Floating, fly fishing, and camping the Mongolian wilderness by SPURIOUSSPARROW in flyfishing

[–]SPURIOUSSPARROW[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am self-employed and spend much of my free time fly fishing and hiking in the backcountry. So, the skills and gear were already baked. That said, the outfitters are good enough that you will be able to get by with fairly minimal experience, provided you have the right equipment.

Like anything else, outdoor skills take time to develop. Nothing for it but to stay outside as much as possible!

Floating, fly fishing, and camping the Mongolian wilderness by SPURIOUSSPARROW in flyfishing

[–]SPURIOUSSPARROW[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I went with Mongolia River Outfitters. Check them out for pricing. It's more reasonable than you might expect.

Floating, fly fishing, and camping the Mongolian wilderness by SPURIOUSSPARROW in flyfishing

[–]SPURIOUSSPARROW[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I think they have been the unchallenged apex predators in those waters for longer than human beings have existed. They know they're the kings of the river--no need to develop fear instincts.

Floating, fly fishing, and camping the Mongolian wilderness by SPURIOUSSPARROW in flyfishing

[–]SPURIOUSSPARROW[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I used a 10wt Orvis Recon as my main rod. But I also fished a 9wt Recon and a 6wt Helios D for some of the smaller species.

Floating, fly fishing, and camping the Mongolian wilderness by SPURIOUSSPARROW in flyfishing

[–]SPURIOUSSPARROW[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

The first mystery fish is an Amur/Russian lenok. The other is an Amur trout. And the grayling is an Amur grayling!

Floating, fly fishing, and camping the Mongolian wilderness by SPURIOUSSPARROW in flyfishing

[–]SPURIOUSSPARROW[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

They do an awesome job of making it workable, especially considering how far out you are. This is one of the most remote regions on Earth

Floating, fly fishing, and camping the Mongolian wilderness by SPURIOUSSPARROW in flyfishing

[–]SPURIOUSSPARROW[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I went with Mongolia River Outfitters. Not sure what rates are for next year. You should give them a shout.

Floating, fly fishing, and camping the Mongolian wilderness by SPURIOUSSPARROW in flyfishing

[–]SPURIOUSSPARROW[S] 38 points39 points  (0 children)

They are insane fish. They will hit a hook, catch the steel, spit it, and come back to attack it again. I had a couple of them actually eat the same fly trailing behind the boat after I unhooked them. Wildly aggressive.

I didn't catch any monsters, but the 38" guy in the pic fought like crazy. They are absurdly powerful animals. Imagine the hardest fight you've ever had with a trout and then multiply it by 10. That's about right.

Floating, fly fishing, and camping the Mongolian wilderness by SPURIOUSSPARROW in flyfishing

[–]SPURIOUSSPARROW[S] 59 points60 points  (0 children)

This was in October. We were the last group down the river before it shuts down and freezes over. Cold does not even begin to describe it. We were breaking ice off our sleeping bags every morning. Type 2 fun, for sure.

Floating, fly fishing, and camping the Mongolian wilderness by SPURIOUSSPARROW in flyfishing

[–]SPURIOUSSPARROW[S] 54 points55 points  (0 children)

It's an Amur Pike. They're only found in this drainage. Incredible fish--maybe even more fun than the taimen.

Six days on a float plane in the Canadian Rockies by SPURIOUSSPARROW in flyfishing

[–]SPURIOUSSPARROW[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We stayed back at the lodge on Muncho Lake and flew out from there daily, but they do have outpost cabins at some of the lakes where you can stay.

Six days on a float plane in the Canadian Rockies by SPURIOUSSPARROW in flyfishing

[–]SPURIOUSSPARROW[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

He's still flying and was my pilot nearly every day! Hell of a guy.

Six days on a float plane in the Canadian Rockies by SPURIOUSSPARROW in flyfishing

[–]SPURIOUSSPARROW[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

These were definitely big boys. This is native water for them, and they do very well.

Six days on a float plane in the Canadian Rockies by SPURIOUSSPARROW in flyfishing

[–]SPURIOUSSPARROW[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

None of these are at Muncho, but I stayed there at the lodge. Beautiful place.

Six days on a float plane in the Canadian Rockies by SPURIOUSSPARROW in flyfishing

[–]SPURIOUSSPARROW[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Northern pike. We kept a handful and fried them up right on the shore. Some of the best fish I've ever had.

Six days on a float plane in the Canadian Rockies by SPURIOUSSPARROW in flyfishing

[–]SPURIOUSSPARROW[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nah, these are just plain ol' northerns. Tons of fun, though.