Firehole Ranch Fishing Guides
Our guides are as diverse as the waters that bless the Golden Triangle and as wily as the trout that inhabit them. We hope that you will enjoy reading these short bios and that you will have fun discerning fact from fiction as you accompany them for an outing. All of our guides have a great deal of experience guiding on these waters, even those who have only recently become part of our family. No matter whom you pick, you can trust that your day on the water will be tailored specifically to your needs. Whether you are new to the sport of fly fishing or a grizzled veteran, our talented guides will teach, challenge, but most of all ensure that your time with them is memorable. We hope these short sketches arm you with just enough information to keep your guides on their toes during your outing together. Happy Fishing!
Josh Duchateau, Head Guide
The barb for fly fishing landed deep in Josh’s gullet and near as we can tell no one is ever going to be able to dislodge it. A certified fishing maniac, his enthusiasm and passion for the sport is contagious. While you’re enjoying one of the ranch’s gourmet Western masterpieces, Josh is the lone figure you’ll see lakeside, diligently casting for Hebgen Lake’s twilight gulpers. His knowledge of fly fishing, fly tying and everything to do with trout fishing is largely due to his insatiable appetite for the sport. Josh fishes anytime, anywhere, with anyone who’s willing to join him. Nearing his twentieth year with us, we’ve decided Josh should come with a warning label, “Approach with caution – Interaction May Result in Intense Passion for Fly Fishing."
Watch Josh's interview with CNN's Reynolds Wolf.
Ryan Tomczyk
Ryan began his fly-fishing fascination in the southeastern region of the Appalachian Mountains. During this time, Ryan explored the backwoods of Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee chasing wild brook, rainbow and brown trout. Shortly thereafter Ryan found his true passion in life when he began guiding with the Four Rivers Fly Shop in Blairsville, GA. Ryan has applied the last 10 years towards helping guests appreciate the true spirit of fly fishing that he embraces. He has guided at Brigadoon and Froghollow Lodges in north Georgia, helping guests catch and release trophy-size rainbow and brown trout. He has also guided in Alaska where he assisted anglers in their quest to hook into Chinook, Coho and Sockeye salmon, along with Dolly Varden, Arctic Char and huge Rainbow Trout. When Ryan is not guiding he instructs future guides on fly casting, fly-tying, Czech nymphing and rowing techniques at the Clark Fork River Outfitter's guide school in St Regis, Montana. He also relishes in competitive fly-fishing and has been appointed coach of his Czech nymphing team. Ryan can be found traveling the backcountry of Idaho in pursuit of steelhead, cutthroat, rainbow and brown trout. In the winter he skis, ties flies and of course fishes!
Adam Jolivette
Adam was born and raised in Wisconsin as an avid sportsman. He spent countless days chasing all kinds of fish from trout to crappies to muskies with both conventional and fly fishing tackle. Yearly trips to Montana’s pristine trout waters fostered his love for the great state and its aquatic inhabitants. After earning a bachelor’s degree in accounting, Adam decided to put the cubicle life on hold - there are fish to catch! Starting as a Firehole Ranch maintenance man, he capitalized on every opportunity to explore the greater Yellowstone area and all the fishing waters it has to offer. A Green Bay Packer fan to the core and a drift boat to match, Adam is a people pleaser with a desire to put our guests on the fish!
Rowan Nyman
If ever there were a guide whose spiritual center seems to be found in our pristine Montana waters, it would be Rowan. His passion and appetite for fly fishing is unheard of – even in these parts where the love of the sport runs deep. Can you imagine spending over 280 days a year fishing, tying an average of 2,000 dozen flies a winter and spending the greater part of your life exploring the wild waters of the Golden Triangle? This has been Rowan’s reality for the past 20 years - many of his fly patterns have been picked up by Montana Fly Company; he’s coauthored magazine articles, published photos and been featured in area DVDs about fly fishing. Starting his 17th season with us, it is our fervent hope that Rowan will continue to grace the waters surrounding the Firehole Ranch for many more to come. Many of the fantastic images here in the Firehole Website are captured through the lens of this amazing artist, to see more of Rowan's incredible imagery please visit his website: https://fishonphoto.com/
Mike Rutkowski
Mike’s affinity for fishing came to him at an early age. While growing up in his home state of New Jersey, he scoured the Northeast chasing everything from native brook trout to striped bass. In search of better waters, he decided to leave behind his fly shop/guide job and head west to the Mecca of trout fishing. Mike started out with Firehole as a maintenance man and used his days off to learn the secrets of Yellowstone country’s fisheries. Mike now calls West Yellowstone home. He met his wife, Cristina, here in Montana and they welcomed their first son Benjamin to the world in May of 2019. While raising a little future fishing machine, Mike puts a lot of time behind the vise, tying a chunk of our go-to flies during the winter months. If he’s not home with his family, there’s a good chance he’s out on the Madison fishing midges to risers or possibly throwing his latest streamer creation to lake run fish. Fly fishing and guiding is a way of life for Mike. Whether it’s putting his clients on their first trout or landing a guest their monster fish of a lifetime, Mike enjoys passing his skills and knowledge along to give his clients the best possible experience. Easy going, patient, and relatable are some of Mike’s best traits and once he’s on the water, his passion gives guests an experience they won’t soon forget.
Hunter dow
Hunter is a fifth generation Montanan and has been fly fishing since he could walk. After spending half a decade working as a civil engineer, he traded tailored suits and weekly meetings for baggy waders and days spent on the water. His knack for finding big fish and keeping his guests happy has sealed his fate as a lifetime fishing guide.
A born instructor, Hunter is passionate about sharing his knowledge of fly fishing and the outdoors with anyone who will listen. His limitless patience, boundless energy, and deep rooted hospitality merge with his natural instincts on the water, making him an ideal fit for the Firehole Ranch.
When he's not chasing fish, Hunter spends his spare time rock climbing, backcountry skiing, hunting, chasing redfish on the East coast, or backpacking deep in the Montana wilderness. In the winter, you can find him floating his home waters on the Mighty Mo with his wife Sarah, or hunkered down tying endless streamers and dries.
Nate Finnerty
Nate grew up in a small town called Deerwood, Minnesota where he was raised to appreciate the beauty of nature from a young age. Whether it be hunting ruffed grouse in the colors of fall or ice fishing for crappie and walleye on the lake with his dad, Nate is happiest when he is outdoors. His passion for fly fishing was a product of many camping trips his family took out West when he was a boy. He devotes his summers to studying the intricacies of every eddy and riverbend this countryside has to offer. His patient, lighthearted demeanor and genuine respect for the outdoors makes him a calming presence on the water. It doesn’t matter if guests are setting the hook on a curious cutthroat or losing a fair fight with a mighty brown, you are guaranteed to see a smile on Nate’s face as he shares his love for the sport. If he’s not fishing, you will likely find Nate playing hockey with just about anyone who is willing to pick up a stick and join him. A true Minnesotan at heart.
Matias Palma
Matias Palma grew up in Esquel, a small town in central Patagonia, Argentina. After finishing college in 2016, he dove headfirst into the world of fly fishing, guiding in his homeland. But Matias wasn't content with just one place—he wanted to see it all! So, he became a professional nomad, chasing the fly fishing seasons around the globe. From the stunning rivers of Argentina to the breathtaking landscapes of Yellowstone National Park, Matias followed his passion, casting his line in search of the elusive big brown trout. When he’s not fishing, you might find him whipping up delicious empanadas or hosting a lively Argentine asado at his home in West Yellowstone. When the fishing rods are put away, Matias doesn’t slow down. He’s an outdoor enthusiast who loves to hunt and ski, making the most of the off-season. And let’s not forget about his love for soccer—he’s a die-hard fan of the Argentine national team, Vamos Argentina! Matias’s life is a blend of adventure, tasty food, and sports, proving that whether it’s on the river or the ski slopes, there’s always a good time to be had!