By Roy WebsterKEEN North Norfolk anglers made the most of an excellent start to the new coarse fishing season on rivers and Broads on Monday when excellent catches of all species were reported.

By Roy Webster

KEEN North Norfolk anglers made the most of an excellent start to the new coarse fishing season on rivers and Broads on Monday when excellent catches of all species were reported.

Hazel Traveller was one of half-a-dozen gentle folk from Walcot who beat them all with bream to 7lb and a number of roach and perch caught from the River Ant by Ludham Bridge.

On the River Bure at Little Hautbois most returns included numbers of dace, small chub and decent roach while the real monster chub and bream kept their heads down.

On Barton Broad decent bream catches were reported from the lower end at Irstead while the River Ant through Irstead Shoals also relinquished quality catches of bream for anglers who started at midnight.

North Norfolk is well blessed with permit fisheries that continue to provide value for money sport.

Reepham Lakes are now accepting angling clubs for tournaments with great success. Latest result there was 102lb for winner Brian Taylor of the visiting Notts AC. Bookings 01603 870829.

Cobble Acre in Hevingham has been in great form. Carp to 35lb, catfish to over 20lb and legions of roach, bream, tench and ide have featured and matches are catered for (bookings 07879 816181).

Chapel Road Lake at Roughton is a popular family venue with anglers taking up to 20 carp to the mid teens. Gimingham Lake, near Mundesley, remains the big draw among carp fans with specimens to over 30lb along with all silver fish species.

The St George's Fishery at East Ruston has become a popular match venue for local clubs and the latest result there for Aylsham and District AC was C Beales 19lb 15oz, D Hammond 19lb 13oz, K Sutton 17lb 2oz (match bookings 01692 583311).

Along the coast Cromer Pier has been the hotspot for sizeable bass with fish to 7lb reported taken on heavy tackle fished around the sunken supports.

Fish portions of mackerel or pouting are recommended as the top bait for fish suitable for the home freezer, while along the beaches at Trimingham, Mundesley and Runton portions of squid or crab are the baits. Numbers of mackerel have also been caught off the shingle beaches between Weybourne and Salthouse.

Fixture: Holt SAC Summer Beach Open: June 22 Kelling. fish 10am-3pm, entry £11. Tel 01263 711786.