It was billed as the great revival of River Thurne match fishing.Unfortunately, a massive spring tide surging inland and plunging over-night temperatures that put paid to prospects of spectacular catches in the first open competition along the once-famous Potter Heigham/Martham match length for more than 20 years, writes Roy Webster.

It was billed as the great revival of River Thurne match fishing.

Unfortunately, a massive spring tide surging inland and plunging over-night temperatures that put paid to prospects of spectacular catches in the first open competition along the once-famous Potter Heigham/Martham match length for more than 20 years, writes Roy Webster.

Anglers, who spent much of last week testing the river's potential, caught quality nets of roach until Friday. But with the moon on full the tides began to build up, probably forcing more than a hint of saline up river.

Add to that the sub-zero temperatures of Saturday night and those factors combined to dash all hopes of a roach and bream bonanza.

A total of 28 disconsolate anglers fished with dry nets and just one 5lb bream earned by Reg Bryanton (Deben) top honours.

Two skimmer bream apiece accounted for second and third places for David Roe (DAD) with 4lb 14oz and Colin Davey (Veterans) 4lb 2oz.

Not a single roach was placed on the scales and the only other fish caught were the odd small bream, perch, and a sizeable flounder.

Stoical organiser Tony Gibbons had seen it all before during those halcyon match days of the 1970s when this stretch of Thurne water was rated as one of the top tournament venues in East Anglia.

“It may well be the roach had moved up ahead of the tides but the bream and perch that were caught were not alone. Quite simply the fish were off colour and not feeding in the normal way. I hope to try again on Sunday week but will make my final decision after studying the river's form this weekend.”

The Burgh Castle fishery open was won by Karl Hodgins with 20lb 5oz then Dave Esherwood 13lb 13oz and Gary Hunter 13lb 12oz.

Stalham club members visited their River Ant Cut, the result: C Timms 11lb 4oz, D Agass 10lb 4oz, J Beck 8lb 9oz.

Martham members fished the Boat Dyke where shoals of small roach, probably migrants from main river, produced an all-action event. Result: S Jackson 18lb, T Greenfield 13lb 10oz, M Bensley 13lb 6oz.

The Gorleston Tackle Sea League result from the central beach was G Medler 8lb 14oz, M Gooch 6lb 7oz, D Conway 5lb 12oz. Mostly whiting and dabs.

Next match Monday, 7pm at Yarmouth, Beaconsfield Road.

Pike fishing on the Broads suffered a downturn with one belated report of a 29 pounder coming out of the river Thurne Wides below Potter Bridge.

Anglers fishing for cod along the beaches should be aware that a marauding seal is snatching fish from anglers' hooks.

Keith Brown of Horsford hooked a hefty cod while fishing from Caister beach. But the estimated eight pounder suddenly seemed much heavier. A seal, hunting the inshore cod, surfaced with the angler's prize clamped between its jaws.

To add to Brown's woes a stray dog snaffled most of his bait when his back was turned.