Roy Webster's Fishing ReportDAVE Docwra is back as a formidable fishing force on the local match angling circuit after a recent cancer scare turned out to be a false alarm.

Roy Webster's Fishing Report

DAVE Docwra is back as a formidable fishing force on the local match angling circuit after a recent cancer scare turned out to be a false alarm.

Despite suffering from a chronic breathing disorder the Yarmouth Sportsmans former England international rod who made his name with the hugely-successful Yarmouth Dream Team in the 1970s and 1980s, achieved a splendid victory in Sunday's Jason Smith Memorial Open with a quality roach net of 22lb 8oz from the River Bure.

“I realised the bream hot spots at St Benet's Abbey were not included so I opted for roach from the first whistle, fishing caster on the pole rig while feeding in about three pints of casters peppered with grains of hempseed,” he explained.

“I am absolutely delighted with this result but I could not achieve it, nor attend many other competitions, without the kind assistance of other anglers who shouldered my kit from car to riverbed and then back again afterwards. Without them I would simply have to retire from my favourite sport, and I am most grateful,” said Yarmouth's one-time sweet manufacturer and fishing tackle shop boss who is now into his sixties.

“I had about 80 roach in all averaging about 4oz apiece and I was busy for most of the five-hour event,” he concluded.

Former Broads champion Eddie Davison (Suffolk Lads) was runner-up with 16lb 6oz then came Chris Jacubowski (Nisa Feeders) with 14lb 1oz. The event raised �426 for Diabetes UK.

Will Freeman (Preston Innovations) topped the Yarmouth Individual League on the River Yare with 49lb 12oz of bream followed by Bob Cheeseman (DAD) 38lb 5oz and B Harding (Bourne) 36lb 12oz.

Club match results were excellent with John Hehir hauling a marvellous winning net of 126lb of Melton Ponds carp to head the Stalham card followed by Robin Austrin 65lb 8oz and Dave Gipson 56lb 2oz.

Other results: Caister Carols (Melton Ponds): A Waldron 93lb, B Barnard 41lb 12oz, Carol Waldron 29lb 2oz. Lacons (Barford): A Zagdan 67lb 14oz, P Nicholls 55lb 11oz, B Norton 43lb 14oz. Sportsmans (Head Fen): G Hunter 26lb 9oz, R Silverwood 23lb, L Arnold 21lb 4oz.

On the carp waters Hall Farm, Burgh Castle produced 24 fish to 16lb 12oz for Gorleston regular Steve Aldous but the heaviest of the week was a 20lb 8oz for St Olaves angler David Riddell.

Anglers who have been lamenting the loss of much of the access to the River Thurne between Potter Heigham and Martham can rejoice. For this once popular venue for locals and visitors alike has benefited from a fabulous facelift that has involved installing an array of angling platforms and cutting the reed mace back to release enough bank space for a decent-sized competition.

Credit for this important work goes to the Broads Authority and the Environment Agency.

Already anglers are enjoying top quality sport along the new swims where fishing is free to every rod licence holder. Watch this space for further developments and forthcoming open match dates along this bank.

Sea anglers have been enjoying considerable sport in the harbour where school bass have been shoaling. Along the beaches a few smoothhound and flat fish species have been caught along with school bass from the supports of the local piers and jetties.