Mongolia offers one of the world's great wild fishing adventures. Deep in the vast wilderness of northern Mongolia, anglers can fish for taimen, Amur trout and lenok on hundreds of miles of pristine, protected river.

The star of the show is undoubtedly the taimen. Often described as the world's largest salmonid, these magnificent predators can reach extraordinary proportions and are capable of spectacular surface attacks. Watching a huge taimen explode onto a well-presented fly in a remote Mongolian river is one of the most exhilarating experiences in freshwater fishing.

This is not simply a fishing trip. It is a genuine wilderness expedition, combining superb fly fishing with remote rivers, traditional Mongolian hospitality and a unique camp-to-camp journey through some of the country's most untouched landscapes.

Taimen Fishing

The fishing is exclusively catch-and-release and fly fishing for international anglers.

More than 200 taimen are typically caught during a season, with the majority measuring between 75 and 100cm. Several fish over a metre are landed, while fish approaching 150cm have been recorded.

Taimen are powerful, aggressive predators and can be encountered throughout the river system. The fishing involves a combination of wading and floating, with guides constantly searching for fish in pools, runs and slower margins.

The possibility of seeing a large taimen follow or attack a fly is one of the great attractions. Some fish can be remarkably aggressive, while others demand careful presentation and persistence. Every encounter is memorable, particularly when it takes place against the backdrop of the Mongolian wilderness.

Amur trout and lenok provide additional opportunities and add considerable variety to the fishing. Depending on conditions and location, anglers may target all three species during their stay.

A River Expedition

The fishing is organised around a unique camp-to-camp float programme.

Each morning, anglers leave camp with their guide and float downstream, fishing fresh water throughout the day. Rather than returning to the same lodge each evening, you arrive at a completely new camp downstream.

By the time you arrive, the camp staff have transported your luggage, prepared your bed, lit the fire and made dinner. There is no daily driving or lengthy vehicle transfers, meaning almost the entire day can be devoted to fishing.

The system also keeps the river fresh. Each section is generally fished for only a few days during the season, allowing anglers to explore a remarkable variety of water without constantly covering the same pools.

With just six anglers per trip, the experience is intimate and genuinely remote.

The Taimen Sanctuary

The river system is protected as the world's first dedicated taimen sanctuary, established with the involvement of six Mongolian local governments and the World Wildlife Fund.

These rivers are among the few waters in Mongolia where catch-and-release is mandatory for all anglers, while international anglers are required to fish with flies.

The conservation programme is fundamental to the future of the fishery and helps protect one of the world's last truly wild taimen populations.

Fishing here therefore comes with the privilege of experiencing an extraordinary ecosystem while contributing to its long-term protection.

Mongolian Wilderness Camps

The accommodation is best thought of as a Mongolian version of a luxury tented safari.

The camps are rustic but remarkably comfortable, with each one designed to fit naturally into its surroundings. There are no generators, televisions or background noise — just the river, the wind in the trees, campfires and the extraordinary night sky.

Accommodation is provided in traditional gers, the round felt-lined tents that have been used by Mongolian nomadic communities for centuries.

Each ger sleeps two guests and contains two comfortable beds with linen and blankets, simple furniture, wool carpets and a wood-burning stove. On cooler mornings, staff can light the stove before sunrise, making for a wonderfully atmospheric start to the day.

Separate camp facilities provide hot showers and private toilets, while a dedicated dining and cook tent is the social centre of the camp. Meals are freshly prepared each day, and drinks are included.

The camp staff are an important part of the experience. Mongolian hospitality is renowned, and the teams working in these remote camps are warm, attentive and exceptionally hardworking.

A True Wilderness Experience

There is a wonderful simplicity to life on the river.

During the day, you are floating and wading through remote wilderness, looking for some of the world's most powerful freshwater fish. In the evening, you arrive at a new camp, enjoy a hot shower and dinner, and settle into your ger as the fire burns and the stars appear overhead.

There are no roads to shuttle along each day and no busy lodges or crowds of anglers. Instead, the river itself becomes the journey.

It is this combination of exceptional fishing, remoteness and adventure that makes Mongolia such a special destination.

Upper or Lower River

Trips can be arranged on either the Upper River or Lower River, each offering its own character and fishing opportunities.

For anglers who want to experience as much of the river system as possible, it is also possible to combine the Upper and Lower River programmes into a longer expedition.

When to Go

The fishing season runs from late August through to mid-October.

The timing coincides with the cooler autumn conditions in Mongolia and provides excellent opportunities for taimen, alongside Amur trout and lenok. As the season progresses, the landscape takes on its autumn colours, adding another dimension to an already spectacular environment.

Suggested Packages

Upper or Lower River

Two nights in Ulaanbaatar

All transfers

Six nights' accommodation in the wilderness camps

Six days' fishing

Conservation fees and fishing licences

All meals

All drinks

Combined Upper and Lower River

For the ultimate Mongolian fishing expedition:

Two nights in Ulaanbaatar

All transfers

Twelve nights' accommodation in the wilderness camps

Twelve days' fishing

Conservation fees and fishing licences

All meals

All drinks

Trips are limited to six anglers, so early planning is recommended.

Please contact us to discuss your Mongolian taimen fishing adventure. We can advise on the best river section and timing for your group and arrange the complete trip from arrival in Ulaanbaatar through to your return journey.