Philippe Dolivet & Brittany Fly Fishing, expertise at your service
F ormer editor in chief of “Plaisirs de la Pêche” fly fishing magazine, now defunct as of 2005, Philippe Dolivet is one of the foremost European experts on the subject. Philippe is armed with a vast experience of what he qualifies as “art de vivre” and with a lifelong intense passion for all things water that was born long ago on the banks of the river Léguer, his home stream located in the Côtes d’Armor.
First ever officially certified fishing guide in France, he has been teaching the art of fly fishing for over a quarter of a century. He remains a force to reckon with in everything that touches this noble sport, be it technique, tackle or travel. As a photographer and reporter, his career as a journalist has given the privilege to travel and to wet his lines in fresh and salt water, oceans, lakes and rivers in almost 35 different countries all over the world, immortalizing a great number of game fish in pictures.
As an avid naturalist, he has an extensive knowledge of aquatic ecosystems, be it in freshwater or marine environments, always aware of their inherent fragility and always eager to share his knowledge without priggishness.
Brittany Fly Fishing is the sum of many yearlong efforts and aims to help people discover the lost fly fishing treasures of Brittany and to share knowledge and humble wisdom.
Roots of the fly fishing passion running deep
In freshwater, Philippe can be considered a wild trout specialist, both in waters running and still, with a marked preference for resident and migratory forms of brown trout (Salmo trutta fario and Salmo trutta trutta) from small streams and rivers of his native northern Brittany as well as from Irish lakes (Lough style angling). Numerous trips to brown trout heavens like New Zealand, Chile, the Kola Peninsula, Sweden, Germany, southern England, Scotland, Argentina, as well as the sublime waters of Franche-Comté, the Pyrenees and Normandy have not been able to alter his deep love for finisterian and costarmorican waters.
Philippe is also a fine specialist of technical rainbow trout fishing (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in stillwaters (boat and bank fishing) and loves to tackle pike on fly and swing for Atlantic salmon and shad.
When it comes to medal honors, antonym to what he considers fly fishing nowadays, Philippe has been an active competitor in federated First division in both streams and stillwaters for over 10 years, crowned vice-champion of France in 1997 and wining numerous national and international fly fishing competitions. He will not, however, disavow the formative nature of the experience as the competitions helped him perfect his casting and angling technique, yet he does prefer a more sustainable, respectful and contemplative approach nowadays.
In saltwaters, it’s the sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) on fly that have retained all of his attention and he currently specializes in guiding his customers to fish for this fine species in estuaries, along rocky coastline and sandy beaches, sight or blind casting using his fly fishing boat.
He cut his teeth in briny waters in places such as the flats of the Bahamas, Florida and Cuba and he western African coastline with venues like the Bijagos archipelago in Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania and Senegal.
Back to the roots in the heart of wild Brittany
It is in Commana, right in the middle of Finistère, on the emblematic slopes of the Monts d’Arrée, mythical place of wild Brittany, where Philippe has chosen to set camp, along with his family.
The Brittany Fly Fishing headquarters are hence located right in the epicenter of Armorican fly fishing. The Monts d’Arrée Mountains represent the major water reservoir of Brittany and most watersheds of the western region rise here.
Depending on the season and the places where its customers are lodged, Brittany fly fishing will move its headquarters to Tonquédec (Côtes d’Armor), on the banks of the river Léguer, in the heart of the Trégor and in close proximity of the Argoat, which represent its other angling territory.
The concept : vacation on the water
More than 100 kilometers of first class wild trout water can be found within a range of 30 kilometers (10 rivers and 2 lakes) and with the exception of the lower Blavet where anglers fish for shad, located at some 98 kilometers from headquarters, all the venues, be it in fresh or salt water, are located within 80 km from home base.
Swift Lodge, the three rooms B&B with fly fishing atmosphere managed by his wife, Lydie, welcome you in front of the crests of the Monts d’Arrée. Our location is ideal for easy access to Brittany’s best rivers, the lakes of the Monts d’Arrée, Drennec and Saint-Michel, as well as to two paradises for European sea bass saltwater fly fishing, the Bay of Morlaix and the Roasdstead of Brest. Philippe also works in partnership with other types of accommodation: country cottages spread throughout the territory and has also selected hotels, all meeting his criteria of excellence in terms of character, charm, welcome and service. Whatever your choice, you will never be more than 5 minutes drive from an estuary, a beach, a river or a lake.
Easy and quick access to Northern Brittany and Monts d’Arrée
Located at the crossroads of the North-South Morlaix to Quimper and East-West Carhaix-Brest axes, central Brittany has extensive roadways that offer quick access to everywhere and to even the most remote fishing venue.
The TGV train station of Morlaix (20 minutes), Brest-Guipavas airport (40 minutes) and Roscoff harbor (30 minutes) are all close within, wherever you might hail from: France, Benelux, continental Europe, the British isles or from overseas.
Certification, qualification & references
- Certified fishing guide (official certification BPJEPS + UCC saltwater angling).
- Fly Fishing trips organiser in cooperation with Pollen Voyage (in Brest)
- Partner of the Bretagne trademark
- Ambassador of the Finistère trademark
- Official partner of Tourist Office of “Roscoff, Côte des sables, Enclos paroissiaux”
- Official partner of Pink Granite Coast Tourist Office
- Rio Products Pro guide USA, Simms US Pro Program, Patagonia Pro Europe, FishPond, etc.
- Member of Team Navicom (Minn Kota trolling motors & Humminbird fish finders).
- Member of Team IFly
- Fulling Mill Fishing Flies Ambassador
- Former editor in chief of “Plaisirs de la Pêche” magazine, photographer, journalist, naturalist.
- Fishing tourism consultant. Specializes in fishing travel and fly fishing tackle.
- Former competitor. Vice fly fishing champion of France (1997). Many victories and podium places at national and international fy fishing competitions (bank and boat / England)
- Fishing guide training (Level II). Certified in 1987.
- Local development agent training, option limnology (freshwater sciences) (Level III). Certifies in May 1988.
- European First Aid Certificate/Civil Security Certificat (PSC1)
- Swimmers Certification.
