Fishing in the Mountain Rivers of Kyrgyzstan

Fishing in the Rivers of Kyrgyzstan

In Kyrgyzstan, there are still many untouched places by civilization. For example, fish can still be found in the rivers.

Of course, not many people would specifically travel to fish. It’s quite far! But if you are an avid fisherman and have a few free days in this republic, do not deny yourself the pleasure of "casting" a spinning rod or sitting and watching a float. The result will be such that it brings moral satisfaction. I will try to describe the most accessible places in order of their distance from Bishkek. Who knows, maybe someone will decide to visit them all at once!

Chon-Kemin
Let’s start with the Chon-Kemin River. It is the main tributary of the Chu River, originating in the Inner Tien Shan, flowing through the Boom Gorge into the Chui Valley, and disappearing in the sands of Kazakhstan. Chon-Kemin begins in the glaciers of the Kungey Alatau and Zaalai Alatau ranges, flowing for more than a hundred kilometers between these ranges to the west, and merges with the Chu before entering the Chui Valley.

The river is predominantly inhabited by Amudarya trout (Salmo trutta oxianus Kessler). Occasionally, a hybrid of Amudarya and Issyk-Kul trout (Salmo issyko-gegarkuni Lushin) is caught, which entered Chon-Kemin from the Orto-Tokoy Reservoir via the Chu River. The maximum weight of trout can reach 5 kg. Also, rather large specimens (up to 1 kg) of Issyk-Kul (Diptychus dybowskii Kessler) and Chui naked osman (Diptychus dybowskii bergianus Turdakov) can be found, which were abundant in the river before the trout were introduced here in the 1980s.

The fish primarily feed on aquatic insects and their larvae. In the spring-summer period, their diet also includes earthworms and flying insects: flies, butterflies, grasshoppers, and beetles. Trout, besides insects, actively hunt small fish, so they take well to lures or bait.

Catching trout here with a lure requires a certain skill from the fisherman, as the riverbed is abundant with stones, and thorny bushes and trees grow along the banks. A simpler and more reliable method is fishing with a bottom or float rod, which allows for fairly accurate casting, covering quiet spots behind stones and in shallow water on the opposite bank. In open areas, fly fishing is possible. The most preferred bait is the larva of the stonefly in its aquatic phase. In spring, these larvae can be easily found in the coastal zone at shallow depths or under protruding stones.

A characteristic feature of fishing in Chon-Kemin during the summer is the dependence on daily water fluctuations. During this time, the best bites occur in the morning hours when the water level is relatively low. After noon, when the water begins to rise sharply and becomes murky, the bites diminish. In spring and autumn, water level fluctuations are minimal, and transparency is high. Fish bite better in the morning and evening. During the day, bites are most likely in dark, deep spots and under large stones. There have been cases of good bites in shallow pools in the late afternoon when the lighting in the gorge decreases somewhat.

Naryn
This location is in the vicinity of the city of Naryn. It is the highest fishing spot among the described locations, with an average elevation of about 2500 meters above sea level. Here, you can catch rainbow trout in the tributaries of the Naryn River; it is here that the largest Amudarya trout weighing 7 kg was caught.

Krasnaya Rechka
This corner of nature is located 60 km from the city of Bishkek. Krasnaya Rechka originates from numerous clear springs under the city of Tokmak and flows, intricately winding, among thickets of reeds and shrubs, across the territory of the Korgol hunting farm, creating magnificent fishing spots.

The river is predominantly inhabited by rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri Rich), mostly small individuals measuring 20-25 cm, although larger ones weighing 1-2 kg can also be caught. Rainbow trout grow faster than brook trout—in natural conditions, they can reach lengths of 40-42 cm and weights of up to 1 kg in three years. This rapid growth is explained by the fact that the diet of rainbow trout is much broader than that of brook trout; additionally, their feeding activity in winter and pre-spawning periods decreases significantly less. Rainbow trout are sensitive to increased water temperatures, even up to 28-30 degrees, which is why they are often found in drainage ditches that flow into Krasnaya Rechka.

Young fish feed on stonefly and mayfly larvae, as well as dipterans; adult individuals are generally predators. Unlike brook trout, rainbow trout do not avoid a schooling lifestyle. In autumn, it was observed that 5-7 fairly large individuals gathered in a school, hunting flying insects. The river often holds fish in open areas (rapids), seemingly filling those spots that brook trout avoid.

A characteristic feature of rainbow trout behavior during the catch, unlike other species, is that they leap high out of the water, shaking their heads like pike, trying to shake off the hook. Even a small rainbow trout on the hook brings great pleasure to the fisherman. In Krasnaya Rechka, they are caught in various ways, both with bottom and float rods. The most effective methods are lure fishing and fly fishing, given the fisherman’s skill.

Another spot - Western Karakol or Susamyr
The Susamyr River is about 80 km long. It begins at the watershed of the Ala-Bel Pass (3184 m), flows through the valley of the same name, and merges with the Western Karakol River to form the Kekemeren River.

The river is predominantly inhabited by the Scaly osman (Diptychus maculatus Berg), which is a typical inhabitant of high-altitude sections of all rivers in the Tien Shan. The Scaly osman is rarely found below 1500 m above sea level. Its diet mainly consists of filamentous algae and larvae of aquatic and aerial insects. The maximum size is 50 cm, and the weight can reach up to 3 kg. Fishing for this fish is conducted in the valley section of the river at elevations from 2000 to 2700 m, and in some cases slightly lower, at the rapids and pools of Kekemeren. Usually, these are deeper spots with relatively calm currents at river bends and behind stones. Large specimens of the Scaly osman are often caught in the rapids.

Spring fishing for the Scaly osman is linked to the life cycle of aquatic insect larvae, primarily stoneflies, which during this time are the main food source and are ideal for bait. By examining the riverbed and water flow, as well as the presence and quantity of insects in the coastal stones, one can determine the most likely spots for fish aggregation. The bites of the osman in spring on stonefly larvae are particularly active. This allows even inexperienced, novice fishermen to experience thrilling moments, easily catching perhaps their first fish in life. And a fisherman used to fishing in still waters can feel new emotions from reeling in an osman from a mountain stream.

Kekemeren
Approximately a 2-hour journey from the Susamyr River is the Kekemeren River. The Kekemeren River is formed by the confluence of the Susamyr and Western Karakol rivers, flowing 200 km through the gorges of the Inner Tien Shan and merging into the Naryn River.

The most preferred time for fishing in Kekemeren is the spring months during the rise in water levels, during which there is an intensive development of aquatic insect larvae. The stonefly larva, at the end of its aquatic phase, is the main food object for all fish species inhabiting the river and the best bait at this time. Trout actively bite on spinning lures and bait. In autumn, trout also take well to bait and lures, while marinka bites on grasshoppers.

Typically, trout in the river tend to be solitary, but in some cases, usually in the evening, they gather in pools and backwaters, which is noticeable by splashes on the water's surface. Gathering in backwaters in the evening is also characteristic of marinka. There have been cases of gatherings in backwaters of only marinka or only trout. The amount of fish in a backwater or pool is determined by their sizes and the location of these spots in relation to the main channel. The position of the backwater on the inner or outer part of the river bend plays a role. With significant water transparency, in early spring and autumn months, the most active bites are noted in the morning and evening hours when it is not too bright. For the fisherman, in this case, it is very important to have good control over the tackle, which will allow them to catch the maximum number of fish in a short time during sunrise or sunset. During the spring-summer flood period, when the water in the river is not completely clear or murky, bites usually do not stop all day.

So if you have the time and desire, visit these corners of almost untouched nature. Enjoy yourself immensely!

Fishing