Name: Edwin Wouters

Age: 40

Family situation: Divorced with a son of 6 years old

Years carping: 26, but the last 15 seriously

Personal best mirror: 64lb 4oz Rainbow Lake, France
Personal best common: 36lb 3 oz Kinselmeer, Holland

Most memorable capture: The Dutch common at 36lb 3oz at the Kinselmeer, Holland. I had a run during a storm and had to go and get the fish with the boat while there were huge waves on the lake. I was all by myself so no one could have helped me if anything went wrong. I was basically a toy of the wind and because of the enormous strength of the fish I ended up landing the fish at the other end of the 30 acre lake! It was my first fish above the 33lb mark, and now 8 years later it’s still my personal best common.

Most memorable fishing moment: My trip to Rainbow Lake with Alijn Danau in 2007. First of all the friendliness and open mindedness of the Belgium carp angler made it a great trip, and secondly the beauty of the lake and its big fish made it incredible. I caught a 64lb 4oz mirror, 55lb mirror, 49lb 5oz mirror, 36lb 3oz mirror and 36lb 3oz common.

Favourite venue: That’s a tough one. For its scenery it’s Pusiano (Italy) and because of the fish (but also the beauty of nature) I also like Rainbow Lake (France).

Venues you’d like to fish: A lot! I like new, mysterious big lakes. The River Po in Italy excites me, and I’d like to fish Cassien too. I grew up reading stories of the Dutch pioneers who had exceptional catches at Cassien so it’s very historical to me.

Favourite Venture product: I like them all. They all have something special, something extra which you know is made by anglers. I think the Lowrider bivvy with its overwrap is great and it’s the complete angling shelter.

Who are your angling icons: First of all it was Piet Vogel and Bertus Wagenaar who helped me on my way into France. At the time Rob Hughes and Simon Crow also published a few articles in the Dutch magazines which solved some problems I discovered in France. Luc de Baets, a Belgium angler and writer who published a book that was a great eye opener too, and in more recent times, Alijn Danau who has helped me no end.

Angling C.V.: I’ve written some stories for the Dutch magazines. I had a tackle shop for six years and now I have a tackle wholesale business in Holland. I ‘m an agent of Solar and Venture for Holland.

How would you describe yourself: As an honest, positive and hardworking person. I’ve leared to enjoy what life has to offer.