In memory of Hubert Guillois towards FreeSpirit

Guillois Family is organizing this fundraiser.

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Dear fellow anglers, dear family, dear friends,

It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Hubert Guillois, born on 18th March 1940 in Mauron, who left us peacefully on the 14th of January in Cartagena de los Indias in Colombia at the age of 84 leaving behind a legacy defined by passion, innovation, and dedication to the angling community.

Hubert Guillois was more than a businessman; he was a visionary who helped shape the modern fishing industry in France and beyond. His commitment to excellence and his deep respect for the art of fishing and the environment earned him admiration across generations of anglers.

Let me briefly recount the extraordinary life Hubert led which touched so many and celebrate his legacy.

After achieving an honourable 2nd place at L’École Hôtelière de Paris, Hubert embarked on a remarkable three-year tenure at the Pentagon—though much of it remains a secret. True to the adventurous spirit of Indiana Jones, he then slung a shoulder bag over his shoulder and travelled the world. His journeys were filled with countless extraordinary tales, including narrow escapes from peril—whether with the Vietcong army or a man-eating tribe in Papua New Guinea.

Briefly returning to France, Hubert married his sweetheart, Dominique, before setting off once more to explore the world—this time applying his hotel management expertise in Africa and Argentina.

Hubert held a deep love and respect for his father-in-law, André. So, when André requested his help in managing the company he had founded, Hubert immediately returned to France. Being an avid angler himself, it was a perfect fit, as the company was none other than Ragot Mouche—a small but highly esteemed fishing tackle business.

In no time, Hubert transformed Ragot Mouche from a primarily fly-fishing & fresh water company into a major import-export enterprise. He introduced numerous prestigious brands to the French market, including Rapala, Cortland, Plano and Shimano while also becoming a renowned manufacturer. Among his creations was the iconic Raglou in 1971 and went on to develop many more alongside Victor Borlandelli, Ange Porteux, Jean-Marc Lanchier, and many others.

Hubert with his mother-in-law Renee Ragot in Argentina, 1968

After selling the company to Rapala in 1991, Hubert and Dominique set sail, embarking on new adventures. Hubert, a skilled sailor since his youth, had honed his sailing abilities around the island of Bréhat—a passion along with fishing that brought him immense joy throughout his life.

Recently, after years of dedicated effort, and reconnecting with a brief but thoroughly enjoyed bracket in his life when he was a teacher, Hubert fulfilled a long-held ambition. This past November, he published his comprehensive memoirs for the family to cherish.

Sharing his vast knowledge on a wide array of topics was not only one of his greatest passions but could also be described as a deep-seated need, especially when it came to passing it on to younger generations.

He was immensely proud of his children and grandchildren, seeing in each of them the continuation of his legacy and his many passions.

To honour his memory, the family invites you to take your loved ones, especially the younger ones, on a fishing/crabbing trip and combine it with a litter-picking activity. Share those precious moments using the hashtag #HubertGuilloisLegacy so the family can see and respond.

If you wish to support and donate to a charity that embodies Hubert's passion for the environment, the future of angling, well-being on or around the water, and youth, please consider donating to the FreeSpirit initiative, which he helped to conceive. His last words written in English, being updated on the project Monday afternoon were: “Freedom at sea is a marvellous feeling”.

Thank you, Hubert, your legacy will continue to ripple through all the waters you so dearly loved.

Tight lines

What is FreeSpirit?

The FreeSpirit initiative is a specially built boat to enable people of all ages and abilities to enjoy the well-being benefits of the ocean, and recreational activities like fishing whilst engaging in sustainable practices. His meaningful and perfect words “Freedom at sea is a marvellous feeling” will be engraved within FreeSpirit in memory of his deep passion for the sea. The boat will be based in the Solent, UK along the south coast directed by his eldest daughter Marianne and son-in-law Ross, lovingly supported by family from Belgium to Colombia.

Visit the website here - www.freespirit.care