There are some serious French fishermen who take part. Some travel over 50 kilometres. The nice thing is that all have become very good friends and both my wife and I are invited to all sorts of social gatherings. All because we have taken the time to intergrate into the French way of life. Home is where the heart is and having lived here for 26 years we are home.a small French club I am a member of does a couple of "matches" each year. Basically 3 hours fishing either side of a big lunch and a game of boules for the anglers and their familes followed by a prize giving ceremoney over some more food and drinks.
I am literally the only person who joins it for the fishing rather than the social aspect !