Hello Jean-Christophe, can you introduce yourself to the readers of Fishing.news ?
Jean-Christophe Barbier -I studied biology in the environment, I was director of the Alti Monti store in Ajaccio for 18 years. I am now a fishing guide since 6 years. I am an islander, mountain man and fisherman.
I have been fishing for 40 years and I have been involved in the AAPPMA of Gravona since 2002 as president and then as a guide and project manager.
Why did you become a fishing guide?
Jean-Christophe Barbier -Life is amazing, my desire for nature has always been present in my hobbies, but especially in my different jobs. After having managed a sports store in the wilderness locked up while your friends and customers are outside and you between 4 walls. My desire for space led me to other professional desires: what do I know how to do best?
I know my island very well, it has a soul, it is wild, complex, human, rebellious. These feelings, I would like to make them feel. Fishing is a passion, but also a pretext to work where I actually have to be. What was difficult to admit is in fact obvious.
I had to work in the mountains or fishing with the memory of my father with whom I spent so many Sundays. Fishing guide, it's all at the same time.
What kind of guidance products do you offer?
Jean-Christophe Barbier -Most of my work is in rivers, with fly fishing, natural baits and lures.
I also guide at sea, from the shore with lures in shore jigging, but also in isofishing.
Guiding for beginners, advanced, for the day or for a stay in my gite in Corsica near Ajaccio. I go everywhere in Corsica according to the conditions. I have a soft spot for the search of the Macrostigma and the joy that it gives to the fishermen who make it rise on their dry.
What does being a fishing guide mean to you?
My vision of the guide, in Corsica, is not based only on fishing. The transmission is done by the main support which is our island. In fact, I give a small glimpse of what Corsica offers us, then I open the doors to an accessible paradise, then it does the job. In return, you just have to respect it and it is a successful guidance.
Do you fish or not fish when you are guiding?
Jean-Christophe Barbier -When I'm guiding, I don't fish much unless I'm asked to. I stick to it to apply the advice or to demonstrate that such technique works well. I don't fish, to take care of my angler, his safety, to optimize the potential of the site.
What do you do when you are not guiding?
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I have another professional activity, I work part-time at Decathlon in the fishing department.
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I am in charge of a fishing association
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I try to fish for myself and with my friends, my children.
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I'm scouting to be always on the lookout for new sites.
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I try to be there for my family as much as possible, as it is a time-consuming job.
What is your view on guiding in France?
Jean-Christophe Barbier -The place of guiding in France is progressing, but we start from very far. Our role is not used enough for the youth, in order to develop in them the awakening and the conscience to the protection of the resource. We are still little considered and little known by the public. It's a job and a difficult job, we are qualified sports educators with a lot of responsibilities. We work a lot of hours, travelling, communicating, researching.
7 years ago, I asked to be trained at the job center to be a fishing guide. It was very funny, but also pathetic. I was told, "Sir, training, not a hobby!"
What advice would you give to people who would like to start this adventure?
Jean-Christophe Barbier -If you are interested in this job, do it with passion, otherwise it can't work. You have to know your territory well. It takes time to develop a clientele and to become known. Be careful not to count on a large income, especially at the beginning. Have a sufficient physical preparation.
As a fisherman what is your dream?
Jean-Christophe Barbier -My dream of fishing is a wild Corsica with a management of its environment without excess. The quality and the number of fishes are not made by putting fry and surplus fishes, but by protecting the patrimony while integrating the fishermen or the other actors.
The no kill is a possibility on a land like Corsica. One day, ecologists, fishermen and hunters will understand each other. We are false friends, but our enemy is the excess of human power over its territory.
In any case, I intend to enjoy it as long as possible.
