Fly fishing in Mongolia summary
Mongolia has established a reputation as an outstanding angling destination both for the chance to catch the legendary taimen and for the unique adventure of fishing its wild untamed rivers. These pre-historic mega-fish are renowned for feeding on small mammals and ducklings and willingly take a surface fly imitating a mouse. Traditionally Mongolians have never eaten fish, which has left their rivers in a pristine state where taimen can live to over 40 years old, attain 70 inches in length and weigh up to 200lbs, although the largest rod caught taimen range between 50 and 60 inches.
Our fishing partners in Mongolia have been operating exceptional fly-fishing trips and camps since 2003 and are fully licensed Mongolian outfitters. The international guide team includes Mongolian, British and American fly-fishing guides and the Delger Muron float trip is our flagship product on a beautiful and dramatic mountain river that is home to taimen, lenok trout and grayling. The thrill of fly-fishing for these freshwater giants is experiencing the aggressive ‘smash and grab’ strike when the fish takes a surface fly, but as big a part of the experience is simply fishing Mongolia’s wild and untamed rivers, knowing that there is a five-foot predator cruising the waters. Taimen often miss on their first smash, but if you leave the fly dangling will come round for another try. Anglers sometimes strike too soon missing the hook up – the secret is to keep stripping until you feel the weight of the fish, then lift the rod to set the hook. Once the fight is on, taimen will charge around the pool, often going airborne, or boring deep to the sanctuary of the depths, shaking their head like a dog with a bone. All taimen are carefully released after being photographed, and you should not expect to catch large numbers. We run float trips instead of using jet boats as this is in keeping with the Mongolian wilderness spirit.
Wild and Exotic have been operating in Mongolia since 2004 and can offer a wide and diverse range of activities either before or after the fishing trip, including exploring mountain, steppe and desert on horseback, visiting reindeer herders in the taiga forests of the north, and hunting foxes with golden eagles in the western province of Bayan Olgii. Please do contact us for suggestions.
Accommodation: The first and last nights of the holiday are spent at a decent hotel in Ulaanbaatar. Camping during the fishing trip is comfortable, using individual tents or 3-person mountain tents for two to share, a dining tent, camp chairs and tables, tent and simple shower. We also maintain seasonal base ger camps for the first and last nights of the fishing adventure.
Best time of year: The fishing season in Mongolia officially opens on June 15th, which coincides with the post-spawning period when taimen begin feeding aggressively and the spring season has provided exceptional fishing in recent seasons. If the water is low and clear taimen hit hard on the surface, taking anything from stimulators to large mouse patterns, and in these conditions it is often possible to sight fish. There is a higher risk of rain and flooding during this period, but if conditions are good we can experience some of the best fly-fishing in Mongolia. The autumn season in September is generally considered to be the prime fishing season in Mongolia; the weather is normally sunny, with clear and falling water. It gets progressively colder through the month, with hard frosts at night and the chance of snow by the end of the month; the drop in water temperature seems to make the taimen more active and triggers aggressive feeding. All fishing is arranged on a bespoke basis, we do not offer any set departure dates.
Deposit: For bookings made more than 6 months in advance we requite a 25% non-refundable deposit to reserve the trip, full payment is due 12 weeks before departure. For bookings made less than 6 months in advance we require a 50% non-refundable deposit to reserve the trip, full payment 8 weeks prior to departure.
Fish species: Taimen: A member of the salmon family they exhibit many similarities, but unlike salmon they do not run to sea, spending their entire life-cycle in the rivers where they were spawned. Scientists estimate the population density of this apex predator in Mongolia’s rivers is around 20 taimen per kilometer in the most productive and pristine rivers. Lenok (Brachymstax lenok), also known as Siberian trout, are related to char, generally around 15 to 20 inches they can grow to over 30 inches. Grayling are plentiful and there are in fact five sub-species here. The lenok and grayling readily take dry flies, June and September produce plentiful mayfly hatches, and lenok are always ready to chomp on a hopper. A hopper-dropper rig is especially effective. This is world-class trout fishing, and some of our guests come solely to fish for lenok and grayling.
Food: The catering on this expedition is superb, with weekly supplies of fresh vegetables, fruit and meat supplied by Ulaanbaatar’s top gourmet French chef. A typical day begins with fresh brewed coffee around the campfire, followed by a hearty breakfast with muesli, eggs, bacon or ham, and pancakes. Evening meals include roast pork loin, Dutch-oven lasagna, and pot-roast beef served with soups, salads, and desert, our peach cobbler and apple pie are a special treat. Beer and red wine with dinner is included in the cost of the trip. Premium wines can be ordered in advance at extra cost.
Getting there: International Flights: Ulaanbaatar is served by direct flights from Berlin, Moscow, Beijing, Seoul and Tokyo; the most convenient route from Europe is via Berlin or Moscow with MIAT (Mongolian Airlines) or alternatively via Beijing. The most convenient flights from North America are via Seoul, or alternatively Beijing. Arriving in Ulaanbaatar, you’ll be welcomed by our local representative and transferred to your hotel. Ulaanbaatar is home to one-third of Mongolia’s population and is the country’s business and tourism hub. In Ulaanbaatar you are free to shop, explore, and visit sights of interest at your leisure, and our local staff can arrange for a car and translator to help you make the most of your time in the city if you wish. Domestic Flights: Our preferred airline for domestic flights is Eznis http://www.eznisairways.com/ who operate modern 30-seater Saab 340 aircraft to international safety standards. Please note that domestic flight schedules are not likely to be confirmed by the Mongolian Civil Aviation Authority until May 2009, and while we expect flights on the above transfer days the itinerary may need to be adjusted once schedules are published.
Guiding: Based on guide ratio of one professional fly-fishing guide per two anglers. Group size subject to minimum of 4 persons and a maximum 6 persons, although we can accommodate 8 guests on private groups.
Guest numbers: Our float fishing trips are usually for a minimum or 2 and a maximum of 6 guests
Location: The Delger Muron is one of the most beautiful rivers in Mongolia; flowing through limestone and granite bedrock, the valley is flanked by spectacular cliffs and rocky pinnacles. Remote and inaccessible sections of this freestone river offer pristine and secluded angling that is only accessible by raft, with healthy populations of taimen up to 50 inches, as well as lenok trout and grayling.
Other activities: The float trip itinerary can be modified to suit your requirements, and can include a 2 day visit to Lake Kvosgul with accommodation in a permanent ger camp, which can be used as a base for boating, riding, hiking and visiting local nomadic families. We can also arrange local spring creek fishing.
Tackle & Equipment: We will provide a comprehensive list of equipment and tackle for the trip. We fish for taimen mainly with ‘dry’ flies and poppers on floating lines: streamers fished with a sinking line are also effective. A 9 ft rod for 8 or 9 weight lines is generally recommended for taimen fishing, but we also encourage the use of double-handed rods. For lenok and grayling a 4, 5 or 6 weight rod and floating line is suitable. Over the years we have developed our own fly patterns and adapted flies intended for other species. Favorite flies include the Gurlger, a top-water foam backed fly that is relatively easy to cast, and a streamer imitating a small lenok. We will provide taimen flies, but you should bring a selection of dry-flies and nymphs for lenok and grayling. We fish with both single and double handed rods – our guides are all Spey enthusiasts and will encourage you to try a double-handed rod. Fishing a single-handed rod, a double haul will help you achieve the power and distance to cast the larger flies and cover the water.
Please contact us for further details, cost and availability.
