Fly Tyer Spotlight: Milan Majanovic

FLY TYER SPOTLIGHT:

Milan Marjanovic

Fly tying is a wonderful pastime and in our “Fly Tyer Spotlight” column, we present some of the most talented and innovative fly tyers across Europe and beyond. They are fly tyers worthy of acclaim and attention – and they represent a great source of creative inspiration. In this installment, we present Milan Marjanovic who has become well-known for his Danube salmon flies.

By THE EDITORIAL STAFF

Full name: Milan Marjanović

Home country: Slovenia

Instagram profile: www.instagram.com/mmayflytying

Website: www.mmayflytying.com

How did you get into fly tying?

Since my father took me fishing for the first time as a child, I started de veloping a deep attraction to nature and water. The love for fishing and my passion for creating things led me to discover the world of fly tying. As a child, I was captivated by the process of my father making artificial flies, and it sparked a talent and a desire within me to innovate and create life-like and perfect flies. Since then, I have been living the dream of establishing a globally recognized brand and becoming a specialist in the production of artificial flies.

Fishing and tying artificial flies have become an integral part of my life, a passion I simply cannot live without. This passion led me to establish the fly fishing brand MMayFly-Tying Shop.

What was once a personal passion has now become my business, allowing me to channel my happiness and emotional energy into crafting exquisite artificial flies.

What is it about fly tying that you enjoy so much?

I am deeply drawn to the sense of mastery that comes with mastering both basic and intricate techniques in fly tying. The process provides me with a constant boost of creativity and allows me to push the limits of my imagination.

“I pour my imagination and creativity into creating large flies”

I relish the freedom to experiment with materials, colors, and fly functions, enabling me to create flies with a natural look and realistic colors. Additionally, I find great joy in exploring various sizes and observing how different flies perform in the water. Whenever I successfully hook something new and it attracts a prized fish, the sheer delight I experience is akin to that of a child.

What kind of flies do you enjoy tying the most and why?

While I initially started with dry flies, my repertoire now encompasses saltwater and freshwater flies. However, it is when I tie flies for ”the king of rivers”, Huchen, that a strong desire and a focus on intricate details awaken within me. As I have the privilege of living just a few hundred meters from one of the best huchen rivers in Europe, this magnificent fish has become my ultimate challenge. Therefore,

I pour my imagination and creativity into creating large flies specifically tailored for huchen fishing. It fascinates me to consider how to entice the fish with my fly, even at times when it is stationary and not actively feeding.

When designing a new fly pattern, what are the most important and determining factors for you?

For me, the key factors in designing a new fly pattern are stability, movement, the overall appearance, and the ability to tie it relatively quickly. While I do occasionally fish with classic one-piece flies, I lean more towards realistic, multi-part flies that incorporate various materials.

I find great satisfaction in expressing my imagination and skill by crafting intricate and lifelike flies that require more effort and attention to detail.

How do you source materials for your flies, and what qualities do you look for?

I source materials for my flies from various stores and manufacturers in the EU and USA.

“I particularly enjoy fishing with mice patterns and multi-part flies”

Being a part of several pro teams grants me access to materials through those affiliations as well.

When selecting materials, I have a preference for natural options, ensuring that the flies are crafted using high-quality materials. Before listing a fly in my online store, I make it a point to personally test and evaluate its catchability and performance. Sometimes, I even provide the flies to friends for their feedback and testing to ensure their effectiveness.

What is your favorite fish species to catch and why?

My preference lies in pursuing the king of freshwater—the huchen—followed by the marble trout and the grayling. There’s an immense sense of joy and fulfillment that comes with catching these native fish species.

I find similarities in their eating habits and lifestyles, which adds to the intrigue and excitement of targeting them.

Do you fish flies that require adapted or alternative fishing techniques?

While I typically prefer fishing with a single-handed rod, I am eager to explore the possibilities of using a double-handed rod, which has been gaining popularity for huchen and taimen hunting. Not only does it offer greater ease and reduced fatigue throughout the day, but it also opens up new techniques and strategies.

Both single-handed and double-handedtechniques have their advantages and disadvantages, ultimately dependent on the individual angler’s preferences. It’s wonderful to have the choice, but personally, I lean towards the single-handed technique due to my familiarity and comfort with it.

What’s your all-time favorite fly and why?

While I have several favorite flies, the one that brings me the most excitement is when I tie something new and it successfully entices a magnificent king huchen! Hahaha!

In terms of specific patterns, I particularly enjoy fishing with mice patterns and multi-part flies.

Among the multi-part flies, my favorite is the Game Changer. Crafted using a variety of materials, it perfectly suits my preference for tying large flies and experimenting with multi-part designs.