About Us
Who We Are
Our Story
We have been fly fishing in Mongolia for three decades. We established these operations for the specific purpose of protecting Mongolia’s wild rivers and fisheries. Now, both of our operations, Fish Mongolia and Mongolia River Outfitters, are recognized for outstanding service, wonderful fishing, and conservation leadership. Our taimen conservation programs and remote fly fishing camps provide access to and help protect hundreds of kilometers of taimen habitat.
The Team
We are particularly proud of our camp staff and guides. On the water and working hard from June through October every year, these experienced folks really know what they are doing. Our international team is diverse and multi-lingual, coming from the nearest villages and the rest of the world to share their enthusiasm for taimen and wild rivers. They are the best taimen fly fishing team on the planet, and a great group of friends.
We hope you’ll come and join us!
Meet The Guides
Tulga Tumenjargal
Battulga (Tulga) grew up on these rivers and has fished them since childhood. Lately he’s focused on the Expedition Trips (FM Headwaters Expedition and the MRO Buryat Expedition). His mother lives near the last Buryat camp. Tulga is passionate about conservation and making certain every guest smiles all day long.
Zolboo Bodonguud
As a young teenager, Zolboo walked into our camp with a broken down fishing rig. We handed him a fly rod and he hasn’t set it down since! In fact, he’s become quite famous in Mongolia, winning several national fly casting championships! You will not find a finer angler – or fishier person – anywhere in the world. He’s also an incredible artist!
Batbold Norovsambuu
Batbold (aka, “Baggy”) is the original gentle giant…quick with a joke, great on the oars, and enthusiastic about every fish. His weekly “taimen dance” has become quite popular with guests! Baggy speaks “fish on!” in Russian, Turkish, and of course Mongolian and English. He works year round for MRO/FM, making certain these rivers are well protected
Jangar Bataakhuu
Jangar (aka, “Jack”) has been on these rivers since 2004 and knows many of the taimen by name. A native Mongolian, Jack has traveled extensively and even spent part of his youth living in New Delhi. He’s a taimen whisperer who is also obsessed with catching pike. He’s a Mongolian guiding legend…and the stories just keep getting bigger.
Peter Fong
Peter has been the head guide forever! With several published books, Peter’s writing regularly appears in top-notch journals. He recently completed an incredible three month adventure floating from Mongolia to Lake Baikal. Peter fishes the world, every year returning for a little more Mongolia magic.
Jaime Castillo
Jaime was raised in Chile with a fly rod in his hand. He’s the definition of a true professional, and has been guiding his entire adult life. Jaime started and now runs the Chimalfe Lodge, one of Chile’s finest fly fishing destinations. He has over fifteen seasons of experience in Mongolia now, and keeps coming back every year.
Fabian Mendez
Fabian has guided at MRO/FM for over fifteen years. He’s spent his life in the outdoors and when he’s not in Mongolia he guides for some of South America’s premier operations, including several seasons as head guide at Nomads of the Seas. He is an absolute professional…Fabian gets it done!
Marcelo Poo Montecinos
Marcelo’s got the heart of a teddy bear…a very fishy teddy bear! He began fishing with his father on the waters of central Chile. He soon traveled south to the wilds of Patagonia where he’s now head guide at Estancia de los Rios. Marcelo has been with us in Mongolia for over a decade. We’re lucky to have him!
Jeff Forsee
Jeff is originally from the USA, but now he divides his time between New Zealand, Mongolia, and other fishy places all over the world. He is well known for his prowess at hooking his guests up with memorable fish. Jeff really takes it to the next level; he’s like a fly fishing life coach… professional, caring, and in the game all day, every day.
Daniel Mesa
Daniel is an artist…creating music with either a fly rod or his classical guitar, making him very popular around the campfire. Daniel has guided for over twenty years, with over fifteen seasons on Mongolia’s rivers. A whitewater kayaker and backcountry expert, he’s climbed some of South America’s most remote peaks.
Andres Mickman
You can always count on a smile from “Chino”! He is as happy on the rivers of Mongolia as he is back home in Chile where he owns and operates Koon Outfitters, based out of Coyhaique. Chino brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and enthusiasm to the team with over 15 years of professional guiding experience.
Guido Rahr
Guido spent his childhood chasing steelhead and rainbow trout along the Deschutes river in Oregon, which spawned a lifetime obsession with fly fishing. He currently studies Wildlife and Fisheries Biology at university, spending his summers in Mongolia. In 2018, he accompanied Peter Fong on the Lake Baikal Headwaters Expedition.
Meet The Management
Mandhuhai Suhbaatar – Manager
Manduhai is owner, cofounder, and managing director. Raised in a family of academics, she studied economics at Moscow University. She is a highly respected member of Mongolia’s business community, with thirty years experience running successful tourism adventures. Manduhai is the quiet engine behind these operations. She’s out on the river every chance she gets.
Mark Johnstad – Operations
Mark is all about protecting taimen pristine rivers and helped found MRO. He first came to Mongolia in 1991, lived here for several years, helped establish the modern national protected area system, rode a horse across most of the country, and has been back almost every year since. Mark is from Montana and now travels the world supporting conservation projects.
Ganna Gavaa – Operations
Ganna keeps the pieces working smoothly. She started her career working on conservation and development, serving as a consultant for organizations such as The World Bank. When you book a trip, Ganna will likely contact you to help take care of all the details. She is one of the most pleasant people ever and she looks forward to welcoming you to Mongolia!
Khandsuren Jigmed – Camp Manager
Handaa’s smiling face welcomes you into camp each evening. She grew up along the river and famously taught herself to read English while caring for the family’s sheep herd. Now she travels to high-end destinations across Africa and Asia, learning what it takes to run a world-class operation. Handaa is a super-star, working year round to make certain every detail is perfect for our guests.
Michael Caranci – Guest Services
Michael is one of fly fishing’s most experienced and respected professionals. For more than two decades, he has helped anglers with their international adventures all over the world. He has seen it all, and fished nearly everywhere! Give him a call and you’ll understand why we are lucky to have him on the team. He’s always ready to help answer all of your Mongolia questions.
