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Fishing for taimen in the footsteps of Genghis Khan
Endless expanses, breathtaking nature, and incredibly hospitable people—that’s how you could describe Mongolia in just a few words. But of course, such a brief summary does not begin to do justice to what this country in the Far East is truly all about. You simply have to experience it for yourself. A population of just around 3 million people is spread across an area roughly four times the size of Germany—about half of them in the capital, Ulaanbaatar. In rural areas, however, you’re more likely to encounter some of the country’s 80 million livestock (horses, cattle, goats, sheep, yaks, and camels), and with a population density of about 2 people per square kilometer (compared to Germany’s roughly 230 people per square kilometer), you’ll hardly notice anyone. This makes Mongolia, which lies at an average elevation of about 1,500 meters above sea level, not only one of the least densely populated countries on Earth, but also farther from any sea than any other country. This combination results in an extreme highland continental climate, with sometimes significant temperature fluctuations—not only with the changing seasons, but also from day to day, or even hour to hour. Mongolia has a culture dating back thousands of years, and it is said that the Mongol Empire under Genghis Khan was once the largest in the world.
Fishing Trips to Mongolia
However, the fact that every sea is extremely far away does not mean that there is little water. The country is home to some 1,200 rivers alone, with a total length of about 70,000 km.
So what makes Mongolia so appealing to sport fishermen? Well, first and foremost, there’s one species worth mentioning: the taimen. This fish species, related to the European huchen, magically attracts anglers from all over the world, because whether you’re a spin or fly fisherman—catching a taimen is undoubtedly one of the absolute highlights in an angler’s life, and there’s probably no other place on earth where the prospects for catching salmonids are as good as they are here. The best area for taimen fishing is located in northern Mongolia in the Selenga River system, one of the largest rivers in Mongolia. And here, it is particularly the so-called Eg River that is the focus of taimen anglers. The river, called “Egiin Gol” by the Mongolians, stretches 535 km before flowing into the Selenga, which in turn drains into Lake Baikal. Thanks to extensive conservation measures, the healthy taimen population has fortunately been preserved to this day. Strict catch-and-release is enforced.
Fishing Vacation in Mongolia — The Taimen
The taimen is also called the “river wolf” by the Mongolians. Not because it looks fearsome (for that certainly cannot be said of this beautiful fish), but rather because it often hunts in groups and—much like a pack of wolves—swims in a coordinated formation to give its prey no chance of escape. Taimen belong to the salmonids (i.e., salmon-like fish) and can grow to impressive sizes.
In fact, the taimen is the largest of all salmonids. There are reports of a fish said to have reached a length of 2.10 meters and weighed over 100 kg. Realistically, however, it must be said that fish measuring 1.50 meters or more are already extremely rare. The current IGFA world record stands at just under 50 kg for a length of 150 cm. Specimens around one meter in length can certainly be considered good catches. Fishing is done with spinning lures and/or fly fishing. Fishing for taimen is hard work, and the fish are not easy to catch—but those with enough perseverance will have a chance to land one or even several of these “river wolves.”
As bycatch—provided you fish with appropriately smaller lures—the lenok (a Mongolian trout species) and the grayling are worth mentioning, both of which can be caught in fairly large numbers.
Season: June 15–July 5, and late August through mid- to late October. The rainy season runs from mid-July through mid-August, during which the river becomes very murky due to high water levels. During the summer months, mosquitoes are more prevalent. By early October at the latest, temperature fluctuations can become quite drastic, and you must prepare for winter conditions. Nighttime and daytime frosts are just as common here as the first snowfalls of the approaching winter.
The boats
Currently, there are 2 aluminum boats (about 4–5 meters long) equipped with 30–50 hp outboard motors, as well as 2 inflatable boats (with 20–30 hp motors). Fishing takes place both from the boats and from the shore. All boats are captained by experienced skippers/guides. You will have a guide by your side throughout the entire fishing day to assist you. Most guides speak English.
Stone Ridge Lodge
Once you look at a map to get a sense of exactly where you are, it’s all the more astonishing that a lodge of such high quality has been built in such a remote area. You could hardly find a more comfortable place to stay in this region. Just a few meters from the riverbank, this lodge is nestled in the heart of a stunning natural landscape. The lodge consists of 3 very cozy cabins that can accommodate up to 3 anglers (though usually only 2 guests). All cabins are equipped with a bathroom (shower/toilet) and Starlink internet. There is also an additional cabin offering 2 apartments, each with 2 beds, and featuring the same high standard. In the summer, traditional Mongolian yurt tents are also set up, where the staff primarily stay—though even here, the comfort far exceeds what one would normally expect from a tent.
The heart of the lodge is a large common room with a bar and an attached kitchen. This is also where meals (breakfast and dinner) are served and where guests share their experiences in the evening after a day of fishing. Lunch is usually enjoyed on the riverbank. The lodge generates its own electricity using private generators, which typically run from around 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM.
The boats are located a short walk away down by the riverbank.
Tent Camp
Of the 8 nights planned at Stone Ridge Lodge, 2 of them are scheduled to be spent at a tent camp, about 60 km upstream. This can be viewed as a small extra expedition and is a truly unique experience. On the one hand, you’ll naturally be fishing in a completely different area, which consistently yields good taimen catches—but on the other hand, this is truly unspoiled nature, leaving impressions you’ll never forget. Until around mid-September, temperatures are still mild enough that you can sleep in a tent without any problems. However, if you’re sensitive to the cold, you should avoid camping in October.
We can put together a customized offer for your planned taimen fishing trip to Mongolia—tailored entirely to your personal needs. Just ask us!
