Angling by Roy WebsterTHE caring face of angling shone brightly on Martham Pits last Saturday when village club members turned out in force to participate in a charity fundraiser.

Angling by Roy Webster

THE caring face of angling shone brightly on Martham Pits last Saturday when village club members turned out in force to participate in a charity fundraiser.

Nearly 40 anglers lined up to raise a princely sum of �400 for Cancer Research.

The fish also entered into the spirit of the day, feeding freely to present the club's acting press liaison officer Paul Sparks with a new venue match record of 76lb 6oz while Scott Watson was the top junior with 7lb 14oz.

“Obviously, I was delighted with my day at the waterside, but this really was an all-round club effort and all our members enjoyed taking part in this good cause that produced carp, bream, roach and tench in substantial numbers,” said Sparks.

Club membership to fish the Pits is available, details from club chairman Ian Bradford 01493 748358 for non-members permits are issued at the Co-op store located on Martham Green.

The Burgh Castle open event was won by Mick Bunn (Sportsman's) with 44lb 8oz, Dave Docwra headed the Sportsman's club card at Swangey with a bream catch of 32lb 10oz, Gorleston Shrublands winner at Burgh Castle was A Slater with 22lb 1oz and Tony Wilkinson headed the Stalham card with 17lb 5oz at The Old Stables at Felmingham.

Match results: Martham Charity events (Martham Pits) Seniors: P Sparks 76lb 6oz, T Harmer 24lb 7oz, S Rouse 24lb 6oz. Juniors: Scott Watson 7lb 14oz, Daniel Watts 3lb 1oz, Harry Larter 1lb 8oz. Sportsman's (Swangey): D Docwra 32lb 10oz, R Silverwood 30lb 2oz, C Leonard 27lb 8oz. Shrublands (Burgh Castle): A Slater 22lb 1oz, N Nutman 16lb 13oz, A Reece 12lb 2oz. Stalham (Old Stables): T Wilkinson 17lb 5oz, D Hammond 15lb 12oz, J Hehir 15lb 3oz.

On the local carp lakes including Martham Pits the fish keep feeding despite the physical throes of spawning.

Hall farm Burgh castle is one of the most reliable summer carp venues with the

added bonus of quality bream and tench in the main lake.

Along the beaches school bass and smooth hound are the main fare while on the banks of Breydon Water school bass and flounders made up the weights in the TackleXChange league won by Paul Tovell (Gorleston) 4lb 1oz followed by Dick Able (Corton) 2lb 10oz and Peter Loke (Norwich) 2lb 9oz.

With the new coarse fish season on local Broads and Rivers just days away - June 16 marks its re-opening - anglers should become acquainted with new fishery bye-laws that entered the statute book this month.

Regulations have been amended that limit the number of fish that may be taken away per day for human consumption or for the use as bait: One pike up to 65cm in length (approx 5lbs), two grayling between 30cm and 38cm and 15 fish of the other main species up to 20cm in length with no protection for mini fish such as gudgeon, bleak and sticklebacks or for alien species such as zander, catfish and ornamental koi carp.

Clubs controlling riverbanks and riparian owners of water can enforce their own rules and anglers require proper permission to retain any fish they catch.

There are now strict protection measures in force for eels. From Tuesday all eels caught on rod and line from rivers, broads, still waters, and estuaries have to be returned alive to water immediately.

North Cove and Barnby Angling Club: The club control a mile and half of the River Waveney at North Cove with 42 pegs available. Season permits are available for purchase at North Cove Village Stores or Angling Direct in Beccles. Priced at �15 adult, �10 for OAP junior and disabled anglers. Members old and new are welcome to join the friendly club for information/details.

Contact Richard on 07796 437381 or David on 07913 115610.

Freshwater fixtures: Marsh Trail lakes open Saturday, June 12, lake C. Draw 9am, fish 10am to 4pm, �15 per head all in fee optional. Gold, silver, bronze peg standing over �250. For booking/details contact Richard 01502 514682/07796 437381.

Freshwater results. Marsh Trail Lake Open Lake A: 1 Mick Critoph 12lb 8oz, 2 Dave Forrester 9lb 13oz. Winner section A, Peter Dade 6lb 10oz, section B Matt Collett 8lb.

Haven Bridge May 31: 1 C Legget 5lb 6oz, 2 G Medler 3lb 13oz, 3 K Morley 3lb 4oz. Two bass (36cm and 41cm) and the rest eels. Next week at Yarmouth South Beach.