Multi-award winner warns: ‘Outside forces are against us’

European show debutant Vagner Corporation made a stunning entrance on the European stage with four awards in the Angling International LIVE Product Showcase.

But the owner of the business, Jakub Vagner, took a step away from the celebrations to look into the future and the real battles facing the sport.

“There are two big problems facing recreational fishing. The first – and biggest – is the decline in youth participation. If there are no children in any field, then it is just a timebomb waiting to go off. The second is the extremist ‘conservation‘ organisations that see fishermen as tyrants to all living things. Outside forces are against us and we need to unite to save the sport.

“In many countries their power is growing and fishermen are not doing much to defend themselves. A typical example is in Germany. I do not want to be a prophet of gloom, but in many places I fear we may see a ban on sportfishing in the future.”

Vagner says that the future lies with fishermen. “It all depends on how anglers and the industry come together in the future. It is a strange time when everything and anything has to be super correct and it spreads like a cancer throughout society. At the same time, the most important thing is commonsense, which our ancestors used.

“We have to devote much of our time to encouraging youngsters to fish, which at the moment is not being done. You only have to visit the fishing fairs around Europe to see how many children are there. Then you worry. It is important to unite in this direction and devote ourselves to the education of the next generation of fishermen.

“Supporting clubs and associations, giving a percentage of profits to kids’ fishing or even employing a kids’ brand ambassador are ideas that could help, but if the industry does nothing fishing is in danger.”

Vagner Corporation dominated the first-ever Angling International Product Showcase. Its roll of honour included:

•  Vagner UV Skin, Apparel & General
•  Vagner Magic V-Baitcast 10, Spinning & Baitcasting rod
•  Vagner Bagrus 5000, Spinning & Baitcasting reel
• Best Innovation

“I thought getting a runner-up prize would be great and a reward and motivation for our entire team,” said Vagner. “I did not expect four winners’ awards. We are a very small company in a huge and global competition. It made me incredibly happy – it is great to feel that people appreciate your work. It gives you a very warm feeling. But I am mainly happy for the whole Vagner tribe. These awards belong to all the people who are part of it. Without them it would not be possible.

“We try to build our products on our own development terms. This includes maximum quality and long-term testing before we put anything into final production. But we are still at the beginning. Coming up with products that don’t exist is very challenging and that is the direction in which we are headed right now.”

Currently the main export markets for the Vagner Corporation are Slovakia, Poland, Germany and France. However, Vagner says the quality growth of a company always depends on human resources. “You can have the best products, but if you don’t have top quality people in a new market success is uncertain. If you find people who carry out their profession out of passion, then the chances of success are so much greater.

“We are now looking for such people all over Europe. We must not forget why we started out in fishing – it was out of passion.”

The Vagner Corporation is focused on catfishing. Explains Vagner: “The species is the largest and strongest freshwater fish in Europe, but 20 years ago only a handful of people specialised in hunting them. Their life and how to catch them was shrouded by secrets and mystery. We lacked the knowledge to fish for them. Today, thanks to social media networks fishing for catfish is so much easier. Quality equipment, locations, information and fishing guides are available throughout Europe.

“People like to catch what floats in their home waters, and as the catfish population grows it is becoming increasingly clear that the market will also increase.”

Vagner added that following a successful first-ever Angling International LIVE show in Budapest, he is already looking forward to a repeat in Bratislava next year. “My entire team and I were very satisfied with the fair. The whole event was well run and the organiser’s care for our comfort and satisfaction was omni-present. The atmosphere among exhibiting companies was perfect.

“I always try not to have exaggerated expectations before a show so I don’t get unnecessarily disappointed. I have experienced a lot in the fishing industry so I prefer to be pleasantly surprised. My goal at the show was to get new distributors for the Vagner fishing brand and as far as that was concerned, I succeeded.”