Will things buck up when the thaw arrives? I no longer care, as after the best part of two weeks away from the rivers I'm going stir crazy.

I hoovered the other day. I nearly put a shelf up. Things are getting that bad.

It's funny how soon you start to miss your fishing, no matter how bad it's been, when you can't go for a few days.

I don't know if people who go bird watching, train spotting or play golf develop quite the same degree of obsession.

As long as there are a few weeks left, you're in with a shout with the fish packing on weight pre-spawning. That's if you can find them, or course.

Before the 'proper' cold snap materialised, roach and bream were showing in some of their usual winter haunts on the Ouse around Modney and St Marks.

Bearing in mind both spawn later than the predators, a mild spell could bring them back on song for several weeks.

King's Lynn PAC has pulled off a coup for its meeting on Wednesday, January 30. It's secured Stephen Harper – author and chronicler of Broadland pike – for a rare appearance as guest speaker.

As well as writing and designing some of the finest angling books from his base near Dereham, Harper has also caught his fair share of specimens including pike to over the iconic 30lbs mark.

So it might just turn out to be an interesting evening at the Wm Burt Club, West Winch, next Wednesday (7.30pm).