Fishing Forum

We drifted the Clinch River on Saturday. The water temp. was 50 degrees. We arrived at 10:00 am to one generator being turned on. At 1:00 pm, a second generator was to be turned on. <br /><br />We got totally skunked on this trip. emoBang I had a few hits, but couldn't hook up. John had the same. The fish seemed to be very tight lipped. <br /><br />We tried #20 Zebra Midges, #20 Flash Pheasant tails, #22 WD-40's, #20 Sparkle nymphs, #18 Scuds and #20 Turn Signals. The small nymphs weren't working, so we went to #12 San Juan worms, #10 Stones, and #12 Hare's Ear. Nothing.<br /><br />We put on sink tips and began throwing EVERY type of streamer in our boxes. I had a couple of bumps on a #10 Bead Head Leech, but that was it.<br /><br />The wind was really bad all day long. Gusts over 25 mph. We were pulling at the oars all day just to try to keep some position in the river. The temp dropped all day and around 1:00 pm, we had to put on wading jackets, gloves, and watch caps. The water was really fast, but manageable. It was still very clear even with 2 generators running. <br /><br />The access was really great with 2 ramps to put in and take out. Very easy access for a drift boat (for a change). We saw one other drift boat (a local guide with client) and didn't see anyone for the rest of the day. <br /><br />This was our first time fishing this river, and we didn't see a lot of fish following our flies. There are fish there, but we just couldn't figure out any pattern. We threw almost everything in our fly boxes at them.<br /><br />We were fishing a big front, and I don't know if that had anything to do with our lack of success or not. It got really windy and really cold out there.<br /><br />We had a great time. The leaves are starting to turn, and the river is very pretty. I am not writing off the Clinch yet.<br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />-Rob<br /><br />