The belief that Norfolk's prolific River Wensum is poised to produce a record-breaking 20lb-plus barbel within the next two years has been boosted by the capture of a hefty 18lb 6oz beauty from the upper reaches near Lyng.

The belief that Norfolk's prolific River Wensum is poised to produce a record-breaking 20lb-plus barbel within the next two years has been boosted by the capture of a hefty 18lb 6oz beauty from the upper reaches near Lyng.

Norwich big fish specialist Chris Turnbull, a founder member of the Norfolk Anglers Conservation Association which controls the Sayer's Meadow stretch, caught the fish after tempting it with a blood and orange-flavoured boillie.

During the same session he paired it with another scaling 16lb 14oz, one of the best doubles of the species ever reported from any water in the country.

The man who played a major role in stocking the River Wensum with barbel told the Angling Times: “These fish are testimony to NACA's ongoing success story in creating prime barbel fishing on the River Wensum. I've watched these fish grow since 1991 and to catch a brace like this is the icing on the cake.”

Although Sayer's Meadow is available only to NACA members, there are a number of other Wensum venues available on day tickets where giant barbel have been spotted and caught to over 17lb.

Two examples are the Lenwade Mill Reach, where day tickets are available from the Bridge pub, and Taverham Mil, where permits are sold from the fishery lodge.

On the main broads, quality bream continued to feed in abundance and Hickling specialist Gordon Clarke has reeled in several three-figure nets during evening sessions, plus loads of skimmers and roach during the day.

He enjoyed similar sport last week on the River Thurne at Martham, where he bagged nearly a dozen bream to 7lb in two hours.

On the carp lakes, Jonathan Trett of Weston Longville was top of the range at the Lyng Kingfisher Lake, where he banked a total of seven mirrors from 19lb to 32lb.

At Taswood, a large number of carp over 20lb were netted, the best a Heron Lake record ghostie of 32lb 5oz for Norwich regular Harry Ramsbottom.

Swangey Lakes' best fish was a 28lb 2oz mirror for Ian Lamb of Norwich and other successes were specimens in the mid-20s to Glen Hale of Norwich, Andrew Punton (Wisbech) and Diss rods Paul Philips and Craig Rowland.

At Waveney Valley, the top catch was five 20lb mirrors for Peter Camp of Needham while at Wood Rising Norfolk rod Ryan Day had the top common carp at 26lb 6oz.

Fourteen-year-old Diss visitor James Green netted nine specimens, headed by a 22lb 2oz common, and Andrew Symonds of Norwich had a surprise 2lb perch.