Quick Questions With… Milky!

Carp fishing veteran Gary ‘Milky’ Lowe answers Total Carp’s Quick Questions!

Three words to describe yourself?
Thoughtful, trustworthy, and would do anything for anyone.

Who have been your biggest influences in carp fishing?
Rod Hutchinson, Chris Yates, Kenny Dorsett.

Scariest moment on the bank?
It was on the bank of a Shropshire mere, I was doing a few nights and there was all the usual talk about the place being haunted and that you see the shadow of a guy walking around at night… well, this particular night I was in a swim that was on a jetty and behind that swim was the syndicate caravan that we could use. During the night I was awoken by a banging sound coming from behind me; I got up, turned my head torch on and shone it at the caravan and the door was swinging, so I thought I couldn’t have shut it properly. Well I shut it and made sure it was shut and went back to bed. An hour later I heard it again, and when I looked the door was swinging again; now I was thinking what was going on, and I couldn’t get back to sleep. In the morning I mentioned this to a member and they said that’s where they normally see the shadow, and he goes in and out of the caravan – I was on edge all the following night and I kept the light on!

How long have you been carp fishing?
I’ve been fishing since the age of eight but carp fishing since I was 11, so that’s 42 years carping.

How did you start carp fishing?
I started through a friend’s dad, Johnny Meacham, who used to carp fish on a local lake. When we were float fishing we used to see him pulling in these big fish and we wanted to do the same, so we pestered him for ages until he gave in and showed us a few things, and the rest is history as they say.

Other sporting interests?
I watch a bit of football but that’s about it.

One day left to go fishing, where would you go?
I would go back to the old Harefield days, as the socials we had on there were legendary.

Worst fishing-related injury?
The only injury I’ve had while fishing is a dislocated ankle; I did it running for a take and fell down some steps.

Best three anglers you’ve ever worked with?
There’s a few but the main ones I would say are Ian Russell, Ian Chillcott and Iain Macmillan

Your favourite moment in your carp angling career?
I would say working with one of the greatest and kindest men who was in this industry, Len Gurd, who filmed mine and Ian Russell’s video, Fox Pool. Sadly he’s no longer with us.

Favourite capture?
The big mirror from the Essex Grange called The Big’un back in the 1990s – I gave up a lot to catch that fish.

Three things you’d never go fishing without?
Radio, RidgeMonkey charger, kettle.

Any regrets?
Yes, not fishing Savay when I had the chance.

Biggest character you have met through fishing?
Well there’s only one and that’s Derek ‘the Don, Ritchie – he’s an absolute legend!

What are your favourite bits about carping?
Being by the lake and not having any worries. That and the massive buzz you get when you get a take.

Your least favourite bits?
Angling etiquette seems to have gone nowadays, and crowded lakes.

Who do you most admire in carp fishing?
Anyone that can hold down a full-time job but still catch their fair share of fish on limited time.

Tell us a secret?
Most people know me as the Milky Bar Kid, but sorry to disappoint my fans I was never in the commercials, lol! I am just plain old Gary Lowe.

Tea or coffee?
Tea.

Favourite biscuit?
Chocolate Hobnob.

Favourite takeaway?
Chinese.

Funniest moment on the bank?
It was a good few years ago on Waveney Valley C lake; I was there with Derek Ritchie, the weather was horrendous, really chucking it down, and he was in one of the caravans that you could hire out. When he got a take he came running out of the van and the swim was on a bit of a slope – he ran down towards his rods but instead of stopping and picking up his rods he skidded straight past them and into the lake! He was then still trying to grab the rod that was screaming off – never laughed so much in my life before or since!

One fish you would have loved to have caught – past or present?
I have two; the first is Sally the common from Savay and the second is the Black Mirror from Colnemere.

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