Dave Lane isn’t just a fisherman; he’s a master. He began fishing with his father in the mid-1960s. He used to fish for a variety of species, but he soon developed a preference for pursuing specific species, most notably the magnificent carp. Carp are freshwater fish that greatly range in size, Lane caught his first 30 pounder (13.5 kilograms) at Clone Valley, which was previously regarded as the mecca for carp fisherman in the United Kingdom. Carp can grow to be hundreds of pounds making them a competitive angling fish. In Horton, he became the first UK angler to land four fish weighing more than 40 pounds (18 kilograms). He was also named Carp Angler of the Year several times during his time there.

In 2002, he published his debut book, “An Obsession with Carp.” He’s also a frequent contributor to prominent fishing and carp periodicals. He spent the following few years honing his technique for angling and photography, and by 2004, he had caught five separate fish weighing over fifty pounds, an unrivaled achievement at the time. The fabled “Black Mirror” from Colne Mere, a now-empty 40-acre lake that was formerly home to the country’s most sought-after carp, was his fifth fifty-pound catch.

Lane became highly interested in product development and making fishing tackle to his own specifications over the years while he continued to write and travel. He eventually developed his own line of carp equipment, produced packaging, catalogs, and advertising. He soon published his second book, “A Flick of the Tale.” His third book, “Fine Lines,” chronicles the highs and lows, of his adventures during his angling career.