Taimen fishing in Mongolia continues to improve, much of this due to the continued hard work from local communities and conservationists. Along with taimen, the Mongolian operations also offer excellent fly fishing for lenok trout, grayling, Amur pike and Amur trout.
The Mongolian trips fill up quickly, and there are limited spaces for this season. Now is the time to look at 2024 dates to secure your preferred week.
Mongolia Visa Changes
The Mongolian cabinet have declared 2023-2025 as the “Years to Visit Mongolia”, and with that they have decided to open up visa-free travel for an additional 34 countries. This will make travel even easier for anglers looking to try out taimen fishing in one of the last great wildernesses.
The citizens of the following countries will be subject to the Cabinet’s decision:
Austria, Belgium, Hungary, Greece, Denmark, Spain, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Finland, France, Croatia, Czech, Sweden, Estonia, Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Ireland, Cyprus, Romania, Monaco, UK, Australia, and New Zealand.
Note: this is in addition to those countries already exempt, including the USA, Canada, Japan, Argentina, Chile, Germany, and a few others.
Travel to Mongolia
Travel to Mongolia is relatively easy. There are multiple non-stop flights between Seoul and Ulaanbaatar and direct flights from most major international hubs service Seoul. Istanbul is an eight hour flight and there are currently six non-stop flights a week so this is a good choice if you are travelling from Europe.
Mongolian Rivers Outfitters Adventure
Mongolian River Outfitters have such a vast conservation area of prime taimen water that they have designed three float options that allow anglers to fish great water while resting large areas to avoid over fishing. The newest programme is the Buryat Headwaters, a chance for a small group to venture far up into this relatively unexplored river system. The Upper River Adventure is the classic MRO journey, great comfort, six days fishing and new water daily. The Lower River Expedition is a float that trip accesses a very beautiful and remote stretch of the river. Seven days fishing, new water daily and accommodation in a cosy ger camp and comfortable tented camps. As well as the taimen and lenok trout the river is also home to Amur pike and Amur trout.
2024 Season
Upper River Onon Adventure
18 – 27 September (Upper Onon) – 1 rod
23 September – 2 October – 2 rods
Lower River Adventure
15 to 26 September – 3 rods
5 to 16 October – 6 rods
For more information, contact Alex Jardine or contact us on ++44 1980 847389.
Fish Mongolia Canyons Adventure
The Delger River which flows through western Mongolia is a beautiful freestone river shadowed by limestone and granite cliffs rising hundreds of feet above it. Steep gorges filled with larch and birch forests cascade towards the valley floor. Extremely large taimen lurk here within the easily negotiated rapids and rock gardens. Banks covered with willows give way to deep pools, sparkling braids and wide gravel bars. Numerous lenok trout lie in wait for a big dry fly to float by and offer tremendous light tackle sport.
The canyon float trips are perfect for anglers looking to explore amazing stretches of productive wild water in a bit of comfort. The trips accommodate four to six anglers and groups float downstream each day between a string of well appointed ger camps. The cosy gers are furnished with traditional artisan pieces, full linen and lovely Mongolian wool blankets. The camps have a shower ger with plenty of hot water. Meals are often taken al fresco allowing anglers to chat and relax during the beautiful, long evenings. Waking on a cool summer morning to a warm crackling fire and a fresh cup of coffee delivered to your ger on a grassy Mongolian meadow is unforgettable.
2024 Season
Lower Canyon Adventure (Starts at Camp 3, 6 days on the river)
24 July – 2 August – 4 rods
Classic Canyon Adventure (Starts at Camp 1, 7 days on the river)
15 – 25 June – 4 rods
15 -25 July – 3 rods
20 – 30 July – 4 rods
14 – 24 August – 3 rods
16 – 26 August – 1 rod
For more information, contact Alex Jardine or contact us on ++44 1980 847389.
Fish Mongolia Headwaters Expedition
The guides call this place “The Temple”. The river here is extremely isolated and strikingly beautiful. Steep, forested walls frame the boulder filled stream. The high-country river is very well protected and holds ancient taimen that rarely see a fly. The Headwaters Expedition is about quality, not quantity. You fish meticulously, quietly walk/wading accompanied by a professional guide. There are some enormous fish in these waters. When the river is clear, there are opportunities to sight fish for extremely large taimen reaching 60 inches. The trout fishing is generally spectacular.
During the first morning on the river, the local team load up camels and horses and everyone journeys into the remote headwaters together. The camels carry all the gear, including boats and on the trip upstream guests either hike or ride horses. The route has a gradual elevation and several river crossings.
Over the next week, anglers work downstream covering a good amount of water each day. The first few days involve walking and wading downstream, the last couple of days are spent floating through the upper canyon.
The camps are a mix of expedition tipis with simple furnishings and well appointed seasonal ger camps. Each camp has a dining tent or ger with a wood stove and a hot shower.
This rugged trip is limited to only four anglers per departure. It’s a wonderful adventure and great for anyone with a reasonable level of fitness looking for something out of the ordinary and an opportunity to explore a remote and highly productive stretch of wilderness river.
2024 Season
14 – 23 June – 1 rod
For more information, contact Alex Jardine or contact us on ++44 1980 847389.
Sweetwater Camp
Located in the Khövsgöl region of northern Mongolia, the Sweetwater operation created the world’s first taimen conservation project, working with the local communities to protect this truly incredible fish. The ger camp is situated on the banks of the river and is your base while you explore the Eg-Ur watershed by motorised boats each day. As with all the operations, most of the fishing for taimen is done with dry flies, including big mouse imitations, as taimen love to attack a skated dry fly.
Availability upon request.
Please note that due to the limited number of rods space can change quickly and some rods may no longer be available.
For more information on fly fishing trips in Mongolia please contact Alex Jardine or call our office on +44(0)1980 847389.