Page 24 - Anglian angling on the broads

24 Environment Agency Angle on the Broads Environment Agency Angle on the Broads 25

A matchman’s approach venue. You will find if you match fish to mention our changeable weather,

a venue on a regular basis, a pattern
I guarantee you’ll never fish the same
match twice.
emerges that suggests one method
is working better than another. For
to the Broads example, our rivers tend to run very As I mentioned, a good local tackle
shop is a source of reliable, up-to-
clear these days and this can make
date information when it comes to
feeder fishing, especially for bream,
quite difficult. You know the fish are results and tactics, as of course are
there but you can’t tempt them into the guys that run these events. They
taking the bait. Perhaps they are want you to come along to support
spooked by the feeder or maybe with their events so are more than willing
I’m happy to say that despite the general decline of river match fishing a still bait on the bottom the fish to help with any information you Local tackle shops can be
a good source of advice
need in order to enjoy your match
around the country, our Broads rivers are still producing the very highest have too much time to inspect it and to the full. Three such guys are Keith
ultimately reject it. Who knows, but
standard of competitions. often clear water means pole fishing. Ford for the River Yare (Tel: 01603 those of you who may want a more
483923); Tony Gibbons for the River intensive day, maybe concentrating
Roach are less wary in clear water Bure (Tel: 01603 400973) and Frank on certain methods or aspects of
Okay, so the big river championships October onwards, after our summer than bream and will happily feed Thomson for the River Wensum fishing of your own choice. There is
are sadly a thing of the past, but venues have finished. So if you’re over a bed of groundbait, or loose (Tel: 01603 764099). a fee for these days but all your bait,
they have been replaced by smaller, interested in giving these contests fed casters in the less pacey swims. some tackle and all bank fees are
more regular matches. There are for a whirl, I’d better tell you how to go The usual pole range is 7–11m I myself run tuition days on the River included, in what will be a superb
example the Saturday Opens on the about it. largely depending on marginal Yare, which are free. You can come day out. Again, you need to book
Beauchamp Arms stretch of the River depth. You really need 2m plus of along and spend a day fishing with in advance.
Yare, which happen every week from Before you take the plunge, I’d advise water to be able to hold your fish for me in a group of up to 10 people
June 16th until the big tides push anyone to go along to a match on the duration of a match. Remember and I will demonstrate different
the fish up river, around the middle your chosen venue. You can usually the tidal effect will reduce or methods. These happen once a
of October. That’s around 20 keenly find out the dates in the local press increase this depth throughout the month from July to October and
contested matches that attract or tackle shop. Sit and watch a few day so think ahead. You will usually have to be booked in advance. Also, For more information contact
good anglers from as far afield as regulars in a few different areas of notice changes in river conditions I now do an individual tuition day for Nick Larkin on 01502 563965.
the Midlands and the London area. the river, just to feel your way in and throughout the year and generally
Testament indeed to the fine roach learn the methods required. Fishing there is a spell when our rivers
and bream fishing this river has to in match conditions is very different suddenly colour up. In recent years
offer. There are also team events to sitting on your own with the whole this has happened just into August
at this venue, staged mainly on river to yourself. You must remember and lasts for about six weeks.
Sundays, which have a more local, that bait is being fed in every few
club feel to them. metres, along the whole stretch of When this occurs things change
river. Everyone will be ‘sharing’ the dramatically. Suddenly the river’s
Talking of team fishing, this is often fish. In reality everyone will be trying bream population appears from
the basis of contests run on the to pinch everyone else’s fish. It’s nowhere and starts a rampant
fabulous River Bure – the River Yare’s down to you to get your share or, feeding spell. To take advantage
smaller cousin. The Bure is shallower preferably, more than your share. of this, you must be feeder fishing.
and gentler than the Yare and is a You will need feeders of medium to
delight to fish. The match length is by In the match situation there are Nick Larkin unhooking another large sizes ranging from 1oz to 2oz
no means less prolific. Matches here, two methods that are head and fine Broads roach with a few clip-on weights to finely
usually starting early on Sundays shoulders above all others – these balance them, just to hold bottom.
to avoid the boats, often produce are the pole and the feeder. Both When a bream takes, you’re looking
the most spectacular roach fishing. these methods allow you to fish a for a ‘drop-back’ as the feeder is
Depending on the river’s state, the very small area of your peg, very momentarily dislodged. Most of the
size of the bream have to be seen to efficiently. This makes it easy to The size of the venues mentioned but especially the
be believed. condense your feed and therefore Yare and Bure carry stocks of bream
your fish into a small area, making bream have to
Our other rivers, the Ant, Thurne and them easier to catch and much more from 1lb up to 7lb so this can be an
Waveney were all the scene of big difficult for a neighbouring angler to be seen to be exciting period – make the most of it.
matches years ago but really only pinch them off you. So you can see that match fishing
host small club events these days. believed! our wonderful Broads rivers is a
The exception is the River Wensum in Knowing which method to fish in challenging but very rewarding side Baiting the swim
the heart of Norwich, which provides which area comes with experience to the sport. With tidal variances, not
the most fantastic winter sport from and getting to know the traits of each