Taimen Hunting

Out of the snow, but not out of the cold. The AEG crew is still at 4,000 feet and there are still ice chunks floating down the river. That certainly hasn’t stopped them from having an epic day of Taimen fishing. They each were able to pull out sizable Taimen after floating across a sweet little honey hole.

Their journey is continuing to take them down river, while the local Mongolians secure the gear. The herd of horses and camels follow along the river, back down to locations that were marked ahead of time. These marked locations are agreed upon positions that the AEG crew selected for campsites.

The camp crew sets up the site preparing for the arrival of the Taimen hunters. As dusk sets in and visibility is low, they build a large fire so the guys can see the camp from the river. Once the guys pull off the river, they are greeted by old Mongolian tunes. Many are already gathered around the fire telling stories and keeping warm with their very own version of vodka. Of course the guys join them and of course the bottle gets passed between them. Its only after they all take a man sized swig, that they find out what the homemade vodka is made of; distilled, fermented milk of a Yak. What! Yeah, that’s just what they said. But as to not offend, they continued to pass the bottle. Eventually the locals stopped passing and let the AEG crew polish off the bottle. Thad-lapse, as the guys are calling him (http://www.itinerantangler.com/podcasts/podcast30.mp3) became one with nature after that round.

Next stop is a trip to the scientific research camp. The crew says goodbye to the horses and camels that have packed their gear for the last five days. They now mount the six-wheeled beast that will wind them through many more miles of unmarked territory, carving out roads as they go. At the scientific research camp, they will interview with the scientists there and discover what is being done about the dwindling Taimen population.

In the meantime, the AEG crew will continue to fish by day and sing Mongolian tunes by night; all in an effort to catch the ever-elusive 60+ inch Taimen.

Base camp out.