With a month to go a walk along the river banks raises hopes for the opening of the river season.

Fresh green rushes, wild mint shoots with purple edges and the first of the water cabbage creates the immediate view.

At Earsham the steady stream that used to run in concrete viaduct, holding dace and small chub has become all but useless with almost no flow. However, 200 yards downstream the changed environment sees a water course in the same vein as the 'Wolds' 100 yards away running parallel. Both of these streams are exceedingly depleted due to reorganisation of the main Waveney flow, but should not be discounted as they are holding large fish of several species observed this week.

To leave Bungay take the old road out into Earsham, on the Dam select the stream where the car park is on your left. This mile round open aspect circular walk runs by hawthorn bushes via a high bank and narrow track. With the church in sight, then cross the hump bridge, left, and cut down to cross the sleeper bridge and walk back with the water on your left.

Both banks yield a pleasant and surprising peek into narrow, shallower water supporting an abundance of water-bound insect life for an excellent food chain, and a place where big roach may just come back. It's free fishing and not a place to cart a barrow and a box, but just one light rod for a couple of hours with some bread could be worthwhile when the opening arrives.

A good place for guaranteed carping sport is set on the Halesworth Road from Bungay, on the left at the Cider Farm. Jonathan Calls, two small pools should not be underrated because they provide year upon year some of the most consistent sport with 40-50lb bags on the pole. .

Hinderclay Lakes, down towards Redgrave, fish well at this time of the year with their mainly peat based bottoms and, being spring fed, the water temperature rises easily.

The big Spring Lake has shallows that hold double figure carp and a deeper piece on its western end dividing bank. Here the smallish Willow Pool is reliable but perhaps William Lake has the best variety of species with early tench beginning to settle down to feed.

• Correction: We would like to clarify that Field Farm Fisheries at Wrentham has not changed its name. Some of the pools have been deepened, but not enlarged and process remain the same. We apologise for any inconvenience.