Roy WebsterStand by for monster catches of carp, catfish and tench from Norfolk and Suffolk permit lakes.As the first cuckoo was first heard belting out its mating call last week and early swallows of summer were reported swooping for flying insects above the blossoming cherry and plum trees, aquatic activity beneath the surface was reaching fever pitch as the leviathans of the deep began the big build up towards their spawning season by packing in the protein gifted them by anglers who sat soaking up the sun in the highest temperatures of the year so far.Roy Webster

Stand by for monster catches of carp, catfish and tench from Norfolk and Suffolk permit lakes.

As the first cuckoo was first heard belting out its mating call last week and early swallows of summer were reported swooping for flying insects above the blossoming cherry and plum trees, aquatic activity beneath the surface was reaching fever pitch as the leviathans of the deep began the big build up towards their spawning season by packing in the protein gifted them by anglers who sat soaking up the sun in the highest temperatures of the year so far.

There are no prizes for guessing the location of the venue that relinquished the first 40lb plus carp this spring nor for the name of the angler who put it on the bank.

Scaling 41lb 4oz this cracking common came out of the prolific Kingfisher Syndicate lake at Lyng and was tempted by Buxton's big fish ace Stu Davison.

So no surprises there.

Other Kingfisher specimens included a 32lb 8oz mirror for Paul Gidney of Fakenham.

Not to be outdone, other fish in the mid twenties fell to the rods of Luke Prest, Lingwood, Lee Cartwright of Great Ryburgh, Stewart Leisi, Acle and Chris Birdman, Caister.

The Yew Tree lake catfish at Waveney Valley were also cooperative and the heaviest came in at 42lb 6oz among as quartet over 20lb heaved out by Steve Lovett of Brundall.

Chris Hawkins of Mattishall had the next best at 39lb 8oz while the top carp catch was recorded by Dean Bridges of Heydon who reeled out 17 mirrors and commons for 25lb.

Cobble Acre lakes were also at peak form for catfish, the best at 39lb 8oz for Norwich regular Sean Rebock and A Roberts of Norwich bagged one at 34lb 8oz.

City regulars Stuart Thorpe and Gareth Hunt both posted common and mirror carp in the low thirties.

Cobble Acre's Adams lake will be closed during the RNLI charity events from 4pm this Friday until this Saturday at 3pm and from 4pm May 7 to 10am May 9 for the Nash Tackle show.

A 31lb 2oz ghost carp caught by Steve Bruce of Belton headed the big fish list at Taswood.

Meanwhile other commons, mirrors and ghosties in the twenties fell to Dan Green of Long Stratton, Richard Ivers, Spixworth, Kevin Smith, Lingwood and Matt Ireland of Brundall.

Swangey lakes produced a 31lb 2oz mirror carp for Danny England of Attleborough who paired it with another of 30lb 6oz.

Over at Taverham lake mirror and common carp in the low twenties were recorded by Taverham anglers John Gray and Simon Wigglesworth and Kevin Sullivan of Wymondham.

Local match lakes were busy and the top open match catch was 91lb for Costessey Crown's Carl Watker, winner of the Barford mid week.

Alan Hilton (Long Stratton) topped the Railway card with 86lb 6oz , while Bill Bullock (Dereham) won at Mill Farm with a total of 80lb 10oz.