John Norris - the Fishing Equipment and Clothing Retailer

Fly Fishing Beginner

2009-02-06T15:58:00.006Z

If you’re new to fly fishing, and keen to get involved in this ever-more popular sport, then the world of overhead casts, lightweight rods and the many different knots can be quite confusing, So what are the basics surrounding fly fishing, and how easy is it for beginners to pick up a rod and have a go?

At its most simple, fly fishing involves a rod, a fly line, a ‘fly’ and one or more fish – the aim being to catch the fish by casting the fly into the water. These ‘flies’ are artificial pieces of material, such as plastic or textile, constructed to closely resemble the natural prey of that particular fish to tempt it into biting the end of the line. There are many thousands of different types of fly to choose from, allowing keen fishermen to choose with precision the best fly for attracting a particular species or variety of fish.

Similarly, there are also many hundreds of different rods which can be used, including those produced by Greys and Sage, two of the biggest names in the sport. If you’re a beginner in fly fishing, this choice can seem overwhelming, but it’s important to bear three important factors in mind: the rod’s weight, its length and the action it gives. Most people, if new to the sport, should use a graphite rod; these are lightweight, flexible and make it easier to cast the fly more consistently. Each rod, because of the relative lightness of the fly, is weighted at the tip to make it easier to cast, with the heavier rods used to catch the larger fish. For most beginners, a fly fishing rod with a weight somewhere in the middle of those available should be more than adequate.

You then need to tie the fly to the end of your line, making sure that the knot is tight and able to stand up to the strains of a thrashing fish. It is important that this is done well, as it is the biggest potential ‘weak spot’ in the whole process. Remember when tying your knot to first lubricate the line to reduce friction and ensure it holds properly - this can be done with either saliva or water; and then tie the knot using a continuous motion before testing it by pulling hard on both ends. These ends should then be trimmed as close to the knot as possible, preferably by using a specialised tool to ensure it holds fast.

Once this is done, you’re ready to cast your fly. This is perhaps the most fundamental part of the sport, with those who cast their fly in the right spot, and in the right way, more likely to make their catch. There are two main ways to do this; the overhead cast, where the fly is lifted off the water, brought behind you over your head and then back again, and the roll cast, which involves lifting the rod off the water till it is vertical and casting it firmly forward towards where you want to place it.

Although the massive range of fishing equipment available gives the sport plenty of variety, the basic principles of fly fishing are actually rather straightforward. It is important to remember the value of regular practise, and gaining a greater familiarity with the best techniques to land the fish you want.

Fishing Rods

2009-01-28T16:16:00.004Z

Let's go back to basics, which may not be necessary for everyone reading this article but I thought it may help some of you.

A type of fishing equipment that you can’t do without is a fishing rod. As you will probably know a fishing rod is the main piece of fishing equipment that you must have in order to catch a fish. You will also need a good fishing reel to go with your fishing rod. Once you find a reel to match up with your rod you will have a good combination set up to a catch fish.

You can find rods made from a number of materials such as fiberglass, graphite and even bamboo. A fishing rod may also be referred to as a fishing pole by some people, which is just another name for a fishing rod. A fishing line must be attached to your rod in order to catch fish. Everything must go together correctly when setting up a rod so that you can have a successful fishing trip.

There are many types of fishing rods on the market today. You can find rods for fishing at a variety of fishing stores and tackle shops and online. As mentioned above, fishing rods can be made from a number of different materials. Depending on where you are going fishing and the type of fish you are going to be catching you may choose a light, medium or heavy weight fishing rod. Lightweight fishing rods work best for catching small fish. If you choose a medium weight rod to fish with you may catch both small and large fish with this rod. A heavy weight rod will be good to catch very large fish. Most fishing rods have their own specifications that will help you to know if you are choosing the right rod for the type of fishing that you will be doing.

When you go to choose some fishing rods for your fishing trip pick the out the rods that would work best for the type of fish you will be fishing for. For example if you are trying to catch small pan fish a lightweight rod is best. But if you want to go deep sea fishing or are just planning to catch a very large fish you should always have a heavy weight rod with you for this type of fishing. If you are uncertain of what type of fish you will be catching take a medium weight rod along with you. Fishing rods are a type of fishing equipment that we love to shop for because of all the selection that we have now days.

Fly Fishing Shop

2008-12-11T15:58:00.003Z

Get Prepared in a Fly Fishing Shop

Fly fishing is a great sport that more and more anglers are taking advantage of. Once you experience fly fishing for the first time, you will want to go out again as soon as possible. This technique is similar to other methods of fishing in some ways. For instance, you can go alone or with friends and you have the opportunity to enjoy the fresh air and beautiful scenery that being outside has to offer. However, fly fishing requires that you have a variety of items that you don’t need with other fishing methods.

It is for this reason that you need to get prepared in a fly fishing shop before you set out for your fishing adventure. You will find many great products in these shops that will enhance all of your fishing trips and make each one something to remember. It’s the one place that all experienced anglers go when searching for that special piece of gear because they know that’s the best place to find it. Regular fishing shops won’t have all the special gear that is required for fly fishing.

You will need a fly fishing rod and reel to get started along with a variety of flies. The fly is a special type of lure that is designed from both natural and man-made materials. These are made to resemble insects and other natural foods. There are two types of flies referred to as the “dry” and “wet” fly. The dry fly is used to dance along the top of the water and the wet fly is submerged underneath the water. Without these you can’t enjoy this wonderful way to fish.

Fly fishing requires a special fly fishing line because when you make your cast the fly is actually too light to make it to the strike zone. That is why fly fishing line is designed to be heavier than regular line. It will help carry the fly to its destination. You can also pick up some much needed accessories such as waders and wading boots, fishing hat, waterproof pants, rain-gear, fishing vest and jackets to name a few when visiting these shops. When you go fly fishing your apparel is very important and it can help you have a pleasant experience.

Take the time to check out a few fly fishing shops before you go out on the water to discover all the great items they have to offer. You will need the right equipment to get the most out of your fly fishing experiences and these shops will have what you need. You can even pick up some reading material that will help increase your knowledge and improve your fly fishing skills.

Welcome to the John Norris Blog

2008-09-22T10:58:00.001+01:00

Welcome to the John Norris blog. Here we will keep you up to date with the goings on of the official John Norris site including any new fishing products added to the site, any new clothing brands they start selling and any news they release.

For those of you who don't know, John Norris has been supplying customers with high quality fishing equipment and tackle. The site also sells a wide variety of clothing from leading brands such as Barbour, Greys, Musto, Hunters and more.