Hello Stéphane, can you introduce yourself to the readers of Fishing.news ?
Stéphane Montailler - Hello ! My name is Stéphane Montailler, I am 47 years old and I fish exclusively in fresh water. I am from Angers and I fish mainly our local rivers. I also have the possibility to go frequently on the lakes of the Landes region in search of the big zebrafish, my favorite fish.
I've been part of the Rodhouse team for 5 years, although I was involved with the brand long before that. I put my first rod together 10 years ago. I am a versatile fisherman, and the so-called "scratch fishing" techniques are my favorite.
I like to fish with soft lures using different techniques such as linear, vertical, diagonalâ?¦ I mainly look for perch and zander. Tracking perch requires the use of other techniques such as surface fishing, jigging, swimming fish. Ãeuros each technique its dedicated equipment, hence my coming to the rodbuildingâeuros¦.
Can you tell us about your beginnings in fishing?
Stéphane Montailler - Like many, I discovered fishing when I was a kid, fishing for catfish in my grandfather's pond. Then I gave it up for about ten years, preferring basketball games and outings with friendsâ?¦
It is only once arrived in the active life, towards the age of 25 years when during a dinner, a friend proposes to me to pass to see him at the edge of water, at the time of the opening of the fishing of the carnassiers. When I got there, I saw my friend, water up to his waist, two pike-perch in the water, roped up at the foot of a willow tree (the notions of no-kill and animal welfare were relative at the time), the rods lined up, I loved the atmosphere.
My friend introduced me to lure fishing, two months later I bought my first rod, and I haven't stopped fishing since that day.
When, how and why did you agree to be a Pro-Staff?
Stéphane Montailler - As mentioned earlier, I was involved in rodbuilding long before I became a Rodhouse Pro-Staff. About 10 years ago I was looking for a particular blank to fish for zander. I am a person who loves technique and gear as a tool. During the Nantes sea fishing show, I discovered Rodhouse and I quickly assembled my first rod with a friend, Baptiste. To assemble its rod, a revelation that I will share within my club, under the line "hey the buddies, that says to you that I show you how one assembles a rod? It was a crazy thing 10 years ago.
With my friend Baptiste, we will spread the word within the club, and develop the rodbuilding in Angers. This friend, Baptiste, talented fisherman, spotted very early by Goulven and already in the Rodhouse team, talked about me suggesting him to make me enter the team for my investment towards the brand, my qualities of demonstrator, and my ability to convince. I was invested, active on the Rodhouse forum, and always ready to help the fishermen who wanted to build their first rod, to make a basket on the siteâeuros¦
It was during a trade show in Clermont that Goulven sent me a little message like "hey, do you want to be part of the team? I was very touched to receive this proposal, to have the opportunity to represent the company of Goulven.
I accepted to be a Pro-Staff to show my commitment to Rodhouse and its concept, to ride his rod to go further in his hobby, to understand his fishing, to understand the functioning of a blank. This proposal was also a mark of recognition from Goulven, which touched me a lot. To be officially part of this team of carbon fanatics, it was to go further in my hobby, to get acquainted with fishermen with diverse and varied experiences, and the possibility to continue to progress.
What does being an ambassador mean to you?
Stéphane Montailler - Being an ambassador is above all representing a brand, it is a responsibility. You represent the brand on the field or on the networks, it implies to have an irreproachable line of conduct and in agreement with the values and the line of conduct of the brand.
Your best memory, or anecdote, as a Pro-Staff to share with our readers?
Stéphane Montailler - There are many, like looking into the eyes of a fisherman who takes in hand his first Rodhouse rod. But my most beautiful memory, or rather, my most beautiful success, is to have made come to my place, one Saturday morning, 6 fishermen completely novices in the assembly of rod, and to see them leaving the evening with their assembled rod! In fact, the only thing left to do was to put on the varnishâeuros¦
Still with Baptiste, I transformed my garage into a rod assembly workshop! Big tables, assembly benches lent by friends, barbecue at noon, it was a real challenge! And a winning challenge! An unforgettable day.
How do you see the fishing industry in France?
Stéphane Montailler - I don't do politics, publicly at least. This is a vast and technical subject, I leave it to the specialists of this question to debate.
Any advice for anglers who want to join a Pro-Staff team one day?
Stéphane Montailler - Being a Pro-Staff is a commitment. That commitment usually starts long before the opportunity arrives. It's time to devote to the brand, presence in the field or on social networks.
