Taimen fishing, Bichi River (tributary to the Lower Amur River)

Bichi is 300 km long, it is left tributary to the great Amur River. The stream is famous by its trophy Siberian taimen.

Bichi River is rather slow, and has clear colored water.

Local fishermen use old-style spinning gear with thick mono line

The river has several log-jams, some of which exist for many years

Group of fishermen is doing portage around the unpassable log-jam This 16 kg taimen I have landed with a streamer (Articilated Leach type, see below)

The fish was caught for the edge of the upper jaw bone pierced by the hook

Black Articulated Leech (String Leech) on 2/0 or 3/0 hook is one of the most efficient flies for both taimen species, Siberian & sea-run

Articulated Sculpin is taimen fly based on the design of String Leech

Articulated Grayling - another fly with weighted head and big hook on a string

Articulated Mouse - surface fly with a hook in a loop of 7x7 steel tippet material. I have landed several taimen with this fly equipped with 3/0 Octopus hook. 37 kg taimen, caught in the Bichi River in October 2004 by Oleg Zakrzhevski