Plenty of colour and flow upped the catch rate on both the upper River and the tidal reaches with Beccles at its best again.

Small out-of-the way swims at the Scores were sheltered and productive with the one near to the Church, where free parking is often available on the roadside, gave up nearly 100lb of bream between 4lb and 7lb. In fine condition they were happy to take bunches of red maggots lobbed out to the deep central run on the groundbait feeder offered by Lowestoft's Andy Walker.

Fishing starts tomorrow November at the Beccles Quay Marina and early indications are that roach up to 3oz have moved in.

Yare Angling admin supremo Andy Suter-Wilson informs us fishing is permitted on the Norfolk Bank but it is not let out for match bookings. This is largely due to complications over the footpath right of way that side, and, unfortunately, the historic position of a few selfish anglers who insist on blocking passage with long poles shipped back.

Normal fishing is permitted, albeit like the Suffolk side, swim availability is down to a meagre allowance. The officially 11 Suffolk bank nominated places are a serious decline on the extremely popular facilities that used to exist and are a further demonstration of just how low angling is prioritised in Beccles as a tourist attraction or facility.

Angling's popularity progresses well when one looks at the ladies' participation rating these days, and getting towards the top alongside the English International Team of these, is Gipping Club's Abby Brewster, who has progressed through all the junior coaching schemes to be a top one herself, and is now working for Anglers Mail full time on the journalism training ladder. For ladies looking to come to the sport there is good advice locally from Jeanette Halliday at Angling Direct Beccles. She is in the Suffolk Ladies team too, and recently accompanied the England team to Holland for the women's international.

Harleston Club's Silver series was off to a good start with several 20lb- plus weights from their Middle Pit. Norwich ace Robert Hubbard was the winner and an abundance of small roach showed as well as skimmers, with dead, red, maggots being as successful as the ever-popular as the pellet. Golden oldie Matt Collett, 74, gave another exceptional show of oft- under-rated waggler skills, working with his favourite quality casters.

Commercials slowed a little over the weekend with sleet, hail, rain and frost, but surprisingly good sport was available for those scaling down their tackle a bit and opting for smaller baits and less groundbait at venues both large and small.

Awards for All Lottery Grant money has provided an overflow system and more help for Ambulant Disabled Anglers swims at the Bungay Cherry Tree's Earsham Lay-by Lake.

Extreme caution with cars is advised on the new top soil as instability occurs from all the wet conditions and rain of late.