Mongolia, Where Giants Still Reign There is something incredibly special about Mongolian Taimen and the rivers where they live. Every Tai...
Mongolia, Where Giants Still Reign
There is something incredibly special about Mongolian Taimen and the rivers where they live. Every Taimen you have the good fortune to hook, whether you land it or not, will create an indelible impression which time won’t erase. As will the surrounding Mongolian countryside. The magnificent Mongolian landscape where you will find these river dragons is filled with deep green conifer forests, idyllic world-class river stretches and rugged mountainous heights, much like some of the most remote areas of the Rocky Mountains. Except this country is roughly 6,380 miles from New York City and just about the same from the left coast of the States. If you can get there, this is where ancient giant Salmonids still live and thrive.
Hucho Taimen, aka, Siberian Taimen, is a species of fish that belongs to the salmon family. These fish are found in rivers in Russia and adjacent regions, such as Mongolia. They are the ultimate mega-trout and hold the distinction of being the largest member of the Salmonid family. Hucho Taiman can live for nearly fifty years and can reach sixty inches in length. Most of these fish that are caught on the fly generally measure between 30-40 inches. Anything over 40-inches is considered trophy class. Every season, a handful of lucky anglers catch and release several of these giants that measure over 50-inches in length.
This not an anadromous fish that migrates to the ocean or even lakes for that matter. These behemoths spend their entire cycle of life in relatively small rivers, though they will travel great distances to access spawning, feeding, and winter habitats. An adult Taimen may use 60 miles of river each year, making conservation of vast stretches of water vitally important to these fish.
The World’s Most Incredible Dry Fly Experience
While they no doubt have a beasty reputation, Taimen are beautiful fish and look a bit like our native Bull trout in the U.S. But, don’t let that pretty face fool you; Mongolian Taimen are lethal predators. Their main diet is small fish, so, casting a well-presented streamer will usually bring on an aggressive slamming strike. Stripping huge streamers to these freshwater orcas is a heady experience, but the amazing thing is that Taimen also feed on the surface.
Often, they like their “protein” served on top. In this situation they will nail beavers, ducklings, gophers, and mice. Tying or purchasing big 6/0 hook dry flies mimicking a few of these ready-to-eat-meals would be highly advisable. Taimen aggressively - and I do mean aggressively - destroy surface flies.
Taimen will absolutely explode on a fly, sometimes coming completely out of the water on the take. On witnessing this impressive smash and grab many anglers hit them too soon and miss the hook up. The trick is to keep stripping until you feel the weight of the fish, then set the hook. If you miss the first strike, slam the fly right back on the water. That big, angry and very frustrated Taimen will frequently come right back around and absolutely hammer your fly on the second, third or even fourth try. By now your totally pissed off Taimen will often go airborne. Like a big tarpon, they will tail walk along the river’s surface. In skinny water, they will rocket across the river headed for greater depths. The four-foot long predator on the end of your line will charge around the pool, drive deep and shake its head violently like a very, very big brown trout.
I Should Have Brought a Bigger Rod
The typical rods you will load into your travel case for such a fish will be a fast 11wt and or a 12w. They will feel exceptionally stiff until you stick one of those large Taimen and then watch in amazement as your 12wt rod doubles over while you are holding on as your life depends on it. This type of BIG game fishing is not for everyone, but if you do ever find yourself in Mongolia in the land of giants, you may never be the same again.
Art Hau
-Make Dry Fly Fishing Great Again!
There is something incredibly special about Mongolian Taimen and the rivers where they live. Every Taimen you have the good fortune to hook, whether you land it or not, will create an indelible impression which time won’t erase. As will the surrounding Mongolian countryside. The magnificent Mongolian landscape where you will find these river dragons is filled with deep green conifer forests, idyllic world-class river stretches and rugged mountainous heights, much like some of the most remote areas of the Rocky Mountains. Except this country is roughly 6,380 miles from New York City and just about the same from the left coast of the States. If you can get there, this is where ancient giant Salmonids still live and thrive.
Hucho Taimen, aka, Siberian Taimen, is a species of fish that belongs to the salmon family. These fish are found in rivers in Russia and adjacent regions, such as Mongolia. They are the ultimate mega-trout and hold the distinction of being the largest member of the Salmonid family. Hucho Taiman can live for nearly fifty years and can reach sixty inches in length. Most of these fish that are caught on the fly generally measure between 30-40 inches. Anything over 40-inches is considered trophy class. Every season, a handful of lucky anglers catch and release several of these giants that measure over 50-inches in length.This not an anadromous fish that migrates to the ocean or even lakes for that matter. These behemoths spend their entire cycle of life in relatively small rivers, though they will travel great distances to access spawning, feeding, and winter habitats. An adult Taimen may use 60 miles of river each year, making conservation of vast stretches of water vitally important to these fish.
The World’s Most Incredible Dry Fly Experience
While they no doubt have a beasty reputation, Taimen are beautiful fish and look a bit like our native Bull trout in the U.S. But, don’t let that pretty face fool you; Mongolian Taimen are lethal predators. Their main diet is small fish, so, casting a well-presented streamer will usually bring on an aggressive slamming strike. Stripping huge streamers to these freshwater orcas is a heady experience, but the amazing thing is that Taimen also feed on the surface.
Often, they like their “protein” served on top. In this situation they will nail beavers, ducklings, gophers, and mice. Tying or purchasing big 6/0 hook dry flies mimicking a few of these ready-to-eat-meals would be highly advisable. Taimen aggressively - and I do mean aggressively - destroy surface flies.
Taimen will absolutely explode on a fly, sometimes coming completely out of the water on the take. On witnessing this impressive smash and grab many anglers hit them too soon and miss the hook up. The trick is to keep stripping until you feel the weight of the fish, then set the hook. If you miss the first strike, slam the fly right back on the water. That big, angry and very frustrated Taimen will frequently come right back around and absolutely hammer your fly on the second, third or even fourth try. By now your totally pissed off Taimen will often go airborne. Like a big tarpon, they will tail walk along the river’s surface. In skinny water, they will rocket across the river headed for greater depths. The four-foot long predator on the end of your line will charge around the pool, drive deep and shake its head violently like a very, very big brown trout.I Should Have Brought a Bigger Rod
The typical rods you will load into your travel case for such a fish will be a fast 11wt and or a 12w. They will feel exceptionally stiff until you stick one of those large Taimen and then watch in amazement as your 12wt rod doubles over while you are holding on as your life depends on it. This type of BIG game fishing is not for everyone, but if you do ever find yourself in Mongolia in the land of giants, you may never be the same again.
-Make Dry Fly Fishing Great Again!
