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 work 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 started 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 beginning, 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 edge on any type of environment (river, lake, body of water) according to the expectations of the fishermen and the conditions of the moment. I also offer coarse fishing, more particularly fishing in carpodrome. Fishing oh so fun! I am lucky to live in a region which has a great 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 special?

Located in the very east of the country, close to Switzerland, with Besançon as its capital, Franche-Comté is made up of the departments of Doubs, Haute Saône, Jura and the Territoire de Belfort. Rich in varied landscapes, very wooded, confusing the heights of the mountains with the flat plain, the region has multiple rivers both in 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 carpodromes. What excites you most about these two types of fishing that everything seems to oppose?

I don't see fishing through different opposing aspects (technical or otherwise), on the contrary, far from considering them as opposites, I consider these complementary approaches. I started with coarse fishing, I fished trout, a little carp, catfish, whitefish, predators, all these approaches allowed me to progress as a fisherman. Let me explain: for example, the fact of coarse fishing with a big rod forces you to be precise, well organized, patient, orderly, meticulous etc… things that are useful to you in all the other techniques. Each technique can help you or make you progress on 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, fishable 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 direct my choices towards this or that species.

What is your view of fisheries management in France?

Very attached to its traditions, France remains a country where the practice of fishing suffers from a lack of attention on the part of the public authorities. Lack of solidarity, means and consideration are detrimental to the good management of the halieutic heritage. Sometimes unfairly associated with leisure and idleness, fishing does not find its true place as an economically viable and attractive activity in terms of tourism. Fishermen, associations, federations, public authorities, efforts still have 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 inherent in it. And of course, when I'm not guiding, I'm fishing so I'm 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 emotional tears 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 don't really know… Today everyone pretends to be 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 little known and little rooted in mentalities. Federation, politicians, associations, fishing shops etc… everyone should play the “guiding France” card in order to promote our activity.

What is your type of clientele? What is she looking for behind your offers?

summer,  many holidaymakers want to spend a pleasant day on the water, and quite a few young people on float-tube initiations too. I also have a lot of experienced anglers who still want to improve on a particular approach or technique. Also many customers who want to try to catch “the pike of their life“. I have a fairly varied clientele and the services are as well. 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 many things 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 in-store events and  events such as trade fairs.

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

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

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

As far as guides are concerned, I will try to keep up 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 best fishing memory?

So there, joker! By fishing about 250 times a year and having done so for over 10 years, I have accumulated quite a few. Really difficult/impossible to keep just one. My first outings with my father, my first pike, my first pole competitions, the victories in competitions with Pierrot, my first 60 bass, 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 make them catch their first fish and teach them the fundamentals. Another memorable memory that will remain engraved: the capture of a 124cm pike by Nicolas. Tears and emotions were part of it. This is why I became a guide, to share and bring to life moments of emotion and unforgettable moments!

A message to convey 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, zander, catfish. From the edge, 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.

Discover Lionel Fumagalli's guiding offers: