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Hello Hervé, can you introduce yourself to the readers of Fishing.news ?
Hervé Viana -My name is Hervé Viana, I am 36 years old. I fish in the south of France, mainly in the Var.
Jigging is my main technique throughout the year from the shore or boat. I also do some tenya maddai fishing in the middle of winter. I am part of the Kerfil team.
Can you tell us about your early days in fishing?
Hervé Viana -I started fishing with my father, in fresh water from the shore and in canoe to track trout, perch, bream. I discovered sea fishing thanks to my grandfather who was a fisherman.
Then, when I came of age, I took up my passion for the sea full time. I bought a first boat without a license and then a second one until today, in total 4 boats.
When, how and why did you agree to be a Pro-Staff?
Hervé Viana -In 2019, I had the chance to join the Kerfil team, thanks to a retailer in my area who put me in touch with the brand representative, Rodolphe Baubion. The feeling passed and the adventure began.
What does being an ambassador mean to you?
Hervé Viana -For me, joining a fishing team was an opportunity I had never thought of, as I fish for passion. But we quickly got into the game, bringing our experience in the field to find the products that work and are adapted to our sectors. I enjoy testing the equipment in extreme conditions to get the most out of it and to bring a real visibility of the product in fishing conditions, on the sectors where they are presented.
What is your best memory, or anecdote, as a Pro-Staff to share with our readers?
Hervé Viana -One of my most beautiful memories, very recently, but I think it will remain engraved in my memory for a long time. To put you in the mood, we were fishing on a hunt for small pelagics, such as bonito or pelamid, with Kerfil rods (the Scrappy to be exact, a rod in 3-15 g). When instead of taking a pelamide, it is a yellowtail which gobbled the jig!
Today, I can say seriole, because I was able to finish the fight and to finish victorious. But it was far from being won with a braid in 14 hundredths and a bottom in 35 hundredths. The joy was immense on the boat when I saw it spinning under the boat after fifteen long minutes. A fish of 12 kilos on a rod so light leaves inevitably traces.
How do you see the fishing industry in France?
Hervé Viana -I think that fishing in France is taking a good breath of air with the new standards that are more to sport fishing than food fishing, even if nobody forbids himself to keep a catch or two from time to time. The no-kill has become a must in fishing, which is encouraging for the future of the resource, which must be admitted has weakened in recent years. Or maybe the fish have become educated, which is also possible.
The atmosphere between ambassadors or Pro-Staff is very cordial and good-natured, since we share the same values, which are the respect of our catches, of their environment and of the actors who benefit from it, yachtsman as well as professional fishermen.
Any advice for anglers who want to join a Pro-Staff team one day?
Hervé Viana -If one day a young person asks me how to become a Pro-Staff partner of a fishing team, my advice would be to have a fun and regular communication about his trips. You must also respect your fishing environment and the fish, remain humble and human.
We must not forget why we fish, and I don't think it is to get three stickers, but to live and share beautiful moments with friends or family. It is always better to try to understand our environment to better protect it.
