Born in Warrenton Va, Norris was a Prolific writer and manufacturer of fly rods and flies.

His book "The American Angler's Book", published in 1864 is considered to be one of the first fly fishing classics written in America. One of his favorite pools was "Junction Pool" where the Beaver Kill and the Willowemoc come together in the town of Roscoe, New York. His American Angler's Book gave instruction on everything from rod making to fishing techniques.