One of Norfolk's top nature reserves Horsey Mere has produced bulging keepnets of bream for two Broads angling enthusiasts. Hemsby pals Cyril Barker and Tony Hall between them reeled in 41 giant slabs to over 7lb while boat fishing on the Mere in broad daylight.

Roy Webster

One of Norfolk's top nature reserves Horsey Mere has produced bulging keepnets of bream for two Broads angling enthusiasts.

Hemsby pals Cyril Barker and Tony Hall between them reeled in 41 giant slabs to over 7lb while boat fishing on the Mere in broad daylight.

“We ground baited liberally, floatfished sweetcorn and maggot and could not go wrong,” recalled Cyril who said there was only one other fishing dinghy on the Mere that day.

“There are not as many anglers after bream these days yet there are specimens bigger than ever before. Most anglers just want carp, carp and then more carp, but Tony and I are not complaining about the lack of activity on Horsey because we can now pick our favourite spots,” he concluded.

These two rodmen have also confirmed that rudd, comparatively rare in the Broads these days, still survive on Horsey. Two-pounders were once common there and there may be a few of that quality remaining.

The way to tempt them is to fish almost weightless float tackle baited with slowly sinking bread, having first attracted the fish around banks of lilies or in reedy bays by anchoring slices of dry bread in the chosen spot and casting the tackle as close as possible.

There are still some magnificent perch on Horsey Mere and the recommended method for these quality stripeys that range to over 3lb is to offer a juicy lob worm, a shiny whitebait available from the fishmonger's, or a small artificial lure worked in areas where shoals of fish fry are evident.

The nearby Hickling Broad is somewhat clearer due to easterly winds and low water and most bream catches have been taken after nightfall.

Of the other main broads there has been little angling activity on Martham North which is the interest mostly of pike anglers, as is the Trinity Group.

Even so a few of the monster bream in Filby Broad have been taken, but no more than half a dozen fish to 8lbs for the lucky few.

The non-tidal rivers are choked with weed at present but according to the Environment Agency clearance operations are imminent.

This frustrating natural growth did not deter Norwich rod Malcolm Joyce who returned to a spot on the River Wensum he previously visited as a lad 37 earlier. This time he heaved out a superb chub of 6lb 8oz, his personal best that snatched a lob worm bait as soon as it hit bottom.

This catch confirms that a trip to the weedy Wensum is still worthwhile and the best method is to run light tackle through the channels, the fish attracted by a steady trickle of freebee food tossed in at the head of the swim.

t A magnificent effort to foster more harmonious race relations in the county will be conducted on Sunday at the Kingfisher Lake near Thetford where teams containing English and Eastern European anglers will be lined up in competition together.

The event is sponsored by the Breckland angling Coaching Club, the Environment Agency, the GMB Union and is supported by the Norfolk Constabulary.

The get-together is aimed to acquaint diverse local communities with the bylaws of United Kingdom fishing and the day will open to the general public at 12.30pm with a barbecue at 8.30pm.

This initiative clearly sets a splendid example to all angling clubs and individuals and is light years ahead of some of the present confrontational stances adopted on many local waters such as the River Waveney and the Fenland Drains.

t A qualifier for the Browning Youth Masters Competition for the under 17s will be staged on the Barford Match Lake on Wednesday August 13, draw 9.30am, fishing from 11am-3pm. Tickets are £12 and entries must book in on 01603 759624.

Approximately one angler in 10 will go through and if the first qualifier is successful a second may be staged on Saturday August 30.