CARP FISHING - EUROBANX 3 with Alan Blair and Oli Davies
Nash TV Carp Fishing
Nash TV Carp Fishing
Channel: Nash TV Carp Fishing
Duration: 1 hour 32 minutes
Published: 01/09/2017
Anglers: Alan Blair, Oli Davies
What's up, everyone, and welcome back to the channel! Today, we're diving deep into a film that’s less of a fishing movie and more of an epic, caffeine-fuelled pilgrimage across the European continent. I'm talking about the legendary Eurobanx 3, starring the titans of adventure angling, Alan Blair and Oli Davies. This isn't just about catching fish; it's a raw, unfiltered look at the highs and lows of life on the road when your targets have fins and your home is a gear-stuffed van.
Before we even get to the fishing, the stats alone tell you everything you need to know about the sheer scale of this adventure: 2880 miles driven, 24 Red Bulls consumed, 5 countries visited, and 18 different venues fished. It's a logistical marathon that perfectly captures the chaos, camaraderie, and pure, unadulterated passion that defines modern-day carp fishing. So, grab a brew, get comfy, and let's break down this incredible journey. 🎣🚐
Right from the get-go, Eurobanx 3 establishes its core theme: even the best-laid plans go sideways. The film kicks off with Alan and Oli missing their channel crossing due to a "strategic" Burger King stop. What follows is a five-hour delay that quickly descends into chaos when they discover a box of maggots has exploded somewhere in the depths of their meticulously packed van.
This opening act is crucial. It’s not polished or perfect; it’s real. We see them unloading and reloading the entire van in a ferry port, making friends with fellow delayed travellers, and tying rigs to pass the time. It perfectly sets the stage for a trip where adaptability and a sense of humour are just as important as sharp hooks and good bait.
The first stop is the iconic city of Paris. Guided by their local contact, Sebastien, the lads don't head for a commercial fishery but dive straight into the heart of the city: public park lakes and the mighty River Seine. Their first night sees Alan land a beautiful common from the Seine within 20 minutes of casting out, a testament to the incredible, often-overlooked fishing opportunities hiding in plain sight.
The real prize, however, is a park lake carp with the Eiffel Tower in the background. The initial session is a bust, with bad weather and no fish making them consider leaving. But in true Alan Blair fashion, one last walk around reveals the fish. What follows is a masterclass in persistence. After losing two fish, Alan keeps his cool, adapts his tactics, and lands not one, but two stunning park lake mirrors. The shot of him holding a carp with the Eiffel Tower behind him is the victory moment that defines this chapter. It’s a perfect blend of urban grit and angling beauty.
From France, the adventure turns south for a multi-stop tour of Italy. This section is a whirlwind of changing landscapes and challenging fishing.
The Blue Lake Pitstop: An overnight stop at a beautiful public lake results in a few fish but also some frustrating losses. It's here we get our first major tactical takeaway when Oli advises Alan to switch to a bigger hook for the soft-mouthed French carp.
Bologna & The Mountain Lake: Meeting up with their friend Matteo, they tackle a stunning mountain reservoir. The conditions are brutal, with a sudden temperature drop making the fishing incredibly tough. Alan's restlessness pays off as he explores a back channel and manages to winkle out the only carp caught from the lake during their stay—a hard-earned Italian mirror.
Florence & The River Arno: Under the blistering Tuscan sun, they fish a historic stretch of the River Arno right next to the famous Ponte Vecchio bridge. The heat is oppressive, and the fishing is slow, but their persistence again yields rewards, with Alan banking a couple of small but welcome carp.
Rome & The Urban Brawlers: The final Italian stop is the eternal city, Rome. This is urban angling at its most intense. They tackle a park lake before moving to the powerful river that flows through the city. The fishing is wild, with savage takes and brutal, snag-filled battles. After losing fish on lighter gear, they step up their tackle and are rewarded with some incredible, dark Roman commons against a gritty, urban backdrop. The social element is huge here, with local guides David and Michele making the experience truly special.
Leaving the heat of Italy behind, the film's tone shifts dramatically as they drive north into the breathtaking French Alps. The scenery is spectacular, with turquoise lakes framed by towering mountains. Here, they meet up with friends Bastl and Robin for what becomes the big-fish chapter of the movie.
Bastl, fishing with pop-ups, enjoys an incredible run of fish, culminating in the capture of an absolute monster—a 45lb 8oz mirror carp. The fight is tense, his phone goes into the lake, but the result is pure elation. It’s a fish of a lifetime and a real highlight of the film. While Bastl dominates, Alan turns his attention to stalking in the margins, eventually tempting a stunning Alpine common on tiger nuts over a bed of pellets. This section showcases a different kind of fishing: quieter, more scenic, but with the potential for huge rewards.
The final leg is a mammoth 10-hour drive to Amsterdam. Exhaustion is setting in, but the mood is celebratory. They meet up with Dutch consultant Timon for a session on the city's central canals. The fishing is tough, plagued by bream, which leads to another great tactical tip: switching to double 20mm boilies to avoid the nuisance fish.
The trip concludes not with a quiet session, but with a massive social barbecue on the bank of a huge lake on the city's outskirts. Friends from across Europe gather for good food, laughter, and, of course, a bit more fishing. The film ends with the lads heading to a festival, a perfect, party-fuelled end to an exhausting but amazing adventure. It reinforces the idea that Eurobanx is about community and shared experiences just as much as it is about the fishing itself.