Upper Onon River Wilderness Float

Printable pdf file.
Click to download

This Fish Trail journey will bring you near to the watershed of Asia and the most pristine fishery on the continent. For six days we will float and fish downstream the Onon River. We will airlift by helicopter into the remote upper stretches of the river. We will be fully equipped for a self-contained raft float expedition, with tents, a professional cook and with all necessary provisions etc. The region we fish is unpopulated. It is a taiga wilderness defined by forested mountains, open meadows, and clear running streams. Brown bears, moose, wolfs, red deer and other fauna abound, though hard to see. It has pristine aquatic habitats devoid of any introduced species. Hundreds and hundreds of miles of rivers…none of which has ever been seriously fished.

Brief Outline Itinerary

The support structure for our fishing expedition will be three to four catamaran type rafts, on which our entire luggage’s can be loaded.You will be given a paddle and a life jacket, and the current will assist carrying us downriver. All provisions, tents etc. will be brought along from Ulaanbaatar in the helicopter. Staff will be an English speaking Mongolian, plus a cook and assistant.

DAY 1 Sat:Ulaanbaatar

Arrive in Ulaanbaatar from Beijing or Moscow by air. Transfer. Meet with the fishing expedition staff and briefing of the journey. Overnight in a hotel.

DAY 2 Sun: To Onon River

Depart by helicopter for a couple of hour’s flight across the Khan Khentii Wilderness. On arrival at the Upper Onon River all equipment including the rafts need to be offloaded. We will pitch camp and get organized. We will be able to fish the same afternoon.Overnights in tents.

DAY 3-8 Onon River

Six full days of exploring this beautiful and fascinating river, with the full support of staffs, rafts and camping equipment.

The Onon River is a major watershed for Asia.The river begins on the eastern slope of the Hentii Mountains just south of Russian Siberia and within the immense Khan Khentii Strictly Protected Area (National Park), which is totally devoid of people.The river eventually joins the Herlen and Amur Rivers before entering the Pacific Ocean at the Sea of Okhotsk.

We will move downriver every day, pitching a new camp each night.A cook will prepare our meals, and perhaps, just a picnic lunch will be prepared for midday.We expect to make use of morning and late afternoon fishing, and moving during midday, provided this method is suitable for fishing.

Angling is for wild fish in an inspiring alpine landscape.We fish in a variety of locations from tight spring creeks to the large main river. Eventually we will meet our support vehicles near Batshireet village, situated on the Eg River, a tributary of the Onon.

Further down the river we will reach the first inhabited areas.The majority of the locals are "Buryats", a Mongolian ethnic minority, whose ancestors migrated over the border from Siberia early 1900s. Most families herd livestock.The primary form of transportation is still a horse.

Eventually we will meet our support vehicles near Batshireet village, situated on the Eg River, a tributary of the Onon.

Day 9-10 To Ulaanbaatar

Two days of return drive to Ulaanbaatar, camping on the way. We will now travel overland, across the treeless steppes, making contact also with Mongolian nomads. You will reach your hotel in Ulaanbaatar in the early afternoon.

* The first trip, UOF01, will most likely return to Ulaanbaatar by helicopter, thus allowing for one more day of fishing.

DAY 11 Tue: Departure

In time for your flight, transfer to the airport and fly out to your next destination.

Practicalities

Period:This Fishing Expedition is best 10Sep - 25Oct when the Mongolian dry season have started and rivers are likely to be clear and the fishes feed in preparation for the winter period.Fishing is still good and possible during July and August, while there is a risk of rains, which will make the angling more challenging. In 2003 we will introduce a fishing period of 15May-15Jun.

Climate: Please note that you need be prepared for winter conditions due to the variations in temperature during the September period.In the daytime, sunny and warm weather is likely, however during the early morning hours you are equally likely having subzero temperatures!Even the daytime can bring winter conditions. You need to bring your own four-season sleeping bag with you. 

Meals: our expert cook will prepare the meals. We pride ourselves in having cooks adapt with both western and Mongolian cooking on our trips. Fresh food will be cooked every day.Vegetables are available.

PRICE: ex Ulaanbaatar

USD 3350 per person (3-4 members)

DATE: 2003

UOF01: 15-25Sep*
UOF02: 23Sep-03Oct

Includes: Leadership, all meals, overnights in hotel in shared double room and tents, camping equipment and all local transport.

Excludes:Imported drinks, airport tax on departure (approx. USD 12.50 p.p. in September 2002), laundry. Air or train tickets in and out of Mongolia. Visa fee. 

Supplements:Single room supplement USD 40.Private tent supplement USD 140. Nomadic Journeys may accommodate up to four fishermen on your trip.

Exclusive Fishing: We have an exclusive agreement for the entire upper watershed of the Onon River and its tributaries, which is part of the buffer zone of the Khan Khentii Strictly Protected Area. The strictly protected area being entirely off limits will function as a pristine nursery to the entire system. It is a huge area some 100 by 70 km large.

As part of our exclusive agreement, a portion of the revenue generated from fishing activity directly supports a community conservation fund, which promotes development and conservation within the immediate region.

The Fishery: The Onon and its tributaries sustain exceptionally healthy stocks of four salmonides: Lenok (Brachymystax lenok), Onon Trout (Brachymystax), Amur Grayling (Thymallus arcticus grubei), and Taimen (Hucho hucho taimen).There is also Amur Pike (Esox reichertii) and Perch.

The Taimen is the world's largest Salmonidae and the Onon is one of the last places where healthy populations of this prized (and elusive) fish still exist.The Onon's Taimen reach over one meter in length (max 2 meters).

Lenok have all of the characteristics of a trout, growing to a maximum 110 cm. This is an exciting and plentiful sport fish.

The Onon Trout is a relative to the Lenok, and is endemic to the Onon River and its tributaries. A fine sportfish and when landed its appearance looks like a hybrid of Taimen and Lenok. Landed Onon Trout is usually larger than Lenok.

The Amur Grayling found in the Onon river system is one of four Mongolian subspecies. The fish grows to a maximum of 40-50 cm.

The Amur Pike have a quite more restricted distribution as compared to the Northern Pike, and occur only in the Amur River drainage basin.

Fishing Policy: The opportunity for us to fish the pristine Onon is a privilege.We emphasize the precious quality of this spectacular resource and insist that the actions of our guests and staff reflect this ethic. Our goal is to make certain that healthy populations of fish such as the Taimen do not undergo the fate of their cousin, the Danube Salmon.

All fishing is done with fly rod or light-tackle using artificial bait.All Taimen fishing is catch and release only using braless hooks. There are no dams in the Onon watershed. As a result, the river and tributaries are susceptible to water flow fluctuations which impact fishing.

Tackle: For taimen, we suggest at least an 8-weight rod with both floating and sinking lines.Grayling and Lenok are most fun using a 4 or 5 weight rod. 

Copyright ^© Nomadic Journeys