| Did you know that Taimen (scientific name Hucho | | | | The best month for fishing is September though |
| taimen) are the world's largest Salmonid. That's | | | | the recognized season extends from mid-June |
| the group that contains all species of salmon and | | | | until early October. The fish spawn in May so |
| trout. Taimen have been known to reach in | | | | should be left well alone at that time, and the |
| excess of 2 metres (yes, that's over 6 feet), | | | | weather is just too cold once the summer sun |
| weighing in at nearly 100 kilograms (an amazing | | | | fades away. |
| 200 pounds). | | | | The Mongolian Government have listened to |
| Taimen inhabit the rivers of Siberia that exit into | | | | visiting anglers and conservationists and taken the |
| the Arctic Ocean and right around east to the | | | | wise step of introducing regulations to protect fish |
| Amur River. Mongolia's rivers flow into this system | | | | stocks - especially Taimen. These are now Catch |
| and, given that the Mongolians have traditionally | | | | & Release only, a move that most anglers |
| shunned fish as a food source, some of the best | | | | will support anyway. |
| fishing is now to be had here. | | | | In order to ensure that released fish have the |
| Unlike many Salmonids, Taimen do not migrate to | | | | best chance of survival it is best to bring suitable |
| the sea but live their entire lives in rivers and | | | | tackle and equipment. The preferred option is to |
| lakes. They prefer fast flowing stretches with | | | | fish only with fly patterns, as these result in a |
| deep pools where they can shelter from the | | | | proper hook placement most frequently, tied onto |
| extremes of heat. This means they are most | | | | a single barbless hook. Special Catch & |
| often found in remote mountainous areas, and | | | | Release Nets are available and can minimize the |
| fishing for them becomes a true wilderness | | | | damage to the fish's protective layer of slime |
| experience. | | | | during the unhooking process. Of course, any tool |
| Young Taimen survive largely upon insects, both | | | | that aids the swift removal of the hook is also |
| the larval and adult stages. Older fish cannot | | | | welcome. |
| remain on this diet and take pretty much anything | | | | Don't forget that you will also need proper |
| they can catch. They will eat birds and rodents | | | | equipment. The areas where you will go fishing |
| from the surface and even from the shore as | | | | are remote and wild places. You will have to take |
| well as any other smaller fish that they can catch | | | | along good quality clothing to cover long days out |
| in the river. | | | | in the sun as well as the potential for a sudden |
| The options for anglers are fantastic. There are | | | | change to cold and wet. When the winds shift to |
| many sections of river that have never been | | | | the north there can be snow however the day |
| fished and many other game species available | | | | started out. |
| anyway. The same rivers that are productive for | | | | Whether you want to catch a big fish or just love |
| Taimen are usually also teeming with Arctic | | | | wild places, consider a fishing holiday to Mongolia. It |
| Grayling and Lenok. All three species will take fly | | | | has so much to offer the adventurous angler and |
| patterns on the surface - the bigger fish being | | | | doesn't cost the earth. |
| taken on mouse patterns fished at dusk. | | | | |