There have been quite a few reports of decent weights being taken around the area but with fewer than expected anglers out on the banks due to a Monday start and the fluctuating weather conditions.

It is going to be hard to predict what we can expect this weekend.

All the popular venues such as Wansford, Orton up and Orton down I expect to be quite busy and those fishing here should be looking to catch skimmers, bream and perhaps the odd tench or two.

My advice is to have a chopped worm and caster line a few metres out on the bank then concentrate on groundbait and pinkie.

I have only heard of a few barbel being taken from the locks at Orton but this is one section of the River Nene that is going to see some heavy pressure over the next few months and with good reason as double-figure barbel live here and really it is your only option if you are looking to catch one of these elusive fish.

The city embankment has been a slow starter and it is probably best to leave it alone this weekend as there is a lot of activity going to take place on the embankment and indeed on the river with the very popular Dragon Boat Race taking place.

The Twenty Foot Drain out at Whittlesey has produced bream and tench but unfortunately the Forty Foot has been nowhere near as productive.

Two of the best waters could well be Staffurths Bridge and the Old Nene at Benwick.

Bream anglers will be out in force on Ferry Meadows Lakes. Gunwade has not been in the best of form over the past few weeks but I have a feeling Overton Lake could turn out to be a real winner for bream with the hot pegs in the 120s worth a try.

Stillwater anglers are spoilt for choice. Decoy Lakes will be hosting several club matches and a couple of opens this weekend with Eldernell and Railway Lakes a better bet for pleasure anglers.

Kingsland Reservoir is probably the most improved fishery in the area right now. The Silver Fish pool in particular has been attracting good numbers of anglers.

For those after big carp Gerards Carp Lake at Maxey is a good bet and the deep water pool at Railway Lakes could see you latching on to 20lb-plus carp.

On the match fishing scene the new Fenland League gets underway with the first match on the North Level Drain at Tydd Gote.

There is an open match on the River Nene from Railworld down to the low 100s on the North Bank and for bream anglers Mick Smith is running regular Sunday opens on Ferry Meadows.

Fixtures:

Tomorrow: Whittlesey AA, Sweepstake, Enfield's Bridge, draw 1pm.

Sunday: Peterborough & DAA, Open, Railworld, North Bank, draw Cherry Tree 8am: Oundle AS, Branfoot Cup, draw Old Riverside Pub 9am; Yaxley/Farcet/Holme & DAA, Gorham Cup, Blackham, running line only. Draw 7am; Warmington AC, Chairman's Trophy, draw 9am.