Name: Alex Perrin

A ge: 32

Star sign: Sagittarius

Hometown: Shrewsbury

Marital status: single

Years carping: 22

PB mirror: 60lb 12oz from Lac de St Cassien, France
PB common: 66lb 8oz from Rainbow Lake, France

Most memorable capture –  This has to be my first UK 30. I think it was summer 1993 or thereabouts. Back then that was a huge fish for the Shropshire region, and I’ll never forget the moment I netted it – one of those surreal carping moments. I had to drive to a phone box to call the local tackle shop for some bigger scales as the Avons I had were not quite up to the job!

Most memorable angling moment – There have been so many; my first carp nearly dragged the rod into the lake, and that was me hooked forever! My first sight of Cassien was a moment I had waited the best part of 20 years to see and it certainly didn’t disappoint. Perhaps the best moment was playing my first 60 from Cassien; the sun was going down after another perfect day in the South of France, and there was a group of French people down the bank from us playing the guitar. The atmosphere was electric, and from early in the fight I knew I had something very special on the end. The friends that were with me to celebrate the capture were the icing on the cake.

Favourite venue –  Without a doubt Lac de St Cassien. Working as a guide down there I have been lucky enough to spend quite a bit of time at the lake and I love everything about the place.

Venues you would like to fish – I’d like to spend more time on the big French reservoirs; it is the unknown that really gets me going now. There are a few lakes in the wilderness in France that are high on my list at the moment, places where you have no idea what is out there…

Favourite Venture product – The Razorback, awesome whether I’m doing an overnighter between work or on a big session in France.

Who are your angling icons – Ritchie MacDonald, Tim Paisley, Rod Hutchinson, I think these were probably the main three whose writings influenced my early carping.

Angling CV – I have written for several of the magazines in the UK, and had a monthly slot in Crafty Carper for three years or so. I’m a qualified angling coach, and have also worked as a fishing guide. Also fished in the BCAC final with 6th being my best placing.

Favourite TV programmes – Stupid stuff like Ren and Stimpy, and serious stuff like Blue Planet and any other nature programmes.

Favourite music – Very varied! Moorcheeba, Chillies, Lily Allen, Offspring, techno, most dance music… even some R&B now, which I hated a couple of years back! Depends totally on the situation.

What mags / papers do you read – Daily Star for quality entertainment! I also read loads of books, mainly thrillers.

Do you like sport – When I get round to it I enjoy tennis, squash and golf. I used to surf a lot, and have travelled the world and surfed many of the top breaks in Oz, New Zealand and Indonesia. Unfortunately I don’t get much of a chance to go these days.

All time dream girl – Lindsay Lohan would be good fun!

People you admire – Anyone who gets up and does something with their lives. Too many people seem to just let it happen around them.

Likes outside of angling – Surfing and travelling. I also enjoy cooking for friends and eating out, with a good bottle or two of red of course!

Dislikes – I have no time for selfish people, or liars.

How would you describe yourself – Someone who enjoys life to the full, but with a chilled out view to it all. I very much believe that life is for living, and I’m glad I learnt that lesson when I did.