SUFFOLK & WAVENEY VALLEY: It has been 'all action - all systems go', for the real start of the commercial bean feast. There have been plenty of good fish caught and the carp are zooming back into popularity as they gorge on almost anything presented to them, as long as it is pinned to the bottom, even without a hair rig.

It has been 'all action - all systems go', for the real start of the commercial bean feast.

There have been plenty of good fish caught and the carp are zooming back into popularity as they gorge on almost anything presented to them, as long as it is pinned to the bottom, even without a hair rig.

Banded pellets have begun to take the fish with more quality about them, but as yet anything floating on the surface remains almost ignored. Worms have brought a variety to the bags with some good old stripeys banging the float down, which are now present at 2lbs in a great deal of fisheries.

Several of those caught have had the first signs of milt in the hand. As far as the silver fish go, at last the spawning follicles have started to appear on the heads of bream and the roach should not be far behind.

Early out on the track are the chunky small tench which bred in Nigel Bale's Ellingham Nursery fishery during the last two years and these strong, fleshy fish, often 10 ounces to the pound, feel strong and fit in the hand with every fin perfect and the small orange eye unblinking in the sun. Broome Pits had seven pike fall to one set of rods in B Pit and in the central Kidney Pit best bags comprised two or three tench to 4lbs alongside three or four carp of between 6lbs and 9lbs, but this week only the small roach obliged.

The Marsh Trail pike match turned up 11 fish from A Pit, with juniors doing very well in the prize list. Winner Jai Brabben took five pike for 25lb 7oz with the keen young Wingrove Sisters taking fourth and fifth places.

Harleston, Wortwell & District AC's Last Chance Open takes place in their Middle Pit on Sunday. Contact Nigel Poll on 01379 853571 for further details and booking.

Catches there have been good, with double figure carp creeping into the picture and the long-tailed crucian/brown gold fish cross hybrids, cracking fish of around 2lb giving an unusual twist to the outing.

The club closes its waters on March 31 and does not re-open until June 1.

Bungay Cherry Tree AC have both the Common Pond and their Layby Pit open during the old closed season, but the Ditchingham Club Pit may be undergoing some major development.