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THERE’S nothing fishy about this.
Tony Hibbert is best remembered by Everton fans for galloping down the right wing as an attacking full back that played 329 times for the Toffees.
The fact that he failed to hit the back of the net at the club he was with for 18 years also made him the butt of Evertonians’ jokes.
But it was a hobby outside of football that led to him thinking about building a life outside the game.
In 2013, Hibbert bought the 33-acre Lac de Premiere, a carp fishery in the village of Villiers-en-Prayeres, northern France.
And since retiring from the beautiful game in 2016, he’s devoted his time in running a venue welcoming fisherman from all over the world.
Lac de Premiere boasts some of the finest fish and facilities you could possibly wish for, including decked out pegs, an 80-seater restaurant, sports bar and shower block.
For up to £550 a week, guests can fish from two lakes, and that price includes food, although you’ll have to bring your own tent to stay.
The Main Lake is where all the action is and boasts fish that weigh around 60lb. As for the lake record, that stands at a whopping 67lb.
Some of Hibbert’s football pals have already enjoyed his lakes, including Birmingham City keeper David Stockdale.
Back in 2013, Hibbert told the Angling Times why he bought a fishery.
“Being a fisherman myself, I think it’s something any fisherman would like to own – their own carp fishery, or a fishery in a way,” he said.
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“I just think, coming to the end of my career, I need something.
“And as a business venture I’m happy with it and it’s something I enjoy, so why not?”
So dedicated to getting it right, Hibbery along with business partner Keith Gladden search low and high for the perfect spot, which took time.
“I was looking in France for over a year,” he revealed.
“Me and Keith had seen a lot of venues, but I think this one, when we first saw it, was the one for us.”
Hibbert got into fishing when he was a kid, first catching a perch when he used to visit Prescot, Merseyside with his mates.
“It was with me mates, just going round to the local ponds and learning to fish,” he said.
“The first fish (I caught) was a perch in a local club water in Prescot.
“It’s where we went most weekends to fish.”
Footballers including Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Sergio Aguero have admitted a fondness for fishing in the past.
Hibbert believes that players are now starting to admit their love for angling.
“I think at the moment a lot of people are coming out more and saying they go fishing.
“I think a few years back, they kept it to themselves. But now they’re getting more confident and they are enjoying it more.
“It’s getting bigger and bigger and they’ve cottoned on more so they’re not afraid to say that they fish.”
As for his favourite style of carp fishing, Hibbert said he favoured on particular way.
“Setting traps for them,” he said.
“Trying to get as much as a bite off them as I can and taking it from there, really.
“If it needs chasing, I will go round and chase them, but setting little traps and getting as many bites as I can.”
And as for the future, Hibbert has big plans for Lac de Premiere.
He wants it to be the go-to fishery for fisherman around the world.
“We have big plans for the future,” he said. “Obviously, we’d love to get more water and the fish stock as well.
“The fish will be growing now and getting bigger and heavier and just keep the whole holiday vibe around the place.
“The plan is to make Lac de Premiere one of the best fisheries in France.”
