Trip Report by Nathan Ward
Thanks to Andy, Dan and Cody for an amazing fly fishing experience on the Delger-Muron River. After traveling to Mongolia on and off for 15 years, I thought I’d seen most of what the country had to offer. But Andy promised us a wild river that almost no one knew about and he delivered.
Cody and Andrea on the morning commute. Photo: Nathan Ward.
From the airport in Muren, we bumped our way over the grassy Mongolian Steppe past nomad tents and herds. At first I thought “No way is there a big river hidden out here!” But we snuck on a trackless route over a few hills and down a steep valley into a hidden canyon where a beautiful river stretched out before us.
The Delger-Muron River Valley is absolutely stunning – a wide river alternating between rapids and deep pools, a wildflower laced valley floor and big high cliffs like bookmarks on either side. It’s one of the nicest places I’ve seen in Mongolia and there wasn’t a village for miles in any direction. We had the entire river to ourselves.
Casting on the Delger Muron River. Photo: Nathan Ward
We chose Fish Mongolia for two reasons. First, my wife Andrea and I wanted a river where we could fish for the best Mongolian species – Lenok, Grayling and Taimen. And we needed a river good for all ability levels since Andrea had never fly fished before. Second, we wanted to support a company that is working intelligently to help preserve the wilderness and culture of Mongolia. Given these criteria, we talked with several fishing companies and we chose to go with Fish Mongolia. It proved a good choice.
During our days on the river, we had a great time – the guides, Dan and Cody, were passionate and knowledgeable fishermen. The food was good, the camp used traditional nomad tents and the setting was incredible. Best of all, we enjoyed great fishing and caught a lot of fish.
While I cast a big fly over and over for Taimen, Cody taught Andrea the basics of fly fishing on a 5 weight and she was soon pulling Grayling and Lenok out of the river at will. It was a great way to introduce her to fly fishing, with almost guaranteed success.
Nathan and Cody with a young taimen
Meanwhile, Cody showed me the ropes of fishing for the big Taimen and the first day I landed a 33 inch fish. We alternated between fishing the pools and rapids over the next few days and I caught several Taimen of various sizes and hooked one huge one that of course, got away. I’m sure it was the biggest fish of the week. Really!
We only had time for a couple of days at the camp, but the other people in our group experienced similar success and everyone who fished for Taimen landed one. One angler landed three in one afternoon!
Andrea Schulz shows off a Delger Muron Lenok. Photo: Nathan Ward
I highly recommend Fish Mongolia and would do the trip again in a heartbeat if I could. The Delger-Muron is a great river for all three species and it’s a good place for couples to fish together, or father and sons/daughters to fish together. It would also be a good place for groups of mixed interests because the terrain in the valley is perfect for hiking, photography, painting or just relaxing.
If you want to ask more about our trip, please do not hesitate to contact me by email.
Nathan Ward
ntw@nathanward.com
More on Nathan’s blog at Ice Mountain Adventure Travel: How to Teach Nomads Catch and Release Fishing
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[...] Lenok, Grayling and Taimen in Mongolia Trip Report by Nathan Ward on FishMongolia.com From the airport in Muren, we bumped our way over the grassy Mongolian Steppe past nomad tents and herds. At first I thought “No way is there a big river hidden out here!” But we snuck on a trackless route over a few hills and down a steep valley into a hidden canyon where a beautiful river stretched out before us. [...]