SUFFOLK & WAVENEY VALLEY: There were more smiles at the waterside this week with most still waters coming back to life and all species of fish returning to feeding. Carp in the 1-2lb bracket have remained a little lethargic, most noticeable by the speed in which they move off after taking the bait.

There were more smiles at the waterside this week with most still waters coming back to life and all species of fish returning to feeding.

Carp in the 1-2lb bracket have remained a little lethargic, most noticeable by the speed in which they move off after taking the bait.

Slow positive bites are followed by slow steamroller starts before, having seemingly become aware of that have been hooked, they chug off with more vigour.

Given a minute, the struggle has been on with fine fat fish looking unaffected by their semi-comatose lay-off from feeding.

Good catches of quality roach and carp to 9lb, came from the ever-versatile Kidney Pit at Broome and visitors to Marsh Trail Lakes found fish feeding close in on all three lakes.

On Sunday, March 14, the last day of the rapidly approaching end of the river fishing season, Marsh Trail Lakes are holding an entrance free pike match. The draw is at 9am and fishing from 10am to 3pm.

This event may well throw up either of the two 20lb plus fish previously caught in B Pit from the deep side and stocks should not be underestimated in A Pit either.

Some anglers are hoping to enter this just as an extra rod while they fish normally alongside, hoping their attentions to feeding silver fish will in turn draw the pike into their swims. Contact Richard on 07796 437381 for further details or see the poster displayed at the venue.

The river is in a turbulent spate with greatly increased colour and flow, remaining a notable miss from above Boaters Hill Beccles to Diss.

Addicts tried the Off-Cut and Backwater sections, like Wainford Maltings for the Bungay Cherry Tree AC. Along the other lengths where they could be found, or more importantly accessed, they produced a few fish.

With predators of all shapes, species and definitions highly active the shoals are scheduled to remain tight for the last couple of weeks, with fish staying close together for any possible uplift in temperatures and an early spawning.

This year it has been a rarity to find any species with spawning nodules on their heads or even detect the roughness in the hand of the dace's flesh, as one usually notes in early March.

As the season for annual meetings approaches several clubs are keen to point out that items for their agendas often have to be submitted in writing beforehand to their committee.

Whether affecting retaining or relinquishing waters, affiliating or disaffiliating to the Angling Trust, serious issues over coaching, or fish stocking potential policy changes have to be published in time for amendments to be considered by the membership.