Onon River Float Trip

THE FISHING

This is a six-day river float trip on the Onon River, where anglers will fly fish for the Siberian Taimen for the majority of the trip. Other species available on a fairly consistent basis include Lenoks, Amur Pike and Amur Trout and while these other species are available, this is a float trip primarily focused on targeting the incredible Siberian Taimen, which can grow up to six feet and weigh close to 80 pounds. When fishing for Taimen, anglers will be throwing large streamers into areas that are likely to hold fish. Anglers will float a new stretch of water each day during the trip, with close to 100 kilometers covered on the Onon, by the end of the trip. Most of the fishing will be done from the raft, each of which has bucket seats located at the front and back of the raft. However, there are several tributaries that flow into the main river, where anglers can get out and wade and even sight cast to fish.    

The float takes place on a section of the Onon River, that offers a wide variety of sceneries, from lushly forested mountains to wide open and seemingly endless grasslands that go on for as far as the eye can see. The average float day is about eight in length and at the end of each day, guests will arrive and their new campsite on the river, where the new camp is set up and ready for guests. One of the unique aspects to this float is that guests will just pack what they need for the day. The rest of your clothing, personal affects and gear is sent ahead each day by truck, where it will be waiting downriver in your tent at the new campsite.

The Onon River is truly a special body of water that has so many unique and positive attributes going for it. The upper section of the Onon, which anglers will float for their trip, originates in the spectacular Khentii Mountains, where it runs for 300 kilometers before crossing into the territory of the Russian Federation. There are over 400 rivers and streams that flow into the Onon, incuding the Ulz, Kherlan and Khalkh rivers. Remote and isolated, the Amur River Basin is well off the beaten path and this region offers anglers a glimpse in to a culture and environment that has scarcely changed in the past 200 years.   

Rafts and Vehicle

The rafts are comfortable inflatables with sturdy aluminum frames. They are designed with two buckets seats (front and back) with the guide positioned in the middle. These rafts are identical to those used by many of the lodge in Argentina in their fishing programs. Land Cruisers are used to transfer guests to and from the Onon River, from the capital of Ulaanbaatar.

GETTING THERE

Anglers will arrive and depart from Mongolia’s capital city of Ulaanbaatar. Upon arrival guests will be met at the airport and then escorted to the Bayangol Hotel, where you will spend the first and last nights of the trip.  Depending on when your flight arrives, there are several cultural activities available on arrival in Ulaanbaatar, including a welcome dinner. Guests will overnight and depart the following morning for the Onon River. The drive from Ulaanbaatar to the first campsite is roughly 260 miles and offers a spectacular introduction to the vast empty grassland scenery of the Mongolian steppe. The drive takes guests into the Northeast Mongolian heartland, with a lunch break and a visit to the Stone Wall, which is a protected heritage site. Guests will generally arrive late afternoon at Batshireet and the first campsite of the trip.         

Slipstream is a full-service travel company that can handle a variety of services relating to your trip. For assistance, please contact us directly at 1 866 644-7703.

RATES FOR 2025

$5,650 USD DBL

$800 USD for a single supplement when available.

Float Onon river, the headwater of Amur River basin which is one of the oldest rivers on earth.