LOCAL angling clubs and commercial fishery bosses in the Great Yarmouth area are deriving enormous benefits from ring-fencing their waters with otter-proof mesh.

LOCAL angling clubs and commercial fishery bosses in the Great Yarmouth area are deriving enormous benefits from ring-fencing their waters with otter-proof mesh.

The Martham Angling Club has completed work on their pits located by the River Thurne and sport is booming. It is a similar success story from the Burgh Castle fishery

and the popular match water at Holly Farm, South Walsham, writes Roy Webster.

Martham club chairman Ian Bradford revealed the club has spent just over �2,000 on materials, and the fencing work was completed by a voluntary labour force recruited from club membership.

“There appeared to be quite a number of protected otters in the River Thurne valley and we had no option but to fence in our prized carp and silverfish to keep out these predators,” he said. “The fish seem more settled now that they are not being harassed and catches this spring have been superb with quality carp, tench and bream.”

Darren Squires, who along with his brother Chris runs the Burgh Castle fishery, has also put up wire fencing with no outside assistance.

“They have done a grand job,” declared Gorleston Jolly Boys and Sportsmans secretary Lee Arnold. “We are looking forward to the Bank Holiday Monday open match there.” This week there were still a few vacancies for the event. Contact Darren Squires on 07919 080961.

Gerald Marjoram, who created the Holly Farm at South Walsham in the River Bure valley a few years back, has also taken precautions and recently carried out otter-protection work. At Hall Farm, Burgh Castle, Sandy Riches is preparing to take action even though her two lakes have not been visited by the predators … so far.

The quality of the fishing Mrs Riches needs to protect was evident last week when Gorleston duo Royce Dorova and Steve Aldous heaved out a joint catch of 48 carp, the best of them around the 15lb mark.

Alfie Ramm, of Cobham, reported the best fish there - a common carp of 20lb 1oz while Stuart Young, Acle netted half-a-dozen to 18lb and Martin Gardiner, Yarmouth had them to 16�lb.

At Waveney Valley Lakes near Wortwell, Yarmouth carp enthusiast Richard Beamish winched out

his career-best common carp at 34lb 8oz, easily beating his previous one of 26lb.

On the match circuit Ormesby's Stephen Rouse won at Hill Farm with 69lb 2oz while with the Sportsmans outfit at Abbey Waters.

Jim Leonard, on his first outing with the club, scored with a 48lb 1oz winner. Runner-up was Karl Hodgins with 46lb 2oz, then Gary Eckett, 46lb.

Stalham were at Cobble Acre where the result was S Lawrence 13lb 4oz, J Hehir 13lb 3oz and R Austin 10lb 8oz.

Stalham members were mourning the passing of their long-serving committee man Roy Green of Ormesby. The 81-year-old spent many years serving as secretary, match secretary and deputy chairman.

Club president Len Reeves said: “Roy Green was a proper gentleman who served the Stalham club

with great enthusiasm and commitment. He was our friend as well as being a loyal, hard-working committee man.”

On the sea-angling front, local beaches are producing a fair number of spring codling and a fair crop of smoothhound and school bass.

Sport over the Bank Holiday is likely to be above average.