Three graylings of Mongolia and where to catch them

If taimen are the trophy and lenok the fighter, grayling are the fish that keep every day fun. Mongolia is home to several species, each tied to its own region.

Arctic grayling

Found across the northern river systems — the Selenge, Orkhon, Tuul and their tributaries. They gather in riffles and rise freely to small dry flies.

Mongolian grayling

A larger species native to the lakes and rivers of the western basins. It can exceed 50 cm and is one of the lesser-known prizes of western Mongolia.

Khuvsgul grayling

Found only in the Lake Khuvsgul basin. Darker and smaller than its cousins, it cruises the rocky shoreline in huge numbers in early summer.

Tackle

• 3–5 weight fly rod or an ultralight spinning rod
• Size 14–18 dry flies: caddis, ants, small parachutes
• Tiny spinners for lake shores

Cover photo: AKSmith, CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons