Why Mongolia Fly Fishing Is a Must for Serious Fisherman (2 Minute Read)
Mongolia, once the land of Genghis Khan and nomadic tribes, is now one of the world’s premier fly-fishing destinations. Each year anglers from across the globe travel to the area’s remote river to try their hand at catching trout, grayling, and perch. Visiting a Mongolia fly fishing lodge for the first time is an adventure; returning is a must!
Travelling to Mongolia is relatively easy. Many airlines fly into the modern capital city of Ulaanbaatar. Once there, you will enjoy all the conveniences of home – luxury accommodations, great food, and access to email, telephones, fax, and reliable cellphone service.
From here, you will travel to your Mongolia fly fishing lodge and have a new adventure.
Most Mongolia fly fishing is done from riverside camps that resemble a hunting safari more closely than a fly-fishing lodge. Guests stay in yurts, large teepee-style tents, with wool throw rugs and wood-burning stoves. There are no cellphones or emails here, just the sound of the river and Starlite nights. A perfect way to disconnect and enjoy fly-fishing in its purest form.
Mongolia enjoys some of the most abundant trout populations in the world. It is not uncommon for anglers to catch and release 20 or 30 fish daily, hampered only by their ability to get the line back in the water. The area waters are home to many species that have disappeared from many other waters.
Grayling is one of the most abundant species and can be found in almost any region’s streams. Lenok trout are also common throughout the area, and their red, gold and black colour scheme make for a handsome trophy. The Amur trout, similar to the Brown trout but larger, is an aggressive, hard-fighting species that are a real challenge on the fly. But, the king of the Mongolian rivers and the species anglers dream of is the Taimen.
The Taimen is the largest member of the trout family, averaging 40 inches in length. Although the Taimen has vanished from most of their natural range thanks to intense conservation efforts, they still thrive in Mongolia. This hard-hitting, ferocious predator is at the top of the food chain. And they are considered by many to be the pinnacle of freshwater fly-fishing.
The Mongolia fly fishing season starts June 15th and runs through November 15th. Although the early season is the best time to target local species, as they are just finishing the spawn, there is a very short window to do so. By mid-June, many rivers will be unpassable due to high water. They will not be fishable for approximately one month. The prime fishing period runs from mid-August through October when trout feed heavily to prepare for the long, cold winter.
If you are targeting Taimen, hiring an approved guide is a must. Taimen can only be taken with a special permit, and international anglers can only obtain this permit using an authorized guide. The government-approved guides have years of experience in local waters and follow strict conservation standards to ensure the species’ survival.
Mongolia River Outfitters is one of only two Mongolian fly fishing lodges permitted to fish Taimen sanctuary waters (Fish Mongolia being the other). They specialize in Taimen fishing but offer trips for native trout, Lenok, Grayling, and Pike. With over 300 kilometres of the river at their camp’s doorstep, every day will offer a new adventure.
Fish Mongolia is an Orvis-endorsed Mongolia fly fishing outfitter that specializes in Taimen fishing. Luxury camps, modern drift boats, and world-renowned guides know how to find the fish and can teach you how to catch them. Whether you are looking for the solitude of wading an isolated stretch for grayling or travelling to a headwater camp by camel Fish Mongolia can deliver. Mongolia, once the land of Genghis Khan and nomadic tribes, is now one of the world’s premier fly-fishing destinations. Each year anglers from across the globe travel to the area’s remote river to try their hand at catching trout, grayling, and perch. Making the trip the first time is an adventure; returning is a must!
Make sure you are ready for your Mongolia fly fishing trip by being repaired with the correct gear. Read our Angler’s Guide: Fly Fishing Gear.
