Monday

Sean Bennett caught a 6lb Salmon on the Priest Pool on a Golden Willie Gunn, Sage 15ft Z-Axis fly rod, and an old System II 10/11 reel.

I got a 5lb cock fish on the Downie Beat, using a 1” Cascade Tube, 14ft Loop Opti Power spey rod and a Hardy Demon 9000 Reel and a Fly line Rio AFS Shooting Head Clear Intermediate.

5lb Salmon Caught by James Norris

Tuesday

The only fish caught today was 6lb, caught by one of the ladies in the group fishing, well done Liz.

Wednesday

Michael Buckman on his second cast hooked a 13lb Salmon, it was released back into the River.  This Fish was caught on the Home Beat on a 1” Cascade Tube, 14ft Loop Opti Power spey rod, Hardy Demon 9000 Reel. This was the second Salmon that Michael has been lucky enough to catch, well done.

13lb Salmon caught by Michael Buckman

Michael Buckman also landed a 6lb Salmon using the same Fly/Rod/Reel combination on the same beat some 20 minutes later.

6lb Salmon Caught by Michael Buckman

Thursday

I was delighted to be there to watch Edward Bennet, only 12 years old, catch his first ever Salmon, a beautiful 6lb fish.  He caught it using a Golden Willie Gunn size 11  on the Downie Beat.  Look at his smile, it’s so great to see young fisherman getting their first catch and hopefully getting hooked on the sport.

6lb Salmon Caught by Edward Bennet

I couldn’t understand where a lot of my Salmon flies had disappeared to………..Ben!!!!

Ben Wearing my Salmon Flies

Little Ben Jackson thought they looked better on his new fleece than in my fly box.

Friday

Michael Buckman had a 5lb and 6lb Salmon both on a Golden Willie Gunn he was top rod for the week with 4 fish in total. Michael was very impressed with his new Guideline Dee waders they kept him dry and cool all week as the weather was very warm.

5lb Salmon Caught by Michael Buckman

Here’s what you need to think about.

1. Fishing rod
Your fishing rod is probably the most important item of fishing tackle, and so you’ll want to get it right. Whether you’re fishing in a lake, or river, or looking for a budget, or premium fishing rod, you’ll want to make sure that you get it right first time.

2. Fishing line
Your fishing line needs to be capable of holding the fish that you’ll be catching so you should always purchase a high quality line from a leading brand.

3. Fishing reel
Your fishing reel doesn’t have to be the most expensive, the most advanced or the lightest, but it does have to work well. If your fishing reel isn’t as good as it used to be, or you’re setting up a different rod, why not buy a new reel too?

4. Fishing flies
The rest of your fishing tackle is useless without the right fishing flies. You’ll want to make sure that you have the right sort of flies for the fish you’re catching, where you’re fishing and the time of year. Why not have a go at fly tying too?

5. Brands
You might already have some fishing brands in mind. Here at John Norris we stock the leading brands, including Hardy, Greys, Sage, Abu Garcia, Daiwa, Loop, Scott Mackenzie, Shakespeare fishing rods and reels, Cortland, Rio and Scientific Anglers Lines, and clothing from Barbour, Snowbee, Simms and more.

6. Fishing clothing
Staying warm and dry is important, as you’ll be outside for a long time. If your jacket isn’t waterproof, or your hands always get cold, perhaps now is the time to buy some better fishing clothing.

7. Fishing boots
You’ll need to make sure that you don’t slip on the wet banks, so having the right footwear is important. You might go for wellington boots, fishing boots, or waders.

8. Fishing box
Keeping the small items of your fishing safe and well organised in a fishing box is recommended, so that you don’t lose things, and so that you always know where they are when you need them.

9. Fishing bag
A fishing bag helps to keep your fishing tackle together, so that you’re not hunting round the house for things, or worse, likely to forget something important when you go fishing.

10. Value for money
No matter what items of fishing tackle you need, you’ll want to get the right product at the right price. No matter whether you’re new to fishing and looking at a budget fishing reel, or an experienced angler looking for the latest high end fishing rod, you’ll want to know that you’re getting value for money. Here at John Norris, we’ve got many years experience, and fantastic products, and the knowledge to help you to buy the fishing tackle you need.

Find out more by browsing our fishing tackle section, or by calling us on 01768 864211 today.

Here are some of the things you’ll need to think about if you’re going to buy new fishing flies.

1. What for
You’ll want to use the most appropriate flies, so you’ll need to know what you’re fishing for. You’re unlikely to catch anything if your flies don’t appeal to the fish.

2. Time of year
Insects are different sizes during the year, and so you’ll need to be aware of what size your fishing flies need to be in order to be convincing. In addition, you’ll need to think about weather conditions and temperature too.

3. Where
Where you fish can affect what fishing flies you need. Fishing in a quiet reservoir is not the same as fishing in a fast flowing river.

4. Dry Flies
Dry flies are a popular choice with many anglers as the flies are designed to sit on top of the water. Dry flies are often described as ‘deceivers’ as they are designed to imitate particular flies. Dry files are essential in your fishing tackle bag.

5. Wet Flies
Wet flies are fished just below the surface and so need to be attractive to the trout you’re fishing for.

6. Salmon Flies
With many types of salmon fly available, it can be hard to know where to start. Fortunately, we’ve got plenty of different flies to choose from, and help is only an email or phone call away.

7. Prepared
As you can’t always predict the weather, or guess what will interest the fish, you’ll need to have a wide variety of fishing flies, so that you’re prepared for anything.

8. Knowledge
As you become more experienced, you’ll be able to match your flies with the conditions and the fish. You’ll be able to improve, and catch more fish, if you know why the fishing fly you’re using is working.

9. Fly tying
If you’re feeling adventurous, then why not have a go at fly tying? This will give you the opportunity to design and create your own flies. You’ll soon develop a better understanding of fish and flies, and become a better angler too.

10. Value for money
No matter whether you’re looking for the perfect fishing fly, or want to start fly tying yourself, you’ll want to get value for money. Here at John Norris, we’ve got everything you need to help you catch more fish, from flies, to fishing rods, fishing clothing and more.

If you can’t find what you’re looking for, or want some advice, why not call us on 01768 864211 today? We’re all experienced anglers and will be happy to help.

Yes - they are often very artificial and can also be some what twee, but they can offer good sport.

Sometimes the small waters are somewhat overstocked and often you can cover every inch of the water, but you can lay down your own rules to make the fishing more difficult and also more stimulating. You might decide to fish only with a floating line, or with only small imitive pattern flies and no big lures. You might even limit yourself to just dry flies once you have got the first brace. You can even make a personnel rule not to stick in a known hot-spot and to move after every fish caught. If the water is clear you might decide to stalk fish, so giving yourself the opportunity to select particular fish or fish of a particular large size. All these ’self inflicted’ rules, are designed to spread your sport over a longer day rather than catching your limit within a few hours. You also get the added buzz of probable having fished in an altogether different way to the other rods fishing alongside you.

Small waters give the older or less fit angler’ the chance to fish. They are also great starting grounds for newcomers who are still learning to cast. You can also make good catches despite your lack of knowledge about fishing flies and fly life. Also you can often find a good still water fishery close to your home, without the need for a long drive. Do not dismiss small water just because they are ‘put and take’. Set your own rules to make it as difficult as you want - then enjoy the day, coupled with a good picnic, and have a good fish to take home.

Good fishing

Barrie Welham
Field Sports Ambassador
The Orvis Company