SPRING has, it seems, finally sprung this week and not before time.

Although we are still getting freezing temperatures at night at least the days seem to be getting warmer.

On the variety of ponds and lakes around the area reeds are just beginning to show new growth and the fish are slowly beginning to awaken from their winter slumber.

Fishery owners across the region are reporting some much improved catches with plenty of feed starting to go into the water during the Easter and school holidays.

At the Willows, Cath Gallagher informs me that even if the carp won't play ball, as is often the case after a frost, there are hoardes of ide and orfe to over 2lb to boost catches.

Pegs two to five and 12 to 15 on Ridge Pool are consistent for the big ide with chopped worm needed to catch well.

On Goldrush, the humble maggot is more likely to suffice with chub and tench also on the cards.

One venue that is fishing exceptionally well is Paradise Fishery at Storwood, near Melbourne, where boss Simon Cramner-Gordon advises of several catches of more than a hundred fish per session being recorded from Pond One.

Waggler or pole fished with red maggot at a rod length out, combined with trickle feeding of maggot proving most effective.

Pond Two is fishing well for all sorts. Pole or waggler again fished at no more than five metres in the shallower water proving the downfall of some good fish.

Chris Westwood (pictured) from Stamford Bridge who took this 11.25 lb carp on Saturday from Pond Two. The successful method was floating crust.

The big fish are starting to move at Carpvale with several big catches coming from Cyprio Lake during the week.

Pegs 12 and 16 have both seen catches estimated at 80lb with carp to over 8lb falling principally for sweetcorn or meat.

Updated: 12:06 Saturday, April 06, 2002