IN THE past few days the country has been battered with high winds and heavy rain.

But although it has been uncomfortable sitting on the lakes and rivers, the mild spell and steady water temperatures have produced some fantastic sport, especially if you are a predator angler visiting Bury Hill.

In the last week or so countless double figure Zander have been caught along the long bank peg numbers 40 to 55.

Baits such as sprat tails, small roach and Joey mackerel strips have done the business when presented on a single hair rigged hook.

Straight ledger tactics is by far the best method and only last Tuesday two anglers had a 29 fish haul with the biggest going 11lbs 14oz – quality fish for a Zed.

Local angler Mike Cicks tried in vain all last season to catch a double, but this year he has achieved it on nearly every visit, landing fish of 14lbs 4oz and just recently setting a new personal best of 14lbs 14oz.

It is a real shame that many anglers are missing out because they don't feel the need to tough it out in the bad weather.

But I can assure them that they are missing out on some really good action. When the wind blows and heavens open up the Zander come out to play in numbers.

The bream have been showing up as well. They tend to when winter arrives.

Last Thursday I was in front of the Sky Sports cameras for Keith Arthur's Tight Lines programme and being as it was my task to present the film footage with tips, methods and of course fish for the rolling cameras I was under pressure to deliver.

Producer Mick Brais informed me that the Sky crew were going to turn up at about 9am. So, being keen to put in a good performance and do myself justice, I arrived a little earlier so I could set up my tackle and make sure I was well prepared.

Thankfully the rain was forecast for another day but it was quite windy with gusts, so casting was going to be important to locate the fish in the right spot.

On my second cast the tip flicked and I was into a skimmer just over the pound mark. When I had another three fish in a 25 minute spell including a bream of 3lbs I was confident it was going to be a good day.

The Sky team arrived on time and I was pleased to inform them that I had four fish in the bag so I was confident there would be more to come for the action shots later in the day.

After doing the opening sequence shot it was down to the fishing and tips which, I must admit, went like a dream.

I won't go into too much detail as the film will be shown in a few weeks, but I had some cracking bream in front of the cameraman as the fish just got bigger and bigger as they moved in on my feed.

Considering the amount of time I was not fishing, as I was talking to the cameras with explanations of what I was doing, it was a wonder how I managed to catch so many fish.

The director was more than happy with how the day panned out, which is always pleasing and as soon as I get the nod on when it will be screened I will let you know.

Tight lines.