When entrepreneurship and passion meet, it often results in exceptional and quality products. In the fishing world, there are many doors of access for those who wish to invest themselves. This is the case of Alexis Dumonteil who chose to transform his passion for rodbuilding into a profession.
Hello Alexis, first of all, tell us about the fisherman!
Hello Thierry!
I am a big fan of freshwater lure fishing and for a few months, sea fishing.
This passion was transmitted to me by Roland Limoges, my maternal grandfather. At the time, I started my adventure at the age of 5 years old on the banks of the Indre. A river near Châteauroux, my home town. It is a beautiful region with many lakes, ponds and rivers.
My father was then transferred to the South West and we settled in Gujan-Mestras. My passion then grew with these new fabulous biotopes mixed with maritime pines, dead wood and this clear water.
Then in 2013, I lost my grandfather. The best tribute I could pay him was to perpetuate this passion passed on 8 years earlier.
I like to fish all kinds of carnivorous fish. Whether in the sea with bass or in fresh water with pike, perch. But what I like above all is the black bass. A mythical fish loved by all the fishermen of the world for its power and its nervousness. To get a black bass in our area, you have to earn it. And you have to know how to adapt your technique according to what the fish is looking for and it is not always easy. But it is this difficulty that constantly rekindles the flame of passion that I feel for this fish once caught.
What is your educational background?
I am a graduate of a baccalaureate MELEC which stands for Métier de l'Électricité et de ses Environnements Connectés. These are simply the basics in electricity.
And now tell us about Alexis the entrepreneur! When and how did rodbuidling go from your passion to your job?
I have always been attracted to beautiful equipment for 9 years now. During these 9 years, I have accumulated equipment of all brands. I have also tried a lot of them. Eternal dissatisfied that I am, I never found something that suited me.
In early 2018, I interacted with a great rodbuilder who taught me a lot. I then learned about this fabulous concept, rodbuilding. At first, I was not very excited about this concept. So I wanted to try it by ordering a custom made rod. A month of waiting went by. Once I received the cane and tried it, it was a real shock. The shock of the very precise and beautiful finish. Everything was perfect. And above all, the unbeatable feeling when casting, the touches, the resonance and the precision. I was won over. I sold all my rods.
Afterwards, I met Stéphane Montailler, a Rodhouse prostaff I met at the Magdeleine lake in Gujan. My favorite spot. He was passing by, and he proposed me an initiation to rodbuilding one morning of November 2018. Following this great initiation, I ordered my rod the same evening. It was the beginning of a great adventure. Thanks again to Stéphane.
One thing leading to another, I created my concept, my pieces. And everything you know today.
You have another passion for watchmaking, it seems! How does it influence your job?
One of my great passions indeed. Why? For this refinement that is hypnotizing. When I look at a watch, it inspires me. Its colors, its shapes, its patterns. All these details fascinate me. They fascinate me so much that all my pieces are inspired by them and you have no idea for the next series to come. I like very much the Swiss watches of big manufactures and also the Japanese watches.
What are your goals? Luxury?
The goal is to make the most beautiful and desirable canes ever created. In the future I plan to use inlaid precious metals or noble materials. I also have a lot of ideas on the technical level with concepts that I intend to develop.
What is your philosophy, what guides you?
I have an avant-garde spirit. I always want to do better and always go further.
What guides me is the path of exclusivity. I want my cane to be unique and unobtainable elsewhere. This exclusivity already involves many manufacturing processes that only exist on an industrial scale and that I have brought down to my level.
It also goes through my numerous suppliers that I thank. It is also thanks to them that I can realize my project and especially Rodhouse who provides me with exceptional blanks which for the most part are reworked.
What is your current range?
I have a series of rods called Intense for the freshwater range and Intense Ocean Dweller for the sea.
These ranges are further divided into sub-ranges called Intense S, Intense GT, Intense Ocean Dweller S and Intense Ocean Dweller GT. The letters following the name of the range refer to the type of materials used for the handles. The price varies according to these materials.
There are also many options for finishes, colors and shades.
Any plans for 2022?
I am launching the GTS and GTS Type II range which will be the half EVA half Cork handle option.
There are also 5 new cork finish options and several new EVA colors. I add 7 new colors, for the finish of the reel seat and the front of the rod, from luxury car tint.
There will be soon the RS range which will be followed by the RSR, RSX, which will be the most high-end range in terms of technology. All the ergonomic handles will be in carbon.
Finally, I am developing the range of parts and handles for future fly, feeder, carp and exotic rods.
In 2023, I am launching the "Prestige" project which will be the range of rods above the Intense series. This will be followed by the "Absolute Luxury" project, which I am keeping secret for the moment.
