The second largest reservoir in Bulgaria, Dospat Reservoir, is found in the Fisheries Area “High Western Rhodopes.” 

The forests in the Fisheries Area are inhabited by over 300 otters, 300 grouse, 100 wild goats, a large number of wild cats, many birds, and other rare protected species, like brown bears.  

The Fishing Region is a leading producer of trout in Bulgaria.  Almost all the rainbow trout in Bulgaria are raised here, and nearly half of all Bulgarian aquaculture production is located in the region. 

For the first time, FLAG will present recipes from the territory’s local cuisine, including Batak, Devin, and Dospat, publishing them on its website.  

The Fisheries Area is traditionally a leading destination because of its popular reservoirs and emblemic rivers.  The region already boasts a wealth of experience, practices, and interest in the carrying out of competitions.  In Devin, rounds of the World Trout Fishing Championship have been carried out, while the World Bait Championship has occurred in the river Vucha.  Furthermore, Devin has a team, composed of four young men, which participates in various world championships.  In the past 5 years, the teammates have been National Champions of Trout Fishing with Natural Bait, and they participate in the Bulgarian National Team almost every year.  In 2011, they participated in the World Trout Fishing Championships in Italy, where they won 3^rd place, their best finish yet.  

Years ago, some of the rivers in the Fisheries Area (Vucha and Dospatska) were sites for recreational fishing and eel catching.  The last eel was caught by Ramiz Yakubov, a resident of the village Brushten, in 1996.  It was a muckworm eel with a length of 84 cm.  Eels have since disappeared from the region because of the construction of three dams along the river Vucha and two dams on the Dospatska river near the Greek border.   

Fish with similar characteristics are grouped into families, the largest of which is the carp family, which includes 1600 species. 

The first organized fly fishing competition in Bulgaria was held in 1950 and carried out by the Sofia Fishing Company.   

“Good Luck!” is the typical heartfelt greeting used for fellow fishermen.   

The biggest registered example of bait-caught trout weighed 19.1 kg and was caught in 1970 in Alaska.   

Trout has a top speed of 40 km/hr.  Carp can go 13 km/hour, and pike has a top speed of 33 km/hr.