Mongolia River Outfitters provides guided fly-fishing adventures for Taimen, Amur trout, and lenok from private camps located in the Mongolian wilderness since 1993 and fly-fishing adventures since 1999.
With phenomenal numbers of large Amur trout and lenok, this may be some of the planet’s best trout fishing. But on this river, twenty-inch trout are only a bonus. Taimen are the object of desire for most anglers.
Watching one of these giants absolutely hammer a big dry fly is a life altering experience.
Taimen (Hucho hucho taimen) are the world’s largest salmonid. In Mongolia, these top-tier predators will live for more than fifty years and reach lengths of over sixty inches.
They once inhabited healthy rivers from Europe to Hokkaido, but taimen became isolated and rare as over-harvest and river degradation slowly devastated populations. The remote waters we fish became one of the species’ few remaining strongholds.
Remarkably, the fishing improves every year as a result of diligent stewardship and the formation of a conservation partnership with six county governments and the World Wildlife Foundation to designate the entire river system as the world’s first Taimen Sanctuary.
Protected specifically for taimen, these waters are the only in all Mongolia designated “catch and release” and “fly-fishing only” for all international anglers.
The use of motorboats, construction of permanent tourism infrastructure, introduction of hatchery fish, commercial forestry and mining are now each prohibited within the two hundred mile sanctuary.
THE HOME WATERS OF GHENGHIS KHAN
Lax-a Angling announces an exciting, exotic and faraway destination in the mystical land of the Nomadic Mongolian herdsmen. Here on the high Steepe you will find the very makings of your trip of a lifetime. It is a long ways from everywhere that you may be reading these words, but travel to a land totally surrounded both China and Russia will be an adventure in itself.
We begin our part of your journey in the Mongolian capital of Ulan Batur which can be reached by a number of international airlines via Bejing, Moscow and Seoul.
From Ulan Batur you will explore a cultural whirlwind of sights and sounds and after an evening on the town and an overnight in a top hotel we will fly you to a protected river under the careful watch of environmentally conscious Mongolian River Outfitters (MRO) who have been instrumental in their association with the World Wildlife Fund in establishing the world’s first “Taimen Sanctuary”.
This is a place reserved for traditional culture, flyfishing anglers and wildlife. The river is the only one in Mongolia designated Catch and Release / fly fishing only. Motorized boats, mining, commercial forestry, permanent tourism infrastructure, and hatcheries are outlawed. MRO has agreements that give us access to about three hundred kilometers of river.
TWO MRO PROGRAMS
MRO trips are divided into two programs and run on alternate dates throughout a very short season. We limit each trip to 6 rods per week and a total of only 36 rods for the entire season.
This protects this very valuable resource from over fishing and provides a meaningful experience to all who visit.
The lower river is more mountainous, isolated and holds more water than the upper sections.
The upper and lower sections fish equally well with perhaps slightly better trout fishing on the upper and marginally better taimen fishing on the lower. The scenery is striking on both sections.
The fishing season begins late August when the rivers are clearing after the Summer rainy season and runs until the middle of October when the temperature drops to a somewhat uncomfortable level.
Each year, we establish six ger camps on the upper river and seven tented camps on the lower river. The ger camps are a bit more luxurious while our tented camps access a beautiful and highly remote stretch of river. Seasonal angler numbers are kept low to maintain the river, the fish and the experience.
THE FISHING
We fish for Taimen first and foremost as this is the species that most anglers pick Mongolia in the first place. It is the best in the world and these fish run from 20 inches upwards to near 60 inches in length.
They are strong, aggressive, top-feeding predators that live in beautiful waters. And Taimen strike flys on the surface which makes for a dramatic and most explosive and memorable moment. You will likely see some eye popping big fish during your stay. You can typically expect several taimen shots a day. However, taimen fishing is not easy. Taimen are moody and tough to land. They don’t require Herculean casting skills, but may demand steel-heading patience. Most guests average one or two taimen each day. Most Taimen we have landed have measured in the mid-30 inch to low 40 inch marks.
The best 2010 single angler day was nine taimen netted. In all, MRO netted some 200 Taimen in only four weeks of fishing this past season and literally hundreds of Amur trout and Lenok. Taimen and trout fishing is a combination of drift and wade, much like spending a day on the Yellowstone. Each day on the river, anglers and guides float from camp to camp in fully outfitted oar boats.
Upon arrival at the next downstream camp, the staff has your bags waiting, the bed made, the fire lit and dinner prepared.
This “no drive” schedule maximizes fishing time, allows guests to explore a variety of water without shuttling, and keeps the river very fresh. Every section of river is usually fished only a few days each per year. Fishing is both with streamers and dry flies but mostly on the surface. 5w and 9w single hand rods work well with some folks bringing a 7-8w as well.
Many guests have described the trout fishing as possibly the best in the world. Although that’s a difficult claim to substantiate, anglers should expect days well into the double digits with 30 trout commonly boated in a single good day. Lenok are generally more plentiful than the elusive (and desired) Amurs.
The average size for both species is 18 – 22 inches with many reaching 25 inches or more. They are usually very willing to take a fly, making the enthusiastic trout a nice balance to the obstinate taimen.
Our guides, camps, and staff are some of the best in the business. Experiencing Mongolian hospitality from the comfort of a remote fishing camp with a wonderful group of people is a highlight and often the primary reason guests return for many seasons of fishing. The guides are from Mongolia, Chile and the US. They each have years of experience working in Mongolia and are extremely knowledgeable and excellent fishing companions. The Ger and Tent camps are each dismantled at the end of every season, leaving no trace.
WEATHER AND PACKING
The weather is usually defined by clear, warm days and cool nights. Rain is more likely in the early season and cold more likely later in the late season. However, it is not uncommon to experience a couple of cold days (40’sF/5’sC) in early September and very warm days in early October (70’sF/20’sC). Several months before your trip, MRO will provide you with a comprehensive packing list. MRO supplies flies. Guests bring their own rods, reels, waders, and other personal gear. It’s about the same as preparing for a trip to Montana or Iceland in early fall.
TRIP DATES AND ITINERARY
We are offering five departures in 2011, each limited to six anglers. The trips begin and end in the capital city of Ulan Bator (ULN).
UPPER RIVER GER CAMPS: US$ 4,950
Upper Trip Number One : Sept 2 – 10
Upper Trip NumberTwo: Sept 16 – 24
Upper Trip Number Three: Sept 30 – Oct 8
LOWER RIVER TENTED CAMPS: US$ 5,550
Lower River trip Number One: Sept 8 – 18
Lower Trip Number Two: Sept 22 – Oct 2
UPPER AND LOWER RIVER COMBINATION TRIPS: US$8500
Several guests are now choosing to combine upper and lower river trips. Linking the two adventures is quite easy. Most guests start on the upper river trip and just continue right through with the lower river. These anglers enjoy thirteen amazing fishing days exploring approximately 200 kilometers (120 miles) of river. This is the ultimate Mongolia fishing experience
All prices above include two nights hotel in Ulan Bator(ULN), airport transfers, transfer to / from the river (e.g., Cessna Caravan), licenses, camp drinks and meals, and guides. Meals / drinks in ULN are not included.
You will find many outfitters willing to sell you a cheaper trip. However, in many circumstances they will not have the experience necessary to get you in front of a taimen nor an agreement that gives them access to a healthy taimen river. More importantly, if you choose a cheaper outfitter, it is likely that you will not be
fishing legally. Proper licenses for international anglers can cost hundreds of dollars and must be secured from national, state, and local governments. Without the proper permits, you risk a fine, loss of equipment and deportation. This sounds harsh, but too many innocent anglers have ended up in this unfortunate situation.
FLIGHTS AND VISA
US citizens do not currently require a visa prior to arrival in Mongolia. Please contact us regarding other nationalities. MIAT, Air China, and Korean Air are the primary international carriers serving Ulan Bator (ULN). Most guests fly to ULN via Beijing or Seoul. Guests arriving from Europe may fly to ULN via Moscow or Berlin.
Please contact Fred
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and Arni Bald
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