Norfolk Broads stocks bouncing back

Fish stocks on the Norfolk Broads are at an all-time high – despite the impact of a devastating incident that threatened the future of angling in the area.
Visiting anglers have reported bountiful catches as the hotspot recovers from April’s disaster, when thousands of fish were wiped out by an oxygen-depleting algal bloom.
The dramatic recovery is thought to have been sparked by an explosion of silverfish on the rivers Thurne, Bure and Ant, and Tony Gibbons believes the region’s visitors have enjoyed the best fishing in more than a decade.
The Norwich & District AA chairman said: “Roach and skimmer numbers are incredibly high at the moment on all the Broads rivers.
“We have had numerous 70-plus peg matches on the Thurne recently which have seen an average of 20lb per angler.
“Pleasure fishermen have been getting even bigger catches,” he added.
No restockings have taken place since the worrying incident – which ended with Environment Agency officers rescuing and relocating more than half-a-million fish – but Tony believes the rivers are sustainable enough to recover naturally.
“Many of the Broads rivers have replenished themselves very quickly, especially as we have had a couple of good years of spawning.
“No-one has put any fish into these venues so it shows how good Norfolk rivers are at recovering naturally. It bodes really well for the future,” said Tony.
Matrix-backed match angler Warren Martin is a regular on the Broads, and is urging anglers to sample the prolific sport on offer.
He told Angling Times: “The fishing has been great on the Thurne and Bure for the past few years, and this summer it has stepped up another level.
“I have enjoyed some superb sport on the rivers this year, and I am looking forward to returning in the coming weeks,” he said.