Trips
The Taimen Experience
Fly fishing for taimen in Mongolia is an amazing adventure and a unique opportunity to experience spectacular scenery, unique culture, and some very special fish.
Mongolia is vast beyond belief. Most of its fenceless, roadless wilderness is sparsely populated with people who have continued to live the same nomadic lifestyle since the time of Ghengis Khan.
Fish Mongolia operates on western Mongolia’s most awe-inspiring taimen and trout stream. This beautiful freestone river flows un-dammed for hundreds of miles through a majestic canyon lined with dense forests and punctuated by dramatic limestone and granite cliffs.
The scenery and fishing are both world class.
Fly Fishing Trips for Taimen in Mongolia
Fish Mongolia has two different itineraries – each covering a separate section of river – or guests may choose to combine both trips for an epic Mongolian taimen fly fishing odyssey.
The Headwaters Expedition begins with a horse and camel caravan trekking to the uppermost headwaters of this magnificent watershed. Wade/walk for several days between remote spike camps, then float and fish while you continue your downstream journey.
The Classic Canyon Adventure is a weeklong float trip through the stunning wilderness canyon. Cover around 12 miles of entirely new river every day casting for giant taimen, hungry trout, and grayling. End each long summer day in a comfortable ger camp.
Combination trips link both of these adventures for a two week experience that will totally immerse you in the Mongolian wilderness.
Our Approach to Fly Fishing for Taimen
We are now on our third decade of fly fishing for taimen in Mongolia. We learned a long time ago that big taimen spread out and use a lot of water. So…our fly fishing approach mimics the big taimen. We go big, spread out, and cover a lot of water. And, we only use non-motorized drift boats because – just like taimen – we like our rivers quiet and natural.
Our super comfortable taimen camps are well-spaced out over several hundred kilometers of river. Each camp is strategically located one perfect days’ float apart. On the Headwater’s Expedition, cozy tipi-tent spike camps are set up each night in the heart of some of the most spectacular taimen water on the planet.
Each itinerary is about a week long and can be linked together for an extended taimen adventure. Our guests enjoy both walk/wade fishing and floating to cover fresh water every day.
A Typical Day of Taimen Fishing
Mongolian summer days are long and typically sunny, providing a great balance between intense fishing with a relaxed river pace. Every morning after a tasty breakfast we grab our fly rods, walk a few short steps to the river, and start fishing. Some days you’ll start on foot wading the productive waters around camp; other days you’ll hop in a drift boat and start casting your way downstream. While you’re fishing, the camp staff transport all of our gear to the next camp. Every evening, when you arrive at the next stream-side camp, your bags are waiting in your ger or tipi. The bed is made and the shower water is hot. Cocktails at sunset with dinner to follow. After a fun night singing traditional Mongolian folk songs around the campfire, it’s up in the morning to explore entirely new waters.
June to October Fly Fishing Season
We are busy fly fishing for taimen from June through October. Taimen fishing is great any of these months that fit your schedule. We can’t control the weather or the fish, but we do make sure we are on the right stretch of water at the right time of year to ensure your trip is a memorable one filled with opportunities at hooking taimen, trout, and more.
From June to August, we are in north-central Mongolia at our Fish Mongolia operation.
From September to October, we are in eastern Mongolia at our Mongolia River Outfitters location.
Please contact us for specific departure dates and availability, or sign up for our e-newsletters and regular updates.
Non-Angling Companions and Excursions
Mongolia is amazing, and so much more than just a fishing trip. There is a lot to experience. Our fly fishing visitors commonly add travel to other parts of the country. Very often, non-angling companions will join the float trips and/or go visit another part of Mongolia while you’re out chasing taimen and trout.
We regularly arrange horse-riding stays at comfortable ger camps, guided tours of remote monasteries, visits to Karakorum, journeys to the Gobi, or train travel to Beijing. Our autumn fly fishing trips with Mongolia River Outfitters match well with the annual Eagle Hunting Festivals. Many guests simply choose to spend a few extra days in Ulaanbaatar before and/or after their fishing trip to relax, sight-see, and shop.
We have a full-time office and staff in Ulaanbaatar and can easily put together bespoke trips. We are more than happy to provide recommendations or you can check out our partners at Nomadic Journeys for a few ideas.
