Hello Julien, can you introduce yourself to the readers of Fishing.news ?
Julien Campadieu - Well hello everyone, my name is julien, I am 36 years old and I am in the area of Lorient. I fish since March 2016, in freshwater and since July 2018 in the sea. In 2017/2018 I was in partnership with the Alcedo store in Lanester, I was then sponsored by the Fiiish brand in March 2019 as well as the Aulona store since March 2022.
Whether in freshwater or in the sea, I generally favor the classic line. It is clearly for me the simplest technique and it has always proven itself. I also like to scrape with light leaded heads, the hits are often quite violent.
Can you tell us about your early days in fishing?
Julien Campadieu - It hasn't always been easy, like many I think, I've been chasing hoods. My first sessions of the year 2016 were for trout. A superb fishery, but one that requires quite a bit of concentration and discretion, something I didn't understand. I then moved on to the opening of the carnivorous, I had to put a little more than a month before making my first pike of about fifty centimeters. I really didn't catch many fish that year.
I did a lot of research during the closed season and challenged myself which allowed me to understand the feeding and behavior of the fish, and to increase the catch considerably.
I switched to a float tube in 2017 and then to my first Hobie Outback kayak in 2019 and finally to a second one this year.
When, how and why did you agree to be a Pro-Staff?
Julien Campadieu - So as I said, I joined the Fiiish team in early 2019. A year earlier, I decide to participate in a contest on social networks, Fiiish invites four people to participate with them in the Barracuda Tour for a day.
A few weeks later, a friend told me that I won the contest. I didn't realize it right away, but when Romain, the communication manager, called me to ask for the details, I said to myself "wow, I'm going to participate in the Barracuda tour with the Fiiish team! I was clearly like a kid.
Once we got there with the other winners, we had a crazy day and evening. I was even lucky enough to pull out a bar that was just under 70 cm, it was amazing!
A few months later, Romain contacted me to propose a sponsoring contract and to know if I was interested. My answer was of course positive, how could I refuse to be sponsored by my favorite brand. Well, I learned at the same time that two weeks later I had to participate in the sea fishing show, suddenly I was disappointed. In five minutes, we go from the fisherman who goes around the stands during the shows and who dreams of being part of a team one day, to the one who is on the other side of the counter presenting "his products". Be careful not to say stupid things, listen to the fishermen, give advice. It is not an easy task and it can quickly become a bit scary.
I accepted anyway, because I love to transmit my knowledge, to help people on certain subjects, and to answer questions about Fiiish products. I also appreciate to allow sometimes some users to have a direct access to the brand for remarks or others.
What does being an ambassador mean to you?
Julien Campadieu - For me, being an ambassador means listening to others and especially to the users of the brand. It doesn't mean that we are the best, at least, I don't think so anymore. However, we may have a way of thinking, of reasoning and of communicating that allows us to maintain a good relationship between fishermen and brands.
What is your best memory, or anecdote, as a Pro-Staff to share with our readers?
Julien Campadieu - There are so many, the Ambassador camp, the shows... But clearly the Barracuda tour must be done at least once in a lifetime. A crazy atmosphere, boats with magnificent coverings, many spectators, many teams, fish, incredible spots... We simply let go and enjoy ourselves!
How do you see the fishing industry in France?
Julien Campadieu - I find that some fishermen take themselves way too seriously. It's always the one who wins over someone else with a bigger or longer fish. Whether it is in France or elsewhere, we saw it again recently in an American competition with black bass. It is clear that some people do not fish to fish anymore.
Our greatest French fishermen are the opposite of all that, they don't care about what's around. It's all about fishing, the idea is to have fun at the water's edge. I also think that for freshwater, we should be a bit more up to date and align ourselves with our neighboring countries for night fishing or reproduction periods.
Fishing is a great pastime, suitable for the whole family. Whether from the shore or from a boat, it is relatively easy to practice. Depending on the level or the type of fish sought, it will be more or less expensive. Of course, if you want to improve and optimize the time/fish ratio, you have to understand a little bit how they work, but especially how and what they feed on.
As for the sponsorship world, it's super cool as long as you stay humble and continue to enjoy catching fish. Like a lot of us, I think, between 4 and 6 months of sponsorship, I had a moment where I wasn't fishing for myself anymore, but for the brand. I was only going fishing to take pictures, not necessarily to enjoy myself. That's when it's important to refocus on the main goal in order to provide more interesting content.
Any advice for anglers who want to join a Pro-Staff team one day?
Julien Campadieu - Be yourself, don't look for sponsorship absolutely, fish for yourself. Anglers today are looking to be sponsored so they don't have to pay for gear, but unfortunately it doesn't quite work that way. You have to understand that there is work behind it.
If one day you manage to be sponsored the main thing is to remain humble, not to underestimate the other fishermen, because they will be perhaps as good as you, even better...
