most floats you won’t see another person on the water.
The two distinct characters of the river, the rugged upper sections and the more open lower stretches with rapids, shoals, and long pools, mean the Clinch offers some of the most varied water we fish. Every mile looks different and every mile holds fish.
The majority of the fish we catch are in the 10 to 17 inch range. Fish over 18 inches show up regularly, and 20-inch trophy fish are always possible. A 20-inch river smallmouth might be 20 years old. Two decades is a long time living in a river and surviving many droughts, floods, and other dramatic changes in their habitat. The abundance of forage in the Clinch produces some of the best-conditioned smallmouth we catch all season.
The Clinch also hosts walleye, sauger, rock bass, and the occasional musky.
Most fish we catch are 10 to 17 inches. Fish over 18 inches appear often, and 20-inch trophies are possible. A 20-inch smallmouth could be 20 years old, surviving many of nature’s ups and downs. The Clinch is known for size and numbers, with strong, well-conditioned fish.
Choose from full-day float trips or multi-day fishing packages with lodging on Southwest Virginia’s premier smallmouth rivers.
It depends on conditions. Capt. Richard chooses the best river each day based on flows, weather, and where the fishing has been strongest. The Powell is one of three primary options and he will always put you on the best water available.
The Clinch is one of the most biologically diverse rivers in the world. That diversity of forage, over 100 species of non-game fish alongside crayfish and insect life, produces well-fed, aggressive, healthy smallmouth. There is simply more food in this river than almost anywhere else.
Very. The diverse structure and clear water make for excellent sight fishing and topwater fly fishing in mid-summer. The Clinch has a strong fly fishing tradition and the varied structure gives fly anglers a different look around every bend.
No. The river runs through rural Southwest Virginia with very little development along the banks. On most floats you won’t see another person on the water.
Our season runs April through August. Prime weekends fill early. Give us a call to lock in your dates.
