Burgh Castle monster a personal best for Nathan

A keen Yarmouth angler has reeled in a monster 36lb common carp from the popular Burgh Castle fishery.

Nathan Payne, who works at the Pownall's tackle shop in Regent Road, tempted his personal best catch on a boilie baiting a size six hook to 14lb breaking strain line.

It was his personal best fish and one of five in a haul that included another of 27lb.

"It was a cracking fish and I had her in the landing net after about 10 minutes. In fact, the 27 pounder put up more of a fight, lasting twenty minutes," recalled the delighted 30-year-old. Formally known as Green's Pits, the present occupier Darren Squires has built the complex into a high standard fishery that offers top class facilities to big fish hunters as well as catering for angling clubs.

"There is something here for everyone, it is a fantastic fishery," Nathan declared.

The Taswood fishery at Flordon is also on form, the heaviest specimen of the week a 34lb 6oz common for Caister on Sea's permit holder Jason Stamp. Kevin Wyatt of Norwich bagged one of 32lb 13oz and Chris Browne of Horsford another scaling 31lb 2oz. Other Taswood fish in the twenties fell to Tom and Oliver Hutt of Costessey, Matt Connor of Dereham, Heidi Long of Oulton Broad, Kevin Smith of Brundall and Darren Stamp of Caister.

Suffolk carp specialist Paul Nicholson was top rod at Swangey Lakes with a 33lb 4oz mirror. Other mirrors and commons in the low to mid twenties were netted by Norwich rods Craig Howe, Mark Symthe and Chris Moore. Others fell to Chris Matthews, Poringland and Attleborough's Andrew Day and Luke Mitchell.

The Kingfisher Lake at Lyng gave up a 30lb 9oz common carp for Ian Cooke of Watton with mirrors in the twenties for Stu Davison of Buxton and Chris Birdman of Caister.

Andrew Green of Mattishall bagged a 27lb 2oz common carp at Wood Rising Lake, where quality roach are also showing for float anglers. Gorleston regulars Scott Bracewell and Richard Elliott between them shared a catch of 17 double figure mirror and common carp to 21lb and a bonus 8lb 13oz tench.

River match anglers were this morning preparing for the first open contest of the new season on the tidal reaches of the River Yare, where Keith Ford was staging his traditional opener for allcomers along the Beachamp Arms stretch.

Yesterday the river appeared in fine fettle, actually too fine and clear for the bream to feed freely on an ebb tide. However, with a flood tide forecast and likely to put a tinge of colour in the water, there were hopes of mixed catches up to the 30lb mark.

On the tidal reaches of the Bure and Thurne roach and bream were seen topping when the light was fading and on Ranworth Broad huge bream were spotted on the surface yesterday.

On the commercial lakes at the weekend the first Ray Bircham Memorial event at the Barford fishery raised �450 for Cancer Research, the winner Mike Whittaker (Daiwa AD) with 89lb 4oz.

The second round of the Suffolk league for teams of five staged on the Suffolk Water Park ended with Latham's/Fox Match leaping up the table into joint top spot with Lewis/ Anglers World. Latham's were top on the day with 20 penalty points followed by Sensas Big Hits on 22 and Preston Innovations on 24.

The Head Fen Spring League penultimate round left Blue Boys in front thanks to Allan Archer's top catch of 111lb that boosted the league leaders to 12 penalty points and one league point ahead of Anglers World.

The exciting pairs tournament at Cobbleacre was a spectacular triumph for Norfolk's Nathan and Adam Highley, who raced away with the top prize for their joint haul of 191lb 14oz.

On the club scene the Norwich Zenith visited Holly Farm, South Walsham with the top three all making treble figures, headed by Dave Ramsbottom with 147lbs. Chris Watker headed the Costessey Crown at Barford with 129lb 1oz, Mick Mirgaux was top veteran at Haddiscoe with 104lb 5oz and M Wiles headed the Attleborough card at Hinderclay with 106lb 8oz.