Quick Questions With… Luke Vallory

Luke Vallory takes a break from chasing his day ticket forty to answer our questions…

Three words to describe yourself?
Meticulous, passionate, driven.

Who have been your biggest influences in carp fishing?
Matt the editor and I fished together since he was a chubby little 12 year old, so I guess I’d have to say him. I also have a few other close friends who I fished with at a young age.

Scariest moment on the bank?
One time on the North Met when I was woken in the early hours to my brolly being shaken about by some drunken eastern European guys. Another time I woke up to a fox staring me down, inches from my face.

How long have you been carp fishing?
19 years.

How did you start carp fishing?
I caught my first carp by mistake while float fishing for perch and roach at Stanborough lake. It all went on from there…

Other sporting interests?
I like a bit of boxing and football – fishing is my number one though.

One day left to go fishing, where would you go?
It would probably be Dinton White Swan, having one last go for the Jaffa.

Worst fishing-related injury?
Hooked myself deep in the finger and had to go to A&E.

Best three anglers you’ve ever fished with?
There are lots of good anglers around, but I mostly fish on my own so it’s hard to pick anyone who’s really stood out. As such, I would say my mates Matt and Ben as I’ve learnt a lot from each of them. Mad Martin also impressed me on Dinton with his edge fishing.

Your favourite moment in your carp angling career?
Probably catching Jon’s Linear – the whole scenario of having Tom and Lewis there to film it all made it all the more special

Three things you’d never go fishing without?
Vape, cap and camera.

Any regrets?
Not fishing Friday Lake sooner or spending more time on Carthagena.

What are your favourite bits about carping?
I love the outdoor aspect of it and the challenge of catching big, special carp. It’s a real escape from day to day life.

Your least favourite bits?
Angling pressure and poor etiquette. I also don’t really like fishing waters with bait boats – I’m not against them, but it usually ruins the edge of good, solid angling.

Who do you most admire in carp fishing?
Anyone who’s passionate and driven, fishing for the right reasons.

Tell us a secret?
I’m definitely a little too OCD when it comes to fishing – it can be a real nightmare!

Tea or coffee?
Coffee, decaf tea in the evening.

Favourite biscuit?
Choco Leibniz.

Favourite take-away?
Curry.

Funniest moment on the bank?
I was at North Met and there were some kids dive bombing into the lake off the next platform. I walked out to the end of my platform to shout at them and walked straight off the end of the platform going head under. I ended up going home in a dog towel because I didn’t have a change of clothes.

One fish you would have loved to have caught – past or present?
The Dustbin out of the Car Park Lake for past carp and the Jaffa for present carp.

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