THE brand new freshwater fishery opened by Great Yarmouth disabled angler Darren Layfield at Lenwade on the outskirts of Norwich has been voted a huge success by local rod men who have devoted quality time catching hefty carp since the water opened early in the summer.

THE brand new freshwater fishery opened by Great Yarmouth disabled angler Darren Layfield at Lenwade on the outskirts of Norwich has been voted a huge success by local rod men who have devoted quality time catching hefty carp since the water opened early in the summer.

One of the satisfied customers is well-known Norfolk carp specialist Stephen Robinson who nips across from his Spixworth home to fish on many occasions on the now well- established Layfield Fishery, writes Roy Webster.

So far he has caught 20 muscle-packed beauties over 20lbs this year, the best coming out last Saturday as a venue-record mirror of 27lb.

“After suffering a few teething troubles Darren Layfield has worked wonders on his lakes. It is now one of my favourite venues,” declared Robinson.

This week Layfield, who rescued the Norwich Union Angling Club by acquiring the Pines Fishery from the Norwich Union Insurance Company, said: “It is going really well and I can honestly say it is now my dream come true.”

Other carp lakes producing are Hall Farm Fishery at Burgh Castle with steady sport there among the carp to the mid-teens. Also the nearby fishery, formerly known as Green's Pits, is also worth an autumn visit.

On the rivers the annual migration of the tidal water species such as the roach and bream is now complete.

On Wednesday anglers fishing the River Thurne above the Potter Heigham road bridges were catching numerous roach and skimmer bream to the 2lb mark from both sides of the river as far as the disabled anglers' platforms.

Pike anglers have been out on Hickling Broad this month with reports from the Whispering Reeds boatyard confirming that specimens had been caught up to 20lb although most fish were in single figures or the low teens.

It's a similar story from Horsey Mere where anglers should note that unlimited permits for boat angling end at the end of this month.

On the local match scene the beaches have been producing excellent catch, none more so than Yarmouth North where last Monday night's Sam Hook League Tournament produced a real fish fest among the whiting and small codling

The heads-up battle for top honours between two anglers in adjoining pegs ended with Dean Conway winning with 15lb 6oz including a codling of 5lb 6oz, but it was his last- cast whiting that turned the tables on Mark Gooch, who finished an ounce adrift with 15lb 5oz with Kelvin Chilvers third with 14lb 5oz.

The Browning Pownalls match outfit staged an open event at Topcroft Lakes where the winner was their own Derek Sparks with a magnificent haul of 93lb 8oz followed by Andy Dickin of Dilham with 75lb 6oz and Mark Seaman of Pownalls with 49lb 10oz.

In the Barford Teams-of-Three Challenge Pownalls finished in third spot with 102lb 5oz well behind

the winners Carp Vader who had 168lbs 4oz.

At the Mill Farm Lakes local rods came close to dominating all three events with Yarmouth's top woman angler Marion Mancini beating the men at the midweek with 56lb 2oz.

Stephen Rouse (Ormesby) headed the Sunday card with 50lb 13oz and Ray Kent (Gorleston) was Monday's runner-up with 50lb 10oz.

Stalham Club results - Barford: R Austrin 45lb 12oz, D Dearman 23lb, D Gipson 17lb 12oz. Railway: R Turton 60lb 4oz, R Austrin 46lb 12oz, D Agass 45lb 9oz.

Dukes, Ormesby Broad: T Campbell 7lb 5oz, B Spalding 1lb 10oz, C Greenfield 1lb 8oz.

Match fixture - North Norfolk Division of the National Sea League, round one, this Sunday at Bacton Beach. Enter teams on 01263 822400.