My name is Stanislav Mihaylov Mankov and I am a fly angler, guide, and an online fly tackle shop owner. I was born in Sofia, Bulgaria in 1988. Fishing has been an inseparable part of my life for as long as I can remember. I started fly fishing when I was 15 and it has been the only fishing I have done since then. I fish mainly for salmonids but have fished for other species like pike, asp, chub, etc.
I graduated in 2011 from Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, England with an Honorable Bachelor degree in Wildlife Biology. There I also learned much about fly fishing in still waters and met great friends.
In 2015 I finished my master’s degree in Alternative International Tourism at the New Bulgarian University, Sofia, Bulgaria. I currently live in Bulgaria and am on the water, both fresh and salt, more than 150 days a year.
Fly Tying
I have tied flies since the very beginning. I like to develop my own flies and to experiment with new materials and techniques. When I have time, I like to tie semi-realistic flies. I participated in fairs in Germany, England, Denmark, Finland, Holland, Ireland, and, of course, Bulgaria. I hope to continue to attend fairs and shows all around the globe.
My favorite flies are emergers and tiny grayling nymph patterns.
Casting
I take casting with a fly rod very seriously. I think of improving it as something you can strive for and dedicate a lot of effort to all your life. In October 2011, I qualified as an Advance AAPGAI game angling instructor. On 27 October 2012, I qualified as a basic EFFA instructor after I passed an exam held in Hohenems, Austria.
Competition
I have competed for the Bulgarian fishing club “Old Otters” since 2005. I have been in the national team in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018. I won the Republican Championship of Bulgaria individually 5 times – 2006, 2007, 2008, 2013, and 2017
and my team came second in 2005, 2006, and 2008. In 2007, 2010, 2013, and 2017 we were champions.
I have participated in four European and four World Championships – Slovenia 2006; Norway 2007; New Zealand 2008; Scotland 2009; Bosnia and Herzegovina- 2010; Slovakia 2013; Bosnia and Herzegovina 2015 and Slovakia 2017.
One of my dreams came true when we, as Team Bulgaria, represented the country for first time in the history of World Fly Fishing Championships in 2017 and our team finished 7th out of 31. I was proud to be the captain of the team.
I have taken part in other international challenges, like the International Grayling competition on river Dee in Wells, Orvis Cup in Prague, Hanak competition, and others.
In 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018 I organized the National Championship in Bulgaria.
Fishing and Guiding
I like to explore new and exciting places for fishing. I have fished in Bulgaria, Serbia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Croatia, Romania, Slovenia, Austria, Germany, Italy, Slovakia, Greece, Bosnia, Norway, England, Wales, Scotland, Denmark, New Zealand, and the Seychelles.
I organize trips and fishing holidays in all Balkan countries and some hosted trips abroad.