When you picture Paris, France, you probably imagine the Eiffel Tower, sidewalk cafés, high fashion and romantic walks along the Seine. But for Emma Greset, the City of Light offers something else entirely: a place to cast a line.
Between tourists snapping photos, bustling city streets and the occasional marriage proposal happening behind her, Emma can often be found with a fishing rod in hand, chasing her next catch in one of the world’s most recognizable cities.
And sometimes, what she pulls out of the water isn’t exactly what she expected.
“One minute there’s a romantic proposal happening behind you, the next you’re pulling a random object (or occasionally something slightly more concerning, like a gun, true story) out of the water instead of a fish,” Emma said. “Welcome to Paris!”
It’s this combination of humor, adventure and an unapologetically unique personality that has helped Emma create her own identity in the fishing community.
Through her social media platforms, Emma is showing that fishing doesn’t have to look a certain way. Whether she’s dressed in her favorite outfit, experimenting with unusual lures or chasing predators through the waters of France, she’s determined to make fishing as creative and entertaining as the people who enjoy it.
A family tradition
For Emma, fishing isn’t a hobby she discovered later in life. It’s something she grew up surrounded by.
Her father and grandfather owned fishing stores in France and organized annual fishing shows, introducing her to the sport at an early age.
Her grandfather, Jacky, was particularly influential. An adventurous angler who traveled the world in pursuit of blue marlin, sharks and tuna, he left behind photographs and stories that continue to inspire her.
“My grandfather, Jacky, is like a fishing legend to me,” Emma said. “He used to travel a lot to catch Blue Marlin, Shark or Tuna, and looking at his pictures makes me want to redo his trips now.”
Those early experiences transformed fishing from a family activity into a lifelong passion.
“I don’t think there was one particular moment when I fell in love with it,” she said. “It just became part of who I am.”
Today, Emma works as a marketing manager for the Southern Europe region of Pure Fishing, keeping her connected to the industry even when she isn’t on the water.
But despite her professional involvement, it’s the unpredictable nature of fishing that continues to capture her attention.
“You can never really master it,” she said. “There’s always something new to learn, a new technique to try or a fish that will humble you!”
Fishing in the City of Light
While bass fishing dominates much of the freshwater fishing scene in the United States, Emma spends much of her time targeting predators such as zander, perch, pike and catfish.
Zander, in particular, have earned a special place in her heart.
“I love targeting zander because they are close to my mindset, very stubborn!” she said.
Fishing in Paris presents a unique experience. Unlike the quiet lakes and wooded shorelines many anglers are accustomed to, Emma often fishes surrounded by curious pedestrians and tourists.
“You’re literally fishing between tourists taking pictures, people protesting in the street next to yours, and hundreds of people wondering what on earth you’re doing with a fishing rod,” she said.
But those unexpected interactions are part of what makes fishing in the city so enjoyable.
“When you catch a fish there, you can be sure there will be a round of applause behind you.”
Although Paris provides plenty of entertainment, Emma also enjoys escaping the city to explore new waters.
One of her favorite destinations is Lake Salagou in southern France, where she has made lasting memories catching pike of all sizes.
She also enjoys saltwater fishing and experimenting with different techniques, preferring variety over sticking to one particular species or method.
For Emma, a perfect day on the water doesn’t necessarily require a trophy fish. Good weather, a beautiful location, time spent with her father and the company of her dog are often more than enough.
“Getting there early, having a plan (that probably won’t work), trying different techniques, catching some fish and laughing along the way,” she said, describing her ideal outing.
Making her own rules
Emma’s passion for fishing extends beyond the water and into the content she shares online.
After growing frustrated with the way fishing was perceived in France, she decided to do something about it.
According to Emma, fishing is often viewed by outsiders in her country as an outdated, boring or dirty activity. Having watched her father’s fishing businesses navigate changes in the industry, she wanted to challenge those perceptions and introduce a different image of the sport.
Her solution? Stop following the traditional rules.
“Who decided you can’t go fishing in your best outfit? I have a washing machine,” she said. “Or use something completely ridiculous as a lure? Why does everything have to fit into the usual fishing codes?”
For Emma, fishing and fashion aren’t competing interests. Neither are fishing and humor, creativity or self-expression.
Instead, she believes those interests can work together to make the sport more approachable and entertaining.
“I love doing things that are a little unexpected, mixing worlds that don’t necessarily belong together and sometimes being completely out of place,” she said.
That approach has helped her connect with anglers from around the world through social media, opening doors to new friendships, fishing destinations and opportunities.
More importantly, it has allowed her to encourage others to pick up a rod.
“It’s also really cool when someone recognises you or tells you that you’ve inspired them to start fishing,” she said.
There’s no dress code for being an angler
As a woman who enjoys both fishing and fashion, Emma understands the assumptions that can come with stepping into a traditionally male-dominated sport.
One misconception she hopes to challenge is the idea that women who share fishing content online are more interested in appearances than the sport itself.
“As if we can’t actually be passionate about the technical side of fishing, know our gear or spend hours chasing a specific fish,” she said.
Emma believes women shouldn’t have to sacrifice their femininity or other interests to be taken seriously on the water.
“I don’t think you should have to choose between being feminine, having fun with your image and being a serious angler,” she said. “You can be all of those things. One doesn’t cancel out the other.”
Although she acknowledges that women can sometimes face additional scrutiny, she refuses to let those expectations dictate how she enjoys the sport.
“I’m here to fish and have fun, not to convince anyone I belong here.”
It’s a message that aligns with her broader goal of making fishing feel welcoming to anyone interested in trying it.
And for women who may be hesitant to get started, her advice is simple.
“Please, please, please, don’t wait for permission to belong,” she said.
She encourages beginners to ask questions, make mistakes, lose a few lures and embrace the learning process without worrying about how they might be perceived.
“You don’t have to become one of the guys, and you don’t have to fit into the stereotypical image of a female angler either,” she said.
“Go fishing because YOU want to. Learn, make mistakes, get better, catch fish and take up space. You don’t owe anyone an explanation for being there.”
A world of fishing still to explore
Although Emma has already experienced plenty of memorable moments on the water, her fishing bucket list continues to grow.
Canada, Japan and Greece are among the destinations she hopes to explore in the future.
While catching large or unusual fish is certainly part of the appeal, she’s equally interested in discovering how fishing connects people across different countries and cultures.
“Fishing has a lot to do with our roots, our culture, and I’m very curious about people’s stories,” she said.
For now, Emma plans to continue doing what she loves: exploring new waters, experimenting with creative content and encouraging others to embrace fishing on their own terms.
Her philosophy is perhaps best summarized by one simple statement.
“I don’t want to take fishing too seriously, but I take my passion for it very seriously,” she said. “There’s a difference!”
And whether she’s catching zander in Paris, chasing pike in the French countryside or making her followers laugh with an unconventional fishing adventure, Emma hopes her content serves as a reminder that there’s no single definition of an angler.
“At the end of the day, I just want to fish, have fun, catch some crazy fish and make people feel like they can do their own thing too.”
Follow Emma Greset’s fishing adventures:
- Instagram: @emalapeche
- TikTok: @emalapeche
