Our story
We have been fly-fishing in Mongolia for over three decades.
Mongolia River Outfitters and Fish Mongolia offer outstanding service, wonderful fishing, and conservation leadership.
Our adventures are promoted and trusted by the world’s most respected fly-fishing agencies. We are Asia’s first and only Orvis Endorsed Outfitter.
Travel+Leisure recently honored us with a Global Vision Award for level of service and commitment to communities and conservation.
Please join us on a remarkable journey.
Our business objective is to prove that a world-class fly-fishing operation can catalyze enduring conservation impact.
We are a Mongolian company working with Mongolian communities. Everything we do is focused upon one purpose: to help protect our country’s last remaining taimen and wild rivers. Taimen require vast and pristine river ecosystems to survive. There are only a handful of taimen populations left in the world. We have been working to protect two of Mongolia’s last healthy populations of taimen for a very long time. Every angler who chooses to fish with us is a conservation partner. Without your support, these wild rivers and the mighty taimen would likely be lost forever.
To read more about our science and conservation work with local governments, the Mongolian Academy of Sciences, WWF, TNC, BioRegions, and the Wild Salmon Center, please visit here.
Meet the guides
This is easily the most experienced taimen fly fishing team on the planet. These guys have been together on this river for decades. The younger guides grew up on these rivers and started as camp hands. One could not imagine a better group of friends ready to share their incredible knowledge and enthusiasm for Mongolia, taimen and wild rivers.
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. Thanks Peter!
Tulga Tumenjargal
Battulga (Tulga) is pure joy! He grew up on these rivers and has fished them with his family since childhood. Lately he’s been focused on the Buryat Expeditions. His mother lives a couple kilometers from the last camp. Tulga is passionate about conservation and making certain every guest smiles all day long.
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.
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.
Fabian Mendez
Fabian has guided at for taimen for over twenty 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!
Batbold Norovsambuu
Batbold is the original gentle giant…quick with a joke, great on the oars, and enthusiastic about every fish. Batbold speaks “fish on!” in Russian, Turkish, and, of course, Mongolian and English. Batbold works year round for MRO/FM, making certain these rivers are well protected.
Daniel Mesa
Daniel is an artist…creating music with a fly rod or classical guitar. Daniel has guided for over twenty years and spent more than twenty of those seasons on Mongolia’s rivers. A whitewater kayaker and backcountry expert, he’s climbed some of South America’s most remote peaks.
Jangar Bataakhuu
Jangar (aka, “Jack”) has been on these rivers since 2004. A native Mongolian, Jack has travelled 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.
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 nearly two decades. 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.
Andres “Chino” Mickman
You can always count on a smile from Chino! Andres 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.
Mark Portman
Mark started out as a teenager rowing gear boats on Montana’s Smith River. Now he’s a globally recognized fisheries biologist. Mark returns for the taimen, but secretly hopes to finally win a Mongolian wrestling match. One of the finest individuals you will ever meet, we are so pleased to have Mark on the MRO/FM team.
Meet the management
Manduhai Suhbaatar – Manager
Manduhai is owner, cofounder, and managing director. Raised in a family of academics, she studied economics at Moscow University. A highly respected member of Mongolia’s business community, she has thirty years of experience running successful tourism adventures. Manduhai is the quiet engine behind these operations. She’s out on a river every chance she gets.
Mark Johnstad – Operations
Mark is all about protecting taimen 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 Ganna –
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. 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.
Our team is ready to help you experience one of the world’s most fascinating fly-fishing adventures.
Contact us anytime. We’re always excited to answer any questions or just chat about Mongolia.
+1.530.604.2160