Lionel Fumagalli, fishing guide instructor in Franche-Comté

Discover the portrait of Lionel Fumagalli, fishing guide instructor in Franche-Comté and specialist in predator fishing.

Hello Lionel, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers before starting?

Hello,

My name is Lionel Fumagalli. I am 33 years old. I live in Montagney, a small village in Haute-Saône (70). I have always been a fisherman and I have been a fishing guide instructor for 1 year.

I practice my profession in the Bourgogne Franche-Comté region which offers a very varied fishing territory. I also guide abroad, in Holland and Ireland.

Where does your passion for fishing come from?

The origin of this passion goes back to my childhood. Coming from a family where fishing was the main hobby, it was with my father that I began to survey the banks of the surrounding rivers.

The nature and freedom aspect that accompanies this practice has firmly and definitively anchored this passion in me.

Today, fishing is synonymous for you ... 

Synonymous with pleasure and sharing, it's more than just a passion, it's a way of life. From the start, my life has revolved around fishing.

What fishing techniques do you offer and in which region (s) in particular?

Whether for discovery, initiation, improvement or any other type of offer, I offer fishing for predators with lures in boat, in float-tube or from the shore on any type of environment (river, lake, body of water) depending on the expectations of fishermen and the conditions at the time. I also offer coarse fishing, more particularly fishing in carpodrome. Oh how fun fishing! I am lucky to live in a region which has a beautiful diversity of lakes and rivers such as the Doubs, the Saône, the Ognon or the lakes of Vouglans, Remoray, Saint Point etc ...

For those who have never fished in Franche-Comté, could you tell us a little more about your region and what makes it so special?

Located in the far east of the country, neighboring Switzerland, having Besançon as its capital, Franche-Comté is made up of the departments of Doubs, Haute Saône, Jura and Territoire de Belfort. Rich in varied landscapes, very wooded, confusing the heights of the mountains with the flat of the plain, the region has multiple rivers in both second and first category. It is also dotted with multiple lakes. This region offers a most interesting hydrographic network where most species of freshwater fish are present.

As you have just explained, you offer quite different services, both from predator guides to lures but also coarse fishing in the carpodrome. What excites you the most about these two types of fishing that everything seems to oppose?

I do not see fishing through different opposing aspects (technical or other), on the contrary, far from considering them as opposites I consider these complementary approaches. I started with coarse fishing, I fished for trout, a little carp, catfish, whitefish, predators, all of these approaches allowed me to progress as a fisherman. Let me explain: for example, the fact of coarse fishing requires you to be precise, well organized, patient, orderly, meticulous etc… things which are useful to you in all the other techniques. Each technique can help you or make you progress over another.

Do you still have a favorite fish? 

Difficult to decide, but if I had to choose one, I would say black-bass. Sport fish par excellence, fished with a multitude of techniques, his research allowed me to understand lure fishing in its diversity and complexity. Although it remains my favorite fish, it is the seasons and the conditions of the moment that guide my choices towards this or that species.

So what is your view on fisheries management in France?

Very attached to its traditions, France remains a country where the practice of fishing suffers from a deficit of attention on the part of the public authorities. Lack of solidarity, resources and consideration are detrimental to the good management of the fishing heritage. Sometimes unfairly associated with leisure and idleness, fishing does not find its true place as an economically viable and attractive activity for tourism. Fishermen, associations, federations, public authorities, efforts still need to be made for a better future.

Why did you choose to do this job?

Make my passion my job by putting my experience and my knowledge at the service of others, while sharing the simple pleasures of fishing and the values that are inherent to it. And of course, when I'm not guiding, I am fishing so I am on the water almost every day of the year and I like that!

What appeals to you the most today in your job as a fishing guide?

The smile of a child after catching his first fish, the tears of emotion of a fisherman after catching the pike of his life. Simply the fact of sharing good times on the water with my fishermen.

How do you see the profession of fishing guide guide evolving?

I'm not sure… Today everyone improvises as a fishing guide. I would like a more selective professionalization (training, diploma). Fishing guide is a real profession. It's not  a job just to make ends meet.  In France, compared to other countries, this profession is still unknown and little anchored in mentalities. Federation, politicians, associations, fishing shops etc… everyone should play the “France guide” card in order to promote our activity.

What is your type of clientele? What are you looking for behind your offers?

Summer,  many holidaymakers want to spend a pleasant day on the water, quite a few young people in float-tube initiations too. I also have a lot of experienced fishermen who still want to improve on a particular approach or technique. Also a lot of customers who want to try to take “the pike of their life”. I have a fairly varied clientele and so are the services. If I had to remember something I would say that most of my fishermen want above all to have a good time at the water's edge while learning as much as possible in order to be as independent as possible afterwards.

How do these people hear about you?

Word of mouth, social networks, website etc… I also did a lot of communication in tourist offices, campsites and fishing shops. I also do activities in stores and  events such as trade fairs.

What qualities do you think are required to be a good guide?

In my opinion, the main quality of being a good guide is knowing how to adapt. Adapting means listening to your fisherman (s) according to their expectations and desires, but also according to their level of fishing. It is also necessary to be punctual, well organized, to like being at the service of others, to be a good teacher. In short, you have to be professional. 

Do you have any future projects you would like to tell us about?

Regarding the guides, I will try to keep the momentum of the first year while offering new services such as trout fishing with lures. For the rest, business to follow ...

What is your fondest fishing memory?

So there, joker! By fishing about 250 times a year and this for over 10 years, I have accumulated a few. Really difficult / impossible to keep only one. My first outings with my father, my first pike, my first stroke competitions, the overall victories with Pierrot, my first bass of 60, a sunset in the Lofotens Islands, fishing trips with my wife, tears of joy and emotions of some, boat trips with friends. The list could be very long! I am very attached to memories, I feed on memories.

What is also your fondest memory as a guide?

I've only been guiding for a year but I already have a lot of good memories. For example, I did two days with a recreation center, some of the children had never fished. What a pleasure to have them catch their first fish and teach them the basics. Another memorable memory that will remain engraved: the catch of a 124cm pike by Nicolas. Tears and emotions were there. This is why I became a guide, to share and bring to life moments of emotions and unforgettable moments!

A message to pass on to those who would like to discover fishing in Franche-Comté or elsewhere?

Franche-Comté is a superb region with a rich and varied fishing territory. Pike, perch, black bass, trout, carp, pike perch, catfish. From shore, by float-tube, by boat. In lake, river or pond. There is something for every taste !

Thanks

I would like to thank: my parents, my wife, the friends who believed in me, the people who trust me, the Moulin de Sauvage, rodmaps for this interview, my partners, Philippe, Thomas, Pierrot, Ben, Manu, Serge , Nico, Virgile, Flo and the others.

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