Taimen on the fly
Casting for Giants
The Taimen are a pre-historic mega-fish, a giant trout; they are renowned for feeding on small mammals and ducklings and willingly take a surface fly imitating a mouse. An ancient ancestor of the salmon they exhibit many similarities, but unlike salmon they do not run out to the oceans, spending their entire life-cycle in the rivers where they were spawned.
Traditionally Mongolian’s didn’t eat fish leaving the rivers in a pristine state. Left alone and growing slowly to great sizes, Taimen can live to over 40 years old and can reach 70 inches in length, perhaps even to 200 pounds in weight. However, the largest sport caught Taimen range from 50 to 60 inches but even these giants are rare; the average size is nearer to 30 inches.
“This was my third trip to Mongolia: the scenery was spectacular, with fall colors showing in the larch forests lining the rocky hills along the way; and the fishing was the best ever. In a word, it was exceptional. Our group caught countless lenok, numerous grayling, and 23 taimen up to 55 inches in length. The biggest taimen were caught in white water rapids where the water temperature was cooler and oxygen levels higher than the surrounding water; and the gurgler was again by far and away the winning fly pattern. Five to six-inch long streamers imitating lenok also produced well, but gurglers caught everything from big taimen to average-sized (20 to 24-inch) lenok and even feisty grayling.” Tom Gorman 2007.
The thrill of fly-fishing for these freshwater giants is experiencing the strike when the fish takes the fly. They will explode on the fly sometimes coming completely out of the water, or even smashing the fly with their tail first. They clearly intend to swallow their prey whole or otherwise stun and drown it first. On witnessing this impressive smash and grab many anglers strike too soon and miss the hook up with their quarry; the trick is to keep stripping until you feel the weight of the fish, then lift the rod to set the hook.
Once the fight is on, Taimen will charge around the pool, often going airborne, or boring deep to the sanctuary of the depths, shaking their head like a dog with a bone. Just as you think she’s ready to come into the bank, the Taimen will turn charging back to the middle of the river. As soon as the Taimen begins to tire bring her to the shallows, keeping the fish in the water grasp the tail with one hand while using your pliers to flip out the barbless hook with your other hand. Best to have a guide or buddy on hand to help unhook and photograph your catch. Then gently revive the fish, holding her until she regains the strength to swim off; she’ll soon be fully recovered to terrorize the grayling population and spawn again next spring.
Fly or Spin. Several of our trips are designated fly-fishing only; on others both fly-fishing and spinning is possible. Remember that whatever the method, only single hooks can be used, and all Taimen must be carefully released.
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Site description: Fly Fishing Mongolia with Fish Mongolia - fly fishing for taimen in Mongolia - Mongolia fishing outfitters, guides, expeditions, rafting and float trips in Mongolia. Fly fishing for Taimen, Lenok Trout, and Grayling at our own Mongolian Taimen fishing camps with Andy Parkinson. Keywords: fishing mongolia, taimen, mongolia, fishing, fly-fishing, fly fishing, flyfishing, mongolia fishing, fish, fish mongolia, guide, guides, tour, travel, mongolia travel, float trip, floattrip, andy parkinson, hucho, huchen, hucho taimen.
