Angling by Roy WebsterGREAT news from the River Thurne at Cold Harbour, Ludham this week - the Broads Authority, the Environment Agency and the Norwich and District Anglers' Association are combining their efforts to create more improved access to the waterside which will result in more disabled anglers fishing this popular river.

Angling by Roy Webster

GREAT news from the River Thurne at Cold Harbour, Ludham this week - the Broads Authority, the Environment Agency and the Norwich and District Anglers' Association are combining their efforts to create more improved access to the waterside which will result in more disabled anglers fishing this popular river.

The present work involves undertaking the creation of a safe ramp to the riverbank where wooden stagings will be placed at intervals along the top of the Cold Harbour stretch. NDAA chairman Tony Gibbons said he was delighted with the progress which has resulted in a general upgrading of the tidal embankments during the most recent flood defence projects.

“This work not only helps local anglers but also attracts more visitors to the area, and that can only boost the local economy,” he commented.

Last Saturday the Thurne staged a challenge match at Cold Harbour between a local NDAA squad who entertained an outfit from Deeping.

This turned out to be a master class by the local rodmen who filled the top three places. Former Yarmouth England international Dave Docwra headed the card with 16lb 15oz of roach and another town top rod Karl Hodgins was runner-up with 16lb 12oz of skimmer bream.

Yarmouth's Browning/Pownalls' squad men also made the top three in the Cobble Acre Open, the winner Mark Roundtree with 30lb 14oz then Mark Seaman, 29lb 12oz and Barry Burlton with 27lb 8oz.

In the Suffolk Summer League Browning/Pownalls are second in the table with 31 points after filling third spot in the second round on the Suffolk Waterpark. The leaders Deben are four points ahead on 35 points.

The Great Yarmouth Saturday Series on the River Yare was won by Robert Hubbard (DAD) with 35lb 12oz of bream and club match were: Caister Ship (Melton Ponds): A Thurlow 25lb 4oz, L Frosdick 22lb 15oz, N Page 17lb 7oz. Sportsmans (Halesworth): Robert Silverwood 11lb 4oz, Richard Silverwood 9lb 6oz, Lee Hodges 5lb 10oz.

On the carp lakes Brian Thrower of Filby netted the fish at Waveney Valley - a 32lb mirror. At Taswood Douggie Collins bagged a 20lb 2oz common.

Sunday brings the second round of the Summer League on the Rivers Bure and Thurne. Prospects for both bream and roach are rated excellent with Browning/Pownalls leading local hopefuls in the table but needing a top result to clamber from their present third spot.