Time and tide waits for no man.

This ancient adage was uppermost in the minds of top match anglers competing on a fickle River Yare at the weekend.

And, as the starting signal sounded for Saturday's fifth round of the Nisa Feeder League, half the field was gripped by indecision.

Was the slow flood tide more suitable for roach on the float or bream on the feeder?

Billy Hughes (Bait Tech), who drew the coveted bream peg 147, had no doubts.

The 71-year-old former tool maker and point-to-point horse trainer from Palgrave, Suffolk, takes up the story: 'I am a roach angler by nature but I threw caution to the wind and went for the bream that almost always show on 147.

'My first fish on the worm feeder was a four-pounder and sizeable skimmers boosted my total to a very satisfactory 26lb 4oz winner.

'I have always been a river man and, after a 15-year break from the sport, I am delighted I returned to compete again on the Yare, now rated one of the fairest natural venues in the whole country.'

By contrast, Cambridgeshire's four-times world champion Bob Nudd (Browning), decided to fish for roach at peg 44 and was runner-up with 23lb 4oz, then Paul Abbott (Deben) 22lb 4oz from 145.

This tricky situation existed 24 hours later at the popular Preston Innovations Feeder Masters qualifier with a fierce flood tide in progress.

Will Freeman, 44, Preston Innovations' 2014 All England Champion, adapted his feeder rig to tempt 21lb 2oz of roach to win £230 and make the final on Bough Beach Reservoir in Kent on September 23/24.

'I drew peg 105, and fished close for roach on a tiny feeder,' explained the Framlingham consultant.

Paul Hudson (Deben) who obtained a spare ticket from Mick Hanks who qualified a week earlier, made it with 20lb 2oz of skimmer bream off 107 and Kevin Rowles (Devizes) was third qualifier with 13lb 4oz.

The competition organiser, Mick Vials, said: 'This river is a superb, well run venue and I have already booked it for a next season qualifier.'

Norfolk anglers qualify for Angling Trust British Waterways final

Three of Norfolk's top still-water match anglers have qualified for the Angling Trust British Waterways final on Northamptonshire's 65-acre Boddington Reservoir on August 6.

Lee Carver, of Norwich, won his section with just over 53lb, Rick Broadway, Reepham Fishery, made it with a section second of 73lb 12oz and UG's Graham Dashwood succeeded with 12lb in a low turn-out.

So, have our Norfolk finalists any chance of pocketing the five figure prize?

'With a fancied peg we can win the money,' said Carver.

Now, fancy yourself as a top caster?

Then enter a competition staged by Top Baiter at Cobble acre Fishery, Brick Kiln Road, Hevingham on July 29, 10am start.

Norfolk world casting champion Colin Howlett will be in charge and fishing tackle provided.

In addition Top Baiter experts will be explaining their new delivery system, and it's all free of charge. Full details from Bob Anderson (07879 816181).

Mulbarton angler reigns supreme

Kevin Clarke, Mulbarton match man supreme, extended his winning streak with 197lb 4oz at Wicklewood, and a 113lb 9oz/177lb 8oz double at Mill Farm.

Dave Bates (Match floats) scored 144lb 8oz at Bridge Farm, Jack Gill (Angling Direct) netted 109lb at The Willow and Ian Price (visitor) 126lb at Reepham.

At Cross Drove, Richard Bond (Matrix) scored 151lb 14oz and Simon Parker (DAD) 108lb 8oz.

Among the clubs, Ray Thurston topped Zenith with 213lb at Bergh Apton and Jonathan Read came out on top with 114lb after their visit to Colton.

Topcroft Veteran winner was Mick Norman with 123lb 6oz, Steve Pooley was Wicklewood's best with 160lb 11oz; Mark Seaman topped Stalham with 103lb 6oz at Bartle's Lodge, Keith Green AMG winner with 110lb 12oz at Wicklewood.

The two legs of Codgers' charity effort at Barford ended with Tony Wright, 151lb 10z, and Barry Brooks, 118lb 7oz.