Mongolia Taimen
Fly Fishing the Eg-Uur Rivers
Two Taimen Camps
Catch a 60-inch Siberian trout on a dry fly. The last three taimen world records were set here on dries. Two remote camps provide access to 120+ miles of river by jet boat. For this trip, you'll stay at one camp during the week and jet boat to new water each day.
Mongolia is roughly the size of Alaska and is bordered by Russia to the north and China to the south. Mongolia is the least densely populated country in the world. It has highly diverse terrain—vast semi-desert and desert plains, extensive grasslands, unbroken larch and pine forests, and high mountains. The taimen fishing camps sit amid fertile valleys, thick forests, and surrounding mountains. Elk herds, wolves, roe deer, and bears inhabit the terrain.
2027 USD Rate:
8 nights / 6.5 days guided fishing: $8,300 per person
+ $950 charter flight to Camp
+ $500 fishing license.
Two Taimen Fishing Camps
Our outfitter’s permits are on the Eg River and the Ur River in north-central Mongolia. They’ve offered taimen fishing trips here since 1995. There are two camps: the Eg-Ur Camp, near the confluence of the Eg and Ur rivers, and the Tarialan Camp, on the lower Eg River.
Taimen, the largest fish in the salmon family on Earth, can reach lengths of over 60 inches! They are aggressive and known for their explosive strike; sometimes, they leap out of the water when striking. It's important not to pull too soon. Keep stripping until you feel the weight of the taimen, then set the hook with a strip. If you miss, cast your fly again. This aggressive fish may very well strike again! Although they primarily eat small fish, taimen will consume almost anything they can fit in their mouth, including small mammals and even ducklings.
The Eg-Uur Fishery
The camps combine a friendly atmosphere and plenty of fishing water. Each camp has access to over 75 miles of water. Fly-fishing-only with single barbless hooks and catch-and-release only.
It's hard to imagine these large prehistoric fish living in these waters. The rivers are clear and easy to wade, a fly angler’s dream. The banks are easy to walk, ranging from 40 to 120 feet wide. Oddly enough, the largest taimen to date was taken on a mouse pattern in a particularly narrow stretch of the river. Taimen, Lenok, Arctic grayling, and Amur pike are all in the region.
Here, most fly-caught taimen are between 25 and 40 inches and roughly 10 pounds. However, anglers will have chances to catch fish over 50 inches almost every week. The camp record is a 60.5" taimen, weighing between 60 and 80 pounds.
PDF Article on Mongolia Taimen Camp
Lenok and Grayling Fishing
Lenok looks like a brown trout with the mouth of a tarpon. Lenok typically average 18 inches and are very entertaining to catch on lighter fly rods. Larger lenok often feed on mouse patterns and streamers.
During hatches, two things become apparent: one, the rivers of Mongolia are full of 12- to 18-inch Amur grayling, and two, Taimen consider grayling a delicacy. Like the lenok, grayling provides good sport and action on dries. Fishing for lenok is similar to trout fishing in Montana—early fall favors terrestrials, while late fall brings strong mayfly action.
When the lenok feast on mayflies, Taimen often feast on lenok.
The Fishing Program:
2027 Fishing Weeks: August 30 through October 11, 2027.
Group Size: The Camp is limited to six anglers per week.
Boats: 18 ft. aluminum jet boats with 40-HP Mariner outboard motors. Two anglers per boat and guide.
You'll mostly be wade fishing. However, Atlantic salmon-style drops are possible for anglers who enjoy a break from wading.
Each boat is equipped with life jackets, tools, an emergency kit, and a cooler for food and drinks.
Guides: Personable, English-speaking guide staff (many from Montana), all with at least ten years of experience in high-quality lodges and camps.
Fishing Equipment: No equipment is provided. The guides will have all the leaders and tippets you'll need for fishing. Stainless steel hooks are prohibited; bring black hooks if bringing your own flies. A comprehensive tackle and gear list is included in our confirmation packet.
Fishing License: A fishing license in Mongolia costs $500 USD (2027) and is not included in the package.
A Typical Fishing Day:
7:00 a.m. Coffee's on.
8:00 a.m. - Breakfast.
9:00 a.m. Start fishing.
Midday - Lunch is served at the Lodge or as a shore lunch of barbecued steak, venison, or pork prepared by your guide.
6:00 p.m. Return to the camp, enjoy a hot shower, and then appetizers.
8:00 p.m. - Dinnertime.
Weather: Weather is similar to Montana in September, with cool mornings and afternoons rarely above 70 degrees.
Situated on nice stretches of river in the remote outback of Mongolia, the two strategically located Taimen Camps allow anglers access to over 120 combined miles of river by jet boat. These remote camps have limited access to the outside world, enhancing the fishery and the adventure. Each camp has gers (yurts), a dining lodge, a bathhouse, a shower facility, and two masseuses, making it one of Mongolia's most comfortable fishing camps. An on-site generator supplies 110-volt electricity for charging video cameras, satellite phones, and other devices. There is no cell phone reception. Satellite calls from Camp are $2.00 per minute.
Anglers stay in traditional Mongolian gers, which are felt tents wrapped around a collapsible wooden frame. Each ger is 9 feet high by 18 feet wide and accommodates two anglers. Each yurt has two twin beds, plenty of room for your gear, hot water for washing your hands and face, and a sitting area near the woodstove.
Meals: In the dining yurt, you'll enjoy Mongolian and American dishes prepared by professionally trained chefs.
Beverages: Beer, soft drinks, and occasionally wine are provided at the Camps and included in the package. You can also purchase desired alcohol on the way here at duty-free stores at airports or in Ulaanbaatar.
Ger (yurt) and Camel at Camp
Getting Here
and Sample Itinerary:
You’ll fly to Ulaanbaatar (nicknamed UB), Mongolia, via Seoul, South Korea, or Beijing, China.
Sunday: A Camp representative will meet you at the international airport in Ulaanbaatar and drive you to the Ibis Hotel, where you'll stay your first night. The hotel is near downtown and features a Brazilian restaurant on the main floor. Dinner is on your own. Please note that the hotel stay ($175 per person per night) is not included in the package.
Monday: At 9:00 a.m., you'll be driven to the airport for your flight to camp. For travel from Ulaanbaatar to the camp, you'll take a two-hour helicopter flight directly to the camp or a 1.25-hour fixed-wing flight and then a one-hour drive from the landing strip to the camp. You can fish upon arrival if time allows. Please note that the flights between UB and Camp are not included in the package and cost $950 per person (2027). For the charter flight, the baggage weight limit is 15 kg (33.06 pounds).
Tuesday to Sunday: Six full days of fishing.
Departure Day from Camp:
Monday: After breakfast, you’ll fly back to Ulaanbaatar. You'll spend the night again at the Ibis Hotel. Dinner is on your own.
Tuesday: Transfer to the airport for your return trip to the U.S.
2027 USD Rate:
Fishing Weeks: August 30 through October 11, 2027.
8 nights / 6.5 days guided fishing:
(6 nights at Camp and 2 hotel nights)
$8,300 per person
+ $950 charter flight to Camp
= $9,250 per person
+ $500 for a fishing license
Single-occupancy ger: Add $1,500.
Rates are subject to change.
Request a Mongolia Taimen
Information Packet,
The Package Includes:
• Airport reception in Ulaanbaatar
• Ground transfers between the hotel/airport in Ulaanbaatar
• Breakfast at the hotel
• 6.5 days guided fishing
• Flies, leaders, and tippets
• 6 nights Lodging at Camp
• All meals at Camp
• Beer, sodas, and some wine at Camp
The Package Does Not Include:
• Airfare to and from Mongolia• First and last night hotel stay in UB, $175 x 2
• Meals in UB
• Flights between UB and Camp, $950 p.p.
• Gratuities to guides and staff
• Fishing license, $500 (2027) paid with invoice
• Fishing equipment
• Incidental expenses
• Mandatory Global Rescue or similar medical evacuation coverage
• Travel Insurance
• Anything not listed under inclusions.
