Andean Anglers

For the 2010 season, Mongolia River Outfitters is offering 3 different programs - there's something for everyone!

Bountiful fish. Peaceful fishing. The river supports robust populations of taimen, lennok, and grayling. The nearby lakes hold very large pike and perch. Many of these fish are endemic only to this river system.

The watershed fished by Mongolia River Outfitters is a beautiful fishery. The streams most famous residents are the Taimen (Hucho taimen). Having bragging rights as the world's largest member of the Salmonidae family, the Taimen in this river will typically average 100 cm (over three feet) and anglers regularly encounter monsters that approach 150 cm (nearly five feet). Most drift boats will hook at least one Taimen daily. However, they've had boats hook more than ten good-sized fish in a single day.

The streams also produce phenomenal numbers of Lenok (Brachymystax lenok). Lenok are found only in NE Asia. The Onon holds two types, common (sharp) and Amur (snub). These endemics resemble brown trout in looks and habits. However, Lenok are not trout (family salmonidae genus trutta). Like Taimen, they are a salmonid that inhabits their own ancient branch of the family tree. A typical Amur measures at least 50 cm (over twenty inches). With the right hatch, boats commonly land over fifty of these beautiful lunkers in a single day.

The moving water compares favorably with any Montana fly stream. Placing flies into a variety of pools, riffles, banks and eddies from the drift boat with consistent medium and short casts is usually productive.

MRO float the river in non-motorized oar boats (Aire "Super Pumas") outfitted with comfortable casting frames and seats. Each thirteen foot boat carries two clients and one guide with plenty of cargo space for lunch and other necessities. The local and foreign guides live to fish and really love these waters. Although the river levels fluctuate with weather, there are no significant "rapids".

The ideal rig for catching taimen is a 9 or 10 weight rod casting large mouse or streamer patterns. A five-weight rod with smaller trout patterns (both wet and dry) produces healthy lennok and grayling. The perch and pike take a variety of poppers and streamers cast from the larger rods using belly boats. MRO have a good supply of flies and tying equipment on hand at camp.

Great food. Excellent Guides. Comfortable camps. MRO provides multi-day rafting adventures and camp-based guided fishing trips in the Mongolian wilderness. From their private camp along the Onon River, they offer discerning clients exclusive access to nearly two hundred miles of pristine waters including the main-stem, two large tributaries, several spring creeks and lakes.

Exotic. Remote. Private. Imagine your favorite stream. Now remove every other boat, shop, picnicker, and angler from the image. Let the water flow through smoky mountains haunted by wolves and wild elk. Put in an intimate, comfortable camp with great food and professional guides. Take a few liberties and feed the river with clear spring creeks and make it a hundred miles long. Fill the streams with taimen - the world's largest salmonid - and lennok and grayling and, for variety, throw in a couple of ponds with perch and pike.

No Fences. No Dams. Good horses. Mongolia reminds most folks of the American West… with a significant distinction; Development does not constrain Mongolia's countryside. No dams and few paved roads or fences blight the scenery and most locals continue the ages old nomadic, horse-riding lifestyle.

Spring waters. Forested mountains. Grassy meadows. The river flows through broad valleys flanked by larch, pine and birch covered mountains. Local wildlife includes a host of rare birds, wolves, brown bear, moose, elk, musk and roe deer.

Big sky days. Star filled nights. Nice bed. MRO have run Mongolia expeditions for nearly two decades and are proud to have provided exceptional travel adventures for some of the world's most discerning clients.

The English speaking staff delivers exceptional, friendly, informed service with the objective of making the wilderness experience a relaxing pleasure. We know you like to eat well and our cooks are up to the challenge. They create sumptuous meals perfectly suited to western tastes.

Guests are accommodated in Mongolian gers (yurts). These spacious, dome shaped structures are constructed with a wooden frame insulated by layers of felt and weatherproof canvas. Each ger has ample space to walk around and is completed with a wood stove, two twin beds with linens, table and chairs. Bathroom facilities are ex-suite. And yes, the showers are hot.

2010 Season Trip Dates:

Upper River Float	Arrive Mongolia	Depart Mongolia
Trip One	9/1	9/9
Trip Two	9/15	9/23
Trip Three	9/29	10/7
Lower River Float
Trip One	9/7	9/17
Trip Two	9/21	10/1
Drive & Float
Trip One	8/31	9/10
Trip Two	9/14	9/24
Trip Three	9/28	10/9

view Upper River Float Sample Itinerary (PDF format)

view Lower River Sample Itinerary (PDF format)