Clinch/Norris Fishing Tips

[DSchlact]

Hey - I am pretty new to the forum.  Been "browsing" for a few months now and I think this is my first time posting.

I am a Middle Tennessee (Murfreesboro) guy - do most of my fishing from my Gheenoe on the Stones River.

We are taking a trip out to E Tennessee to spend some time with my Dad and brothers and will be renting a place on Norris Lake.  Looks like the bass fishing might be picking up a bit with the cooler temps, but I was hoping someone could give me some tips for fishing that area.

I will NOT have the Gheenoe with us for the trip...so we will probably be limited to bank fishing on the Clinch.  We usually rent a pontoon boat and do a little bass fishing on Norris.

We will have 8 guys and the focus of the trip is spending time together, so getting in canoes/drift boats is not an option as it would split us all up for the day.

Anyone have any tips for us?  Is the fall drawdown on Norris going to make fishing below the dam any good or should we just stay on the lake and fish for bass?

Thanks for helping the new guy...

Dave

[TWiles]

Check the generation schedules at www.tva.gov or call the number 1800-238-5564 to get water release info.  From my experience, wade fishing on the Clinch may be your only shot.  Casting from the bank may not be a wise choice unless your casting bait. The river channel is very wide and quite shallow, so you have to get in to chase them.  If you're going to wade, the stretch around Clinton would be your best bet.  More than likely the flows will be high.

I'd probably stick to the bass, and try for some topwater on the cool, clear mornings.  Good luck

[DSchlact]

Ok - took your advice and stayed up on Norris.  This year we actually decided to do without the pontoon rental and just spent the whole weekend at the lakehouse.  This was one of the most relaxing "guys" trips in the 11 years we have been doing this!  Caught my first bronzebacks ever and am immediately addicted to targeting this species.  I have been nothing but a largemouth bass fisherman up until now...but after catching 3 smallmouth I can tell you I am HUNGRY to catch more of these beautiful fish.  Here are a couple of hero shots...all were caught (and released) on some variation of a plastic worm.  A couple on Senko worms and the other on a zoom curly tail:













Thanks again for the input!
Dave

[Bfish]

plenty of smallies in the stones. I am surprised you have not caught any yet.

[Steve H]

Very nice! Sounds like a great trip and glad you had a good time.