And some of it I think we would all agree is fair particularly with regard to the weed growth which has rendered some sections of the river almost impossible to fish.

But at long last it looks as if we have turned the corner.

Last week there were some excellent roach weights taken on hemp and tares and over the Bank Holiday period two small matches on the upper section run by Peterborough's new young match secretary, Steve Goodrum, produced some consistent sport.

Sunday's match saw Jon Means out in front with 10lb 1oz of roach taken on hemp and tares from the 40s at Stibbington.

Goodrum himself came second from the same section with 8lb 2oz followed by Rob Johnson, who had 7lb 2oz of roach from Stibbington Bridge.

It proved to be a very profitable weekend for Means as he took first place on Bank Holiday Monday from Water Newton putting 8lb 13oz to the scales.

Johnson came second with 8lb 11oz followed by Darren Page with 6lb 3oz.

The two-day event was sponsored by Darren Page's company D & L Groundworks.



ANOTHER piece of good news from the River Nene came from the barbel anglers over the weekend.

With a touch of extra water on the river several good fish were taken topped by a fine 10lb 7oz specimen barbel taken by Lee Currie.

The Peterborough rod has a fine record of catching barbel from the Orton area and has also taken some very big carp from several of our local stillwaters.

Anglers from all over the country are now looking for these fish and it would seem that the Orton area can now produce double-figure fish quite regularly for those willing to put the time in.

Perhaps it's time to think about re-stocking the river with barbel in one or two other sections, in particular Alwalton. The streamy, shallow and mostly unused section of our river could well do with a boost and barbel would be the ideal fish to attract anglers to our local waters.

There would be no need for big fish, a healthy stocking of fingerlings and fish up to around the 1lb mark would revitalise this part of the river.



ANOTHER angler in the news, who scooped the jackpot winning on two consecutive days, was Mark Bellamy.

He fished the two-day festival at Lovells Lakes out at Tallington.

Saturday's match was on the Carp Match Lake and Bellamy put an excellent 46lb 13oz to the scales.

Runner-up on day one was Stuart Redman. He had 37lb 10oz and the largest fish on the day fell to Andy Yaxley with a specimen of 13lb 1oz.

In Sunday's Jack Greeves Memorial, Bellamy put 31lb 14oz to the scales. Then came Oliver Leansey, a 15 year-old youngster who also scooped first place in the junior event with 27lb 4oz.

Ade Gardner came third putting 9lb 10oz to the scales.

The festival was sponsored by Fox International and the Jack Greeves Memorial Match raised more than £150 for the McMillan Charity.