ALEX NICOL

My love of fishing began at the age of seven when I received a fishing rod for my birthday, that very same day I was down at the river with my uncle catching Gudgeon, Roach and Minnows. I still have that original rod to this day.

After that I badgered my uncle on a daily basis begging to take me again, I was truly ‘Hooked’. As I got older I spent every spare minute I could down on the river bank. I am from Poole in Dorset and so often got the train on my own to Christchurch, where my grandmother lived, spending countless hours at Iford bridge and the Royalty fishery amongst other spots on the river Stour and Avon.

After that in my teenage years I moved to Ringwood in Hampshire. Luckily I was a stones throw from the mighty river Avon spending all of my holidays down the river float and ledger fishing for Chub, Barbel, Roach, Dace, Pike and Perch. It when I moved to this area that I discovered Carp fishing, it was from this point that I really became obsessed by fishing, spending all of my salary as a pot washer in a local pub on fishing paraphernalia. I joined CAC (Christchurch Angling Club) and spent every spare minute fishing their waters, mostly Hucklesbrook, Vincents and Meadow lake.

I then obtained my driving license and would drive all over the country with my equally obsessed pal, Sweaty, chasing bigger and bigger Carp. I my mid 20’s I moved abroad to Europe to work on yachts. I have been fishing over in Europe ever since, namely the river Ebro in Spain, many public and occasional private waters in both France and Italy, driving 1000’s of miles every year in the winter months, as in the summer I have no time off due to work commitments.

In the summer months working as a Captain on Superyachts I now fish for Pelagic species and have caught countless huge fish including Tuna, Wahoo, Mahi Mahi, Marlin etc. I also Captained a professional Sports fishing yacht in Italy and have fished over in Australia, Qatar and visited Thailand fishing numerous times pulling in some absolute monsters including Siamese Carp, Arapaima, Alligator Garr and Catfish.

But Carp fishing is my true passion, and it will continue to be for the rest of my days! I am fortunate to have had some epic trips and experiences in some amazing places and also met some lovely people whilst on the bank, true friends for life! European carp angling is full of countless opportunities for monster carp, the possibilities are truly endless, especially the public waters!