Mongolia and Beyond.... check out the trip recap.

15 October 2026

MONGOLIA Trip Recap, More Than A Fishing Trip

Eight of us recently returned from Mongolia where we had one goal in mind: Taimen and Lenok. What we found was so much more.

Our camp was tucked away just 35 miles from the Russian border, deep in a landscape that feels a world away from our everyday life. The remoteness was part of the adventure—and it also gave us a glimpse into the realities of life in this part of the world. The war was felt even here, particularly in the scarcity and cost of fuel. Each morning, watching our hosts carefully measure precious fuel into the small tanks of our boats was a humbling reminder of just how fortunate we are.

Yet, despite those challenges, our Mongolian hosts greeted us with incredible warmth, energy, and generosity. They worked tirelessly to give us an experience that went far beyond fishing. They wanted us to see their country, understand their traditions, taste their food, hear their stories, and experience their way of life.

And then there were the fish. Taimen are everything we had hoped they would be—powerful, unpredictable, smart, and wildly aggressive. They don't simply eat a fly; they attack it. A mouse or minnow can disappear from the surface in an explosion before you even realize a fish was there. Sneaking a peak into your guides fly box was a little bit like Christmas morning as a kid; big mice and big glittery streamers for agressive fish. Many with mulitple articulations; so cool to see them swim across the water. Most of our group landed Taimen in the 25–35" range, with our largest measuring 47". And then there was the fish that still occupies a lot of conversations—a Taimen pushing close to 60". Only two of us had shots at him throughout the week but our team didn't get that eat. Only the unforgettable memory of seeing that fish.....

Honestly, the fish were only part of what made this journey so extraordinary.It was the people.Touring in Ulaanbaatar prior to camp: the museums, learning the histroy, seeing a musical performance, visting the Gobi stores and their downtown markets. I can't say enough about the kindness of the Mongolians we encountered from our time exploring Ulaanbaatar to our incredible camp hosts and guides, we continually met people who were genuinely excited to share their country with us. It all shaped the picture of this amazing people sandwiched between Russia and China.

In camp, two Americans and an group of Mongolians spent the week teaching us about Taimen and Lenok, but also about their food, clothing, customs, religion, hunting, mining, and the dramatic changes their country has experienced over the past 50 years. Around the dinner table, in the boats, and during long conversations, we were given something far more valuable than a fishing trip—we were given a glimpse into their lives. That is what makes flyfishing travel so special.

We leave home looking for adventure, for wild places and bucket-list fish. But somewhere along the way, the people we meet become the part of the journey we remember most. Mongolia gave us wild rivers, enormous fish, long days of flyfishing, incredible landscapes, and more than a few missed opportunities. But it also gave us laughter, an understanding of another culture, new friendships, perspective, and memories that will stay with us for a very long time.

Thank you to everyone who made this trip possible and shared a piece of Mongolia with us. It truly was a trip of a lifetime.As we think back on the experience, we are reminded once again to slow down, step outside, and look for the rainbows in life. Sometimes the greatest treasures aren't the ones we're chasing. Sometimes, they're the people we meet along the way. Mongolia showed us a pretty incredible pot of gold.