THE BIG INTERVIEW: RAPALA’S MARK FISHER ‘‘
Spreading out tournament locations is always refreshing and something that will attract anglers from varying locations and angling backgrounds
Chris L: USA competition anglers, look a lot like racing drivers when they’re getting ready to fish, how much of a pro-anglers time is spent working the crowds, rather than working the lures? I guess it’s not all glamour and fast boats.
MArK: It’s all part of the deal… passion driven. These anglers are a direct connection to the companies they represent. That professionalism comes with a lot of preparation and personal sacrifice that nobody ever sees, and yet they make time to do it all.
Chris L: Part of the long-term future of the WPC is to engage the USA angling community and get them to come and compete in Europe, and once we have established that, to come and try our hand in the USA. A kind of Ryder cup of predator angling, how do you think the American anglers will view the competition?
MArK: The concept is interesting and certainly presents some unique opportunities. I personally like the twist of the multi-specie format. Spreading out tournament locations is always refreshing and something that will attract anglers from varying locations and angling backgrounds.
FIELD OF DREAMS
differently from the other. A variety of species can be found throughout the system, leaving isolated areas to hold better quality fish. Certainly, weather always plays a huge role, as can water temperatures in certain times of the year, particularly to move the fish around or hold them back to a specific location.
Chris L:The USA seems to have hundreds of TV fishing channels, does this level of exposure lead directly into the prize money and the ability of anglers to turn pro, or is it just a part that includes, writing, appearances, sponsorship, PR and consultancy?
MArK: Fishing is the easiest part of being a professional angler. Professional tournament anglers are some of the hardest working people you’ll ever meet. The perception of what goes on at a
tournament or viewed on a TV show is a small segment of their daily life duties and commitment. Making a living with skills on the water alone won’t make ends meet. Developing working sponsorships and exposing yourself to promotional opportunities as they arise, can keep you on the water fishing. It’s understanding that there is a balance
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where the fishing is the cream on the rest of the milk, you can’t have one without the other.
Chris L:As someone who’s been in the trade for a fair while, I have always admired the fact that there is a fishing levy or tax on tackle sold in the USA that goes back directly into the angling environment, waters and fish stocking etc. We are a long way off that enlightened approach in Europe, how can we make progress towards implementing that?
MArK:This was a joint venture of concerned anglers, manufacturers and government agencies striving to responsibly maintain and preserve a way of life for future anglers to enjoy.
Chris L: Mark, I’d like to thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to answer a pesky journalist, it has certainly be enlightening, and I am looking forward to the day when we see you over here showing us how it’s done! So, my final question, which is once again
about the future. I have always seen a future in a Europe wide professional ‘tournament circuit’, we have bass in France, Italy, Spain and a few other countries, pike (Northerns) right across the continent, zander and perch too. If we got the infra-structure right, with sponsorship, venues and prizes, would any of the USA pro-anglers be tempted to come and show us how it’s done?
MArK: I’m sure you could get some good feedback from a few anglers here. Basically, the greatest hurdle is the availability of time and conflicts in scheduling. We all would enjoy the challenge and opportunity to compete in such a great event as the WPC. Best of luck again! n
WORLDPREDATORCLASSIC.COM
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