Angling with Roy Webster

The town’s top beach fishing match group is gearing up to win the prestigious National Sea League final staged along Norfolk beaches this year.

Members of the Gorleston Tackle Centre-sponsored squad are among 16 other teams of five from all over England and Wales lining up along the shingle beaches of Kelling, Salthouse and Cley. They are Keith Morley, Paul Tovell, Clyde Leggatt, John Lacey and Dwane Lockwood who qualified for this showdown as winners of the north Norfolk round of eliminators.

Cautious team skipper Morley said he was not already counting chickens but felt his outfit was in with a great chance to lifting the title of this two-day event fished this weekend.

“The weather forecast is most encouraging, the venues are absolutely fair and I think we have a chance,” he commented.

Gorleston’s well-known beach match veteran Tovell, who has an almost unrivalled record along Norfolk and Suffolk beaches, was optimistic and upbeat about his team’s chances.

“We know what species to go for, flat fish and whiting, and I am confident we shall give the other teams plenty to think about,” he said.

“At one time we feared the weather was against us, but the winds are forecast to veer to south-east, and that will suit us fine.”

One of the main problems facing these anglers are the legions of tiny, greedy pin whiting that snatch the bait before the larger fish get at it.

Experienced rodmen insist that one of the better ways to pick up quality whiting is a fish bait rather than lugworm.

However, since dabs and, perhaps, some hefty flounders are expected to play a major role in deciding the nation’s major sea fishing championship of the year, the Gorleston lads will go into this final with flexible techniques.

Other local outfits they will be watching out for are host teams North Norfolk Lads and Holts Blues and Reds as well as Dad’s Army, Avenue Angling, Southwold, Imax, Eagles and Castaways.

On the freshwater match circuit, Karl Hodgins (Jolly Boys) scored top honours at the Burgh Castle fishery league event with 37lb 9oz.

Club results: Stalham (lagoons): 1 M Charlewood 24lb; 2 C Jonas 14lb 9oz; 3 J Higginson 10lb 7oz. Lacons (Barford): 1 T Porter 45lb 7oz, 2 P Nicholls 37lb 14oz; 3 D Lees 27lb 13oz.

Rivers and Broads prospects this weekend may be seriously affected by the sudden plunge in water temperatures.

Roach and bream may prove reluctant to feed, while quality pike will be interested in big dead-baits, such as herring or mackerel, fished deep. It’s going to be a patient waiting game.

Marsh Trail Lakes results.

Open Lake A: 1 Mac Collett 72lb 6oz, 2 Keith Westgate 37lb 14oz, Section A: 1 Alex Watson 21lb 7oz. Section B: 1 Neville Cooke 30lb 8oz.

Marsh Trail Lakes fixtures.

Open, Saturday Lake C: Draw 9am, fish 10 to 3pm �15 per head all in fee. Optional gold silver pegs standing over �200, for booking or details, contact Richard on 01502 514682/ 07796 437381.