It’s still very hard going

WAVENEY VALLEY: There was much disappointment this week when the rise in temperatures failed to trigger off big bags in most of the still waters locally, and the weekend rainfall soon brought the river temperatures down accompanied by an optimistic colour and a pacey flow.

Unfortunately Sunday saw the excess spilling over on to the Marshes from Homersfield to Earsham with all the signs of fishing becoming impractical for a few days.

Some quality roach fed on the red maggot in the out of the way places, but were hard to get feeding in any established pattern coming and going in spurts of maybe two fish and the half hour void.

Dusk saw the smaller fish keener to oblige on the tidal water as flow was more controlled by the tidal influence.

With just a couple of weeks on the river left now the ever-popular Beccles Quay continued to oblige, bringing schoolboys on holiday from lessons great glee this week as stripey perch and greedy ruffe set about red maggots offered them.

Among the still waters Aldeby Hall has zoomed in as a popular venue with the bottom match orientated lake with skimmers doing well.

Bales Nursery Fishery continued to shine with its gleaming rudd having a ravenous late in the day spell and the start of its smaller tench around the pound mark making an appearance.

Way up on the hill at Weybread Fishery the power of the pellet keeps drawing in the bream, with many over 2lb now beginning to lose their 'skimmer' tab.

Topcroft Fishery on the Hempnall radar started to warm up well on the far end from the car park and the feeder rod soon had the tip well bent round as 3 to 6lb carp started to get in the right mood.

With a couple of bags nearing 40lbs this open and easy access water looks well set for a successful season and good returns.

No National Team entry for Bungay Cherry Tree AC this year on the canal venue as their committee decided they would not be renewing their affiliation to the Angling Trust in March.