In Ulaanbaatar, Ulyssee, proudly wearing a hat that read serious fish, showed me his two fishing rods, exclaiming “we will eat fish every night”. In preparation for the many fish we imagined we would catch, we brought along with us all the ingredients required to make sushi.
The Eg and the Selenge rivers are known as world class fishing rivers. Home to the taimen, one of the largest fresh water fish in the world, it can grow up to 1.5 meters in length and can weigh up to 50KG.
As we started our journey on Lake Khovsgol, fish jumped all around us, but they were uninterested in our bait. We left the lake disappointed but still hopeful; the Eg continued to show promising signs for fish, we could even see them through the clear water, but our skills proved inadequate. In desperation, Eric constructed a spear out of wood, and took a stab at catching a fish.
Weeks went by, and still no fish. We resorted to buying canned fish in the towns. The Eg River came and went, still no fish. We had been told that the confluence of the Eg and Selenge rivers was a hot spot for fishing, and so we took the rod out and Elsa threw first, catching a fish which unfortunately broke free. Eric tried his luck, within no time he reeled in three fish, setting the two smallest ones back.
With our 8 inch catch of the day, we continued to proudly paddle down the river. Shortly after we met a family, and showed them our catch. They laughed and opened one of their many canvas bags to reveal 3 pike and 3 large perch. Out of kindness or possibly pity they gifted us their fish. With a little soya sauce and fried onions, together we eat them for a late morning snack.
Sarah McNair-Landry
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