Fly Tying

Stanislav Mankov has been tying his flies since the beginning of his fly-fishing journey, and it is an aspect of the sport that Stanislav takes very seriously. There is no end to the skill and know-how one can accumulate in this craft, and Stanislav has invested significant time and effort into mastering these techniques.

At Mankov Fly Fishing Ltd., we believe in constant innovation. Stanislav enjoys designing flies and experimenting with new materials and techniques. He specializes in tying semi-realistic flies and often ties patterns directly on the riverbank before, during, or after fishing. This practice allows him to observe insects in their natural environment and utilize the clarity of natural daylight to create the most effective imitations.

Stanislav represents the company as a professional fly tier at international fairs across Germany, England, Denmark, Finland, Holland, and Bulgaria, with a goal to participate in shows all around the globe. His expertise is internationally recognized; in 2015, he participated in the EFFA Open fly tying competition, winning 1st prize in the Dry Fly category and 2nd prize in the Nymph category.

Fly Tying Courses

Mankov Fly Fishing Ltd. offers comprehensive fly tying courses designed for all skill levels. These sessions are conducted by Stanislav Mankov, leveraging his award-winning experience to help you succeed.

Beginner Course

This course is perfect for those who have never held a bobbin before. Stanislav will guide you through the essential tools, materials, and fundamental techniques required to create effective fishing flies.

The course covers:

Vise and Tool Mastery: How to properly set up and use the vise and essential tying tools.
Material Identification: Understanding both synthetic and natural materials and their uses.
Basic Entomology: Essential insect identification and knowledge to inform fly design.
Fundamental Techniques: Dubbing application, ribbing techniques, and tailing methods.
Pattern Creation: Learning to tie classic and effective nymphs, wet flies, and dry flies.
Proportion and Durability: How to ensure your flies look right and last through multiple catches.
Practical Fishing Focus: Learning to create patterns that are not only aesthetically pleasing but are highly efficient and reliable when presented on the water.

During the course, we will also discuss which flies to use in different situations, how to read the water, where to find fish, and what they are feeding on. Stanislav is happy to share his broader knowledge of fly fishing and tying to answer any specific questions you may have.

Mankov Fly Fishing Ltd. will supply all the materials and tools needed for the course. However, you are always welcome to bring your own equipment.

Advanced Course

This course is suitable for everyone who has done some fly tying before and wants to develop their skills and learn something more. This course can help you improve your fly-tying skills, correct mistakes, and master professional-level patterns.

The course includes:

Advanced Winging & Hackle: Mastery of winging techniques (Woven flies, Origami wings, Wonder wings) and specialized hackle applications (Parachute and Para-loop techniques).
Resins & Detail: Professional use of Epoxy and UV resins for durability and realism.
Extreme Sizing: Tying specialized patterns from big streamers to micro-flies down to size 32.
Deer Hair Mastery: In-depth deer hair techniques for spinning, stacking, and shaping.
Working with Difficult Materials: Working with CDC and advanced synthetic applications.
Modern Mounting: Advanced mounting techniques and composite loops.
Saltwater Foundations: Introduction to saltwater fly tying, including the use of corrosion-resistant hooks, weighted eyes (dumbbells and beads), and durable synthetic materials for patterns such as Gotchas, Crazy Charlies, Alphlexo Crabs, and Clouser Minnows.
Design and Innovation: Adapting patterns for specific river or lake conditions.

Mankov Fly Fishing Ltd. will supply all the materials and tools needed for the course. However, you are always welcome to bring your own equipment.

Price List (prices are the same for both types of courses)

One-person course:

50 € per hour;
100 € – 3 hours;
150 € – 6 hours.

Two-person course:

70 € per hour;
140 € – 3 hours;
180 € – 6 hours.

Three to five-person course:

90 € per hour;
150 € – 3 hours;
240 € – 6 hours.

The course is extremely suitable to be presented as a gift to any avid angler!

Demonstrations

Stanislav Mankov performs fly tying demonstrations for clubs and at major international fly fishing fairs. His presentations provide an in-depth look at professional tying techniques and the philosophy behind “fishable” imitations.

If you are a club or are organizing an event for at least six people, Stanislav is available for live demonstrations and tying clinics. These sessions allow participants to see the techniques up close and receive personal advice on their own tying. Please contact Mankov Fly Fishing Ltd. to discuss availability, topics, and costs.

Fly Tying Videos

Below, you can view a selection of fly-tying videos produced by Stanislav Mankov.

Old Flies Gallery

Below is a showcase of semi-realistic flies tied during the early stages of Stanislav Mankov’s history. Although our current focus is dedicated to producing specialized fishing flies for the water, these early experiments remain a vital part of our heritage. You can explore and purchase our contemporary patterns and newest releases in the Mankov Fly Fishing webshop.