French Fishing Festival hailed as ‘major‘ lift for sprits

As the organiser of the first ever French Fishing Festival ponders its next move, one of the country’s top tackle suppliers has hailed the event as a resounding success.

Franck Rosmann, Product Manager at SERT, which showed off products from its Sakura, Garbolino and Sunset brands, told Angling International: “It was a great success. We were pleasantly surprised by the enthusiasm of the visitors and the motivation of the exhibitors.

“The stands were of a high quality and the organisation was perfectly orchestrated. GIFAP – the French body that represents the industry – FNPF (National Federation of Fishing in France) and CML (Confédération Mer et Liberté) can take great credit.

“In recent years SERT has taken part in numerous store open days and trade shows, but the National Fishing Festival truly stood out and marked the return of major angling events.

“The goal of the organiser was not to create a traditional trade show, but to introduce our passion to members of the public who do not fish in addition to satisfying the needs of fishing enthusiasts.

“The event brought together almost all French-based brands and offered numerous activities, including waterside equipment trials and environmental awareness demonstrations.”

Rosmann added that the goal of SERT was to reconnect with fans of its three brands who have been deprived of shows since the COVID period. “The interaction between the product managers who design the gear and anglers who use it, is very important to us,” he said.

“Given the enthusiasm of visitors for our new products and current ranges, we can say that it was mission accomplished!”

SERT showcased its Spring 2025 and 2026 new releases, which included the Tribble multi-signal soft lure from Sakura (above) which was expected to be released at the end of last month. For Garbolino, the X-Slim Diamant feeder rod attracted the attention of visitors thanks to the innovative textured sections on the butt of the rod.

Also on display was the Dorada Power Sense boat rod from Sunset, which has been in high demand for fishing for sparids due to restrictions on sea bream and bass.

“Although the attendance did not reach the heights expected, the good weather, stunning venue and vibrant atmosphere helped lift the spirits during this challenging economic period. It truly did everyone a lot of good,” said Rosmann.