Hello Lionel, can you introduce yourself to Fishing.news readers?
Hello everyone, I'm Lionel Chevalier, 52 years old. I currently live in central France, in the Cher department to be precise. I've been a Suzuki Fishing Team ambassador for 6 years now.
I fish for predators with lures in most French waters, in lakes as well as a few rivers. But also in the waters of other countries such as the Netherlands, Ireland and Spain, where I spent a few years fishing as a consultant on the great lakes of Extremadura. As well as on much more remote fishing trips, such as peacockbass in the Amazon with my sons and some of my great friends (Ryusuke and Tristan...).
I've taken part in quite a few competitions in France and abroad (Netherlands and Spain) at various levels with different results. The most important result for me (with Tristan) was winning the PREDATORTOUR in the Netherlands in 2019, in front of 120 teams from all over Europe.
I'm also a brand ambassador for Navicom, Hearty Rise and Babyface, with whom I have a very pleasant and friendly relationship, and whose products suit me perfectly too.
Can you tell us about your early days in fishing?
This passion for fishing began very early in my childhood, and I think I remember my first moments with a fishing rod at the water's edge must have been around the age of 5 or 6. In those days, I went fishing with my great-uncle and great-aunt, retiring every Wednesday and Sunday of every week, "whatever the weather", during the open seasons. After that, my passion diversified with competitive spearfishing, followed by a short period of carp fishing, and finally lure fishing for predators on boats.
The latter began, not far from 20 years ago, with a 2.50 m boat that I had kindly upgraded for lure fishing. This was followed by a gradual "enlargement" of the boats. Then, 14 years ago, my son Mayeul and I started competing in boats on the French circuit, familiarizing ourselves with the different water areas as we went along. All these years have seen us evolve in our technique and approach.
Then came the time to cross borders and try my hand at competitions in Spain and the Netherlands... All these steps enabled me to meet people who helped me evolve in fishing, some of whom have since become friends, and not only in fishing.
When, how and why did you agree to become a Pro-Staff?
I joined the Suzuki team in 2019, following the sponsorship of my friend Ryusuke, who had to go back to Japan, and who advised me and put me in touch with the Suzuki team, with whom I got on very well. Their values relating to the individual are very important, and the result is a very family-like and straightforward relationship. So agreeing to become part of such a partnership philosophy, while at the same time sharing with people the equipment on offer and everything that goes with it, was a natural step in the direction I think I'm promoting.
What does being an ambassador mean to you?
Being an ambassador means sharing the real feeling you have with the product, and being a person responsible for the commitment you make. It's also a source of pride to carry and promote such a world-renowned brand, and to do my part in promoting these robust, quiet and economical engines. It's a real pleasure to be able to use these engines and explain their various features, as well as answering questions asked at boat shows, on the water and on social networks.
What's your fondest memory or anecdote from your time as a Pro-Staff?
My fondest memory is undoubtedly winning the PREDATORTOUR 2019 in the first year of our collaboration with Suzuki. It was an absolutely wonderful and memorable moment to have been able to place the brand so high on Europe's biggest and most important carnivorous competition. A memory to last a lifetime.
What do you think of fishing in France?
It's not necessarily easy to take a precise look at fishing in France, because the management of different environments is not all the same and doesn't necessarily meet everyone's expectations. Good things are being done, I think, more and more, and so much the better, but others are more random and leave us a little in doubt.
Fishing is a natural and simple passion, and we need to keep it that way. We need to find a way to encourage constructive exchanges between the various players.
Any advice for anglers who want to join a Pro-Staff team one day?
For me, you have to go fishing by sharing your passion with all those who want to talk about it, by exchanging with the utmost simplicity and with an ability to remain so in all cases. And of course, knowledge of the products for which you're an ambassador must be good and fair.
The most important thing is to have fun fishing, and to give pleasure by sharing this passion with young and old alike, but always with simplicity, kindness and honesty.
