Personal Impressions and Experiences

I’ve spent quite a bit of time in Bosnia over the past five or six years, fishing its rivers and learning something new every time about the art we call fly fishing. I wasn’t sure before, but now I’m convinced that Bosnia and the Republic of Srpska are the true heart of this sport in continental Europe. It’s a unique destination for grayling and trout, with the added thrill of a possible taimen and an incredible variety of rivers that make Bosnia a paradise for any angler. No wonder the country was chosen to host the 35th World Fly Fishing Championship.

Preparation

I traveled to Bosnia seven times in 2014, determined to understand its waters and learn from those who knew them best. I watched the national championship and several other competitions, observing every cast, every subtle movement. The Bosnians are true masters of the sport — and one of them, without question, is a genius. I had the chance and privilege to spend a great deal of time in his company, learning from him about the deeper art of fly fishing. I would never have reached the same level without his guidance. My heartfelt gratitude goes to Aleks Djukić.

To me, fly fishing is a galaxy — and competitive fly fishing is just one small constellation within it. Catching fish isn’t always the most important part. What matters most are the friends who share both the good and the hard moments beside you on the river. I want to take part in every competition I can, because each one helps me grow as an angler and as a person, while building lasting friendships with people from around the world who share the same love for the water. These championships are a rare and beautiful opportunity to meet others who live and breathe the same passion.

I arrived in Bosnia about three weeks before the championship and stayed with Aleks. We practiced daily, tied flies late into the night, and even helped other teams prepare. Getting ready for a competition like this is never easy — it takes patience, discipline, and a lot of heart. But I’ve never seen it as work. This is my way of life — and I love every single part of it.

The Championship and the Bulgarian National Team

The Bulgarian Team? Where’s Your Team? Why Are You Always Alone, Stani?

These are the questions I’ve had to answer at every international championship since 2006 — the year Bulgaria first, and so far only, fielded a team at the European Championship.

Today we have a Federation of Fly Fishers in Bulgaria, doing what it can within the limits of our circumstances. Still, I hold on to the hope that soon we’ll be able to send a full five-person team — selected through our national tournaments — to represent our country with confidence and pride.

If anyone reading this feels even a spark of inspiration and wants to help in forming or sponsoring a national team for the 2016 European Championship in Poland or the 2017 World Championship in Slovakia, please reach out. These are the two events where I’ve set my heart on seeing Bulgaria stand as a team once again. If that doesn’t happen, I may finally put this dream to rest.

My deepest gratitude goes to Dr. Misho and Angel, who traveled all the way to Bosnia to stand under the national flag beside me. Your support meant the world — thank you, from the heart.

The opening ceremony was beautiful, blessed with perfect weather. Thirty-one nations took part, fielding twenty-eight teams. I was placed in a mixed team of individual competitors from Hungary, Malta, and Chile — a diverse and inspiring group of anglers. It was an honor to share the water with them.

After a few days of official practice, captain meetings, and the inevitable late nights tying flies, the moment had finally come. The first session awaited.

Session 1: The Sanica River

The draw placed me on the Sanica River — the one known to hold the most fish. Expectations were high that this would be the place for big numbers and a strong opening. Most sectors were considered good up to number 18; beyond that, the fishing grew tougher, with fewer fish and less promising water. Once again, it proved that every championship carries its share of luck — and sometimes, luck makes all the difference.

I drew sector 15 — a beautiful stretch with a perfect mix of pools, riffles, and promising seams. I began fishing with a nymph setup, but soon noticed fish rising all around me. I switched to a dry fly, trusting my instinct — and it paid off. Most of my fish came to the surface that day.

By the end of the session, I had landed 30 fish, which placed me fourth in the sector. A strong, confident start — exactly what I had hoped for.

Session 2: The Sana River

When I first saw my sector on the Sana River, I felt uneasy. It didn’t look promising — not much structure, not many likely holding spots. Earlier that morning, Simon Robinson from the England team had managed only five fish there.

A few minutes before the start, I spotted two fish rising for dry flies. I went for them right away and caught both within the first six minutes of the three-hour session. It was the kind of start that steadies your hands.

After that, I switched to nymphs and began working the shallower stretches, methodically covering the water. That’s where most of my fish came from. In the final hour, I turned to the deeper runs and managed a few solid trout — and one fine grayling around 40 centimeters. The timing felt right all the way through; I was catching fish every ten to fifteen minutes.

Session 3: The Pliva River

My Favorite River in Bosnia

I drew the lucky sector 13. Alex Jukić had fished there the previous day and landed 15 fish, which earned him second place in his group. Apparently, he’d taught me well how to fish his home river — because I achieved exactly the same result: 15 fish and second place in my group. I was beaten by a Serbian competitor who also had 15 fish, but a few centimeters separated me from another sector win.

It was demanding fishing, the kind that tests your balance and resolve. I had to wade deep, often up to the limit of my waders, and even swam a few times. Eventually, I slipped a few stones into the lower pockets of my vest to anchor myself better in the current. It worked — just enough to keep me steady. At 194 cm tall, I think my height saved me more than once; without it, I doubt I’d have handled the sector as well or caught all those fish.

After the third session, I stood first in the individual ranking. What a day — everything came together perfectly.

Session 4 (officially called Session 5): The Vrbas River

I’m not sure why they did it this way, but in reality, there was no Session 4. On the results board it simply jumped to Session 5, and then Session 6 was the final.

It had rained all night, and everyone knew the Vrbas River would be cappuccino-colored. My luck ran out on this last day. The draw placed me in a tough sector — one where only a single fish had been caught by previous competitors. Fishing was extremely difficult, and I searched for fish in the shallow sections along the bank.

Still, I managed to catch two fish, one of them literally a minute before the end. With those two fish, I took 8th place in the group and fell to 2nd place in the individual ranking.

Final Session: Plivsko Lake – One Fish Away from a Medal

One Fish Away

I just needed one fish to become world champion. One single fish.

Only seven out of twenty-eight competitors managed to net a fish during that final session. I was in the boat with the Bosnian, Jovo Dević. Together, we managed to read the water and find where the fish were holding. Then I saw one — chasing a butterfly across the surface. I stripped out my line and cast my streamer as fast as I could, just beside it. The strike came instantly. I hooked the fish and held it for maybe five seconds — and then it was gone. Just like that. I lost the fish with the gold medal hanging around my neck.

That’s competitive fly fishing. I guess I’m not the only one who’s ever needed just one fish to win a world title. I try to live with that thought, but it’s hard — painfully hard — to accept.

And that was it. The end of my dream for this year. I was closer than ever before, and I can only hope that one day I’ll get that chance again.

Still, I gave everything I had. I’ll admit, I wasn’t as prepared for lake fishing as I should’ve been — I hadn’t done much of it from a boat in the past three years. Many other great anglers blanked too.

In the final standings, I finished fifteenth. It didn’t really matter, not after losing that golden fish. But now, looking back, I realize I fished well — and I’m proud of how I performed. I had luck with good sectors in the first two days, less so in the last. It was my best result so far, and I carry it with pride. I’ll keep competing — and maybe, someday, I’ll get another chance.

The winners 

History Remembers Only the Winners

Congratulations to the teams that stood on the podium in this championship: Spain took the gold, the United States claimed silver, and Bosnia secured the bronze.

A big salute also to the individual champions from Poland, Montenegro, and the United States!

You can check out the full rankings in the photo gallery below.

Special Thanks

First and foremost, I want to thank my family and my fiancée for supporting me throughout the years. Thank you for standing by me and believing in my dream.

Thank you to everyone who bought flies from me as a way to support me financially! Thanks to my Danish friends, with whom I shared an unforgettable week of fishing, for their moral and financial support as well. Special thanks to Miroslav Katičić from Croatia for sharing his knowledge, experience, and willingness to help me succeed. Thank you, my friend!

A huge thank you to Dr. Misho for the flies he gave me — many of the fish I caught during the championship fell for those flies. Thank you, Doc, for always supporting me — I will never forget it. Thanks also to all the friends and fellow competitors who encouraged me, even with just a smile or a thumbs-up.

Last, but certainly not least, special thanks to my teacher and friend, Alex, for passing on incredible skills and knowledge — things almost impossible to find these days.

It was a great championship, with minor organizational hiccups, but it was the one in which I performed my best. Until the next rivers and lakes!