Hello Sylvain, can you introduce yourself to Fishing.news readers?
Hello, my name is Sylvain, I'm 40 and I live in the Loire department. I've been with the Navicom crew for 10 years. I also have other sponsors like Zeck fishing, Mercury marine and BassBoatEurope.
I fish for predators, but my speciality is catfish in various forms.
Can you tell us about your early days in fishing?
Like many people, I began my passion for fishing as a child, starting with trout fishing in streams, followed by carp fishing, and then specializing in catfish fishing for the past 20 years.
When, how and why did you agree to become a Pro-Staff?
I started working with brands when I first started competing in predator fishing, especially catfish, around 2009 with the AFCPL (Association Française des Compétiteurs de Pêche aux Leurres). I joined the Navicom team in 2014 after several years of competition.
It's been a personal process, and you shouldn't hesitate to approach brands you feel passionate about.
What does being an ambassador mean to you?
Being an ambassador means first and foremost conveying a positive image of our passion, whether on the networks or in the field. It also means listening to anglers and giving them the best possible advice. Then, there are different ambassador profiles. In my case, taking part in fishing competitions remains my priority.
What's your fondest memory or anecdote from your time as a Pro-Staff?
There are lots of great memories to be had from fishing, whether it's the trophy fish shared with friends or taking part in competitions where you've done well.
One of our fondest memories is the Loire Silure 2022 Trophy, which my teammate and I won.
What do you think of fishing in France?
Fishing management in France is often disparaged, and certainly rightly so.
I think we need to professionalize the scene, but that would require more financial resources.
One of the keys to achieving this would be to develop a high level of competition with widespread media coverage.
Any advice for anglers who want to join a Pro-Staff team one day?
My main advice would be to ask yourself: what added value can I offer a brand?
