FISHING: THE main lake at the Stanford fishery is producing plenty of carp – with the best one reported a whopping 27lb fish.

Also being snagged were bream to 5lb and tench to 7lb.

Local anglers are starting to target the larger perch, with fish to two and a half pound being reported. Worm is the preferred bait.

Stanford’s square lake is still fishing well with carp to 17lb being caught.

The mild weather has seen some carp falling to floating baits. Joe Stagg has continued his run of good bream catches with a haul of 21 fish in the 3 to 5lb range for a total in excess of 70lb.

He returned on Friday and caught 27 fish up to 5lb for a total of about 100lb.

All the fish fell to maggots on a small feeder rig.

With water levels starting to fall at The Warren, all the swims on the main and square lakes are now open. The match lake is still closed but it is expected to open shortly.

For the full story see Thursday's THURROCK GAZETTE