In the center of Toulouse, on the quays or along the canals, the practice of urban fishing is surfacing. Mixed between joggers and passers-by, these outdoor sports enthusiasts are introduced to the city landscape.
Perch, Achigans and Pike, Toulouse waters are full of fish. They even become a real playground for urban fishing enthusiasts. Matthieu, one of them, became a small local celebrity in the community. With his Youtube videos, he introduced this modern practice to Toulouse residents.
“There is nothing serious, I do this only for fun” defends the fisherman from Toulouse. However ; his shots can sometimes exceed 80 cm, his videos reach thousands of views. It must be said that there is beginning to be a small community.
Fishing spots, right in the city center, were taken by storm. On the list, the Canal du Midi, the Port Saint-Sauveur district and even Lake Compans. For Cédric, another follower of the practice “it’s a real chance to live in a big city and to be able to practice this sport there”.
Fishermen like Matthieu or Cédric, at the beginning, were worried about “city looks”. They were quickly surprised. At each session, passers-by stop to discuss the practice. There is a real curiosity but also a lot of sympathy for this hobby. “Social interactions are also the basics of fishing,” says Matthieu.
One of the main questions raised by this urban practice remains the consumption of fish. Urban fishermen practice “No-Kill”. An Anglo-Saxon tradition which consists in releasing everything. Thus, the catches do not end up at the bottom of a net, let alone on the plate.
The notion of sharing is also important for this small community. Good fish haunts are known to all enthusiasts. There is no secrecy or competition. Matthieu explains: “sport is evolving, there are more exchanges”. Thus, the practitioners do not hesitate to advise each other on the subject or even to meet during a session.
Urban fishing enthusiasts remain the first witnesses to the effects of pollution. With, for example, the discharge of sewage from barges, fish become vulnerable. The funds are also contaminated by the various wastes thrown. Sometimes fishermen find totally funny catches. A few days ago, Cédric found himself with a suitcase abandoned at the end of the hook.
One of Matthieu’s urban fishing videos on his youtube page:
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