Despite relatively poor access to pegs around the two big lakes, anglers came from as far afield as Scotland, Wales and the deep south to sample top quality action on the feeder.

However, if sport does not improve quite dramatically over the next few months the already less than enthusiastic club anglers and open match men will not be seen back on its banks.

Recent match results have been poor to say the least but the true test will come in the summer months once the water has got some colour to it and has warmed up considerably.

Whether we like it or not, conditions do play a major part in our sport, so I do think it is a little unfair to judge the venue from recent results including Sunday's open which saw very few fish taken.

Unfortunately the massive cormorant population in residence will also diminish fish stocks at an alarming rate. With 20 to 30 birds feeding each day on the lakes it does not take a genius to work out the huge lose of fish that nature can't ever replace.

It is better to wait until the end of the summer months then to get a full picture of what is going so badly wrong, and I hope we all have egg on our faces and it fishes really well. But that is, I fear, wishful thinking.

THE doom and gloom continues with reports of people fishing the River Nene out of season along the whole length of the river.

Worse still, they now have the cheek to wet a line in the city centre both above and below the town bridge in full view of everyone.

Yet I very much doubt if anyone has bothered to ring the Environment Agency (EA). If you do see anyone fishing out of season on our rivers and drains you should call the EA straight away on 0800 807060 as these people are in fact breaking the law.

ONCE again there is going to be a lot of activity in the early part of the new season which is just a few weeks away now.

The Angling Times Team Championship 2008 Final will take place on July 13 in conjunction with Tacklefest and there has been three big open matches arranged leading up to the big day.

I expect a slow start to the new campaign but with top quality anglers from across the country, including several international rods, taking part it will not take them long to sort the tactics out I am sure.

Once the big match is out of the way Peterborough DAA have once again organised a Nene Summer League.

This well established teams-of-five event kicks off on the river on July 27 at Orton. The next match is on the upper river on August 10 followed by round three at Milton and Orton on August 31.

The last round sees the action switch to the North Bank on September 14.

Steve Goodrum will be taking team bookings this year and you can contact him for all the details on 01733 752302.

THIS summer John Spalton has also set up a league, calling it the 'Kings of the Fen' series.

Thankfully his matches do not clash with the Nene League so there will hopefully be plenty of interest for both.