Reasonable catches came from all round after the rain soothed the few days of sharp frosts and the river put a few inches on at Bungay and Mendham Bridge and had a bit of colour.

Out of the strong wind some respectable catches were taken, but 12lb of roach would have been top of the shop upstream. Beccles boat anglers found some quality fish in the Town and a big shoal is still moving up and down the Suffolk Bank below the road bridge.

Smaller commercials had the edge over large acreage waters, with the most enthusiastic of participators catching plenty to keep them happy irrespective of ability. A single maggot, even on thickish lines, with a small hook – often a size 20 – has been the 'in' method in conjunction with little weight down the line on the pole rig. Just four or five grubs at a time as loose fed offerings within 10 metres of the bank, in more protected and less turbulent surfaces, has been the magic touch even for mirror carp over the 10lb mark.