Taimen flies

Over the years I've developed my own taimen flies for fly-fishing in Mongolia, and I've collected and adapted fly patterns from friends and fellow taimen guides. I now have a range of flies to use in different situations; buoyant and aggressive top water patterns, prey fish imitations, smaller flies to use on lighter weight rods or for less accomplished fly-casters, huge flies to tempt big ol' lazy monsters. Flies to match the hatch, and flies to match the angler.

I've seen a couple of taimen fly patterns published in magazines, including one I introduced to Mongolia, but you won't find these commercially available, nor are the recipes published on the web. So should I publish some of these 'taimen guide fly' patterns on this blog?

Photo: Maickel and Arthur tying up a storm in the ger.

Some arguments against...

• Our competitors, and irresponsible, un-licenced anglers and outfitters will learn our secrets, and use them for evil deeds.
• Independent anglers will bypass the guide services because they know what flies to use.
• I'll get severe ear-ache from my fellow guides and outfitters if I publish the 'secret' taimen guide flies.

Photo: Dan's bugger barn.

Some arguments for....

• Knowing what flies we use and how to tie them will generate more interest in anglers to visit Mongolia, and can dispel myths that you can only catch taimen on huge un-castable prairie dog flies. More anglers booking with responsible outfitters means more re-investment in conservation.
• Publishing Taimen flies and fly-patterns can help to promote the sport of fly-fishing in Mongolia for Mongolians. I believe that if we promote and develop the sport here among Mongolians, and teach the catch & release and conservation message at the same time, we will be able to improve conservation and sustainability of taimen fisheries in the long term (we have a Mongolian fly-fishing club in the pipeline too).
• Just knowing what flies to bring doesn't mean you know how to fish them, outfitters and guide services are still needed to get licences, access the fisheries and have the best opportunities for a successful trip. Those irresponsible outfitters who don't get licences and who copy all our website material still won't know how to tie flies or what to do with them anyway.
• Whosoever invented, introduced or developed the fly for taimen fishing gets the credibility and kudos for doing so, and enhances his/her reputation as a taimen guide and most excellent fly-fisher.

Photo: Jack's hat. Some clues here?

Its widely known that surface mouse patterns are popular. Knowing that taimen will eat anything from hoppers, to squirrels, to fry, minnows, grayling, lenok trout, and even smaller taimen, they might be tempted to take a large range of flies, so what makes a good pattern?

I tie up all my own taimen flies for our guests, so one of my requirements for a good taimen fly is that I must be able to tie up 6 to 8 in an hour, so for me that generally means no spun deer hair, which I think gets too soggy anyway. Of course the fly has to catch fish; cast-ability is also important, and as I live in Mongolia year round choice of materials is also crucial as I have limited supplies.

What do you think? Publish and be damned or horde our river secrets? Leave a comment to let me know, and I might just treat you to a few choice taimen fly patterns.