Taimen in Mongolia: fly fishing for the world's largest salmonid

Deep in the Siberian taiga of northern Mongolia, the Sisegid and Tengis rivers flow through broad valleys and ancient larch forests. This is home to taimen, the world's largest salmonid. Locally known as the "River Wolf", anyone who has seen a taimen strike a fly on the surface understands why.

Taimen, the river wolf

Taimen, Hucho taimen, is the apex predator in the river system and feeds mainly on trout and grayling. This is not a numbers game. A good week often means just a few truly excellent opportunities. The average fish is around 80 centimetres and 4–5 kilos, but fish over a metre are caught every week, and a taimen measuring 120–150 centimetres is always possible.

What makes the fishing special is the surface action. Taimen attack mouse imitations and waking flies stripped across the surface, and sometimes the same fish will strike at the fly again and again before finally hooking up.

Lenok, grayling and pike

Between taimen sessions, there is plenty of other fishing to enjoy. Lenok inhabit flowing water and take dry flies, terrestrials and smaller streamers. Grayling offer technical dry-fly fishing and are found in good numbers. Pike are also present in some waters.

Strict catch and release

Fishing takes place in a protected area where all fish are released. Only barbless single hooks are permitted, ensuring the fishery remains healthy for future generations.

The trip and life at camp

You fly to Ulaanbaatar and spend the first night in a hotel. Then you take a domestic flight to Moron, and from there continue by car and boat to the riverside camp. During the week, you have seven full days of fishing, with two anglers per guide.

You stay in riverside camps right by the water. The food is rustic and traditional, with breakfast, lunch and dinner every day. There are no roads, mobile coverage or Wi-Fi here, and that is part of the point. On the way home, you have time to see a little of Ulaanbaatar before your flight home.

When and for whom?

The season in Mongolia runs from June into autumn, but our trips take place in August, when conditions are often excellent for taimen, grayling and lenok. You do not need to be an expert, but the trip is best suited to those with some fly fishing experience who enjoy active fishing with lots of casting. Spinning is also possible. Swedish citizens do not need a visa for tourist stays of up to 30 days.

Which rods, lines and flies to pack are listed in our taimen equipment guide.

Interested in Mongolia?

Our departures are in August. Get in touch if you’d like to know more about the itinerary.

See the fly fishing trip to Mongolia

Frequently asked questions about fishing in Mongolia