Get to know your guides.
The Lodge at Forest Grove employs the some of the hardest working, most dedicated guides in Montana. This isn’t a job, it’s a lifestyle. All of our guides live, eat, and breathe fishing. We believe passion leads to success.
Anthony VonRuden - Owner/Outfitter - USCG Certified Captain
Anthony brings a wealth of knowledge and experience. He loves spending time on the water with his family, friends, and guests. The fire for guiding still burns bright as he continues to expand on his knowledge of the fish and their habits. He loves to teach beginners as well as pursue trophy fish with more experienced anglers. Trout, Pike, and Bass are all favorites of his. Rest assured you will learn something new each day you spend in the boat with Him.
In addition to fishing Anthony owns and operates a very successful hunting business. This enables him to spend over two hundred and fifty days a year in the field. He believes that the experience is what matters most and truly wants all of his clients to have a happy and successful trip. You will find him guiding fly fishing in Missoula, or following his bird dogs around in the Badlands of Eastern Montana.
Stan Spoharski - Senior Guide - USCG Certified Captain
Stan is a senior guide for the Lodge at Forest Grove and has over a decade of experience on the rivers that flow through the Missoula area. Stan is originally from Pennsylvania and grew up hunting and fishing from a young age. He took that passion for the outdoors with him when he moved to Montana to attend college. He has a degree in Wildlife Biology and a keen sense for wildlife and their habits. Stan is extremely patient and will take the time to make sure each guest has a full understanding of the concepts needed to have a successful day on the water.
Stan is a true year round guide. Last year he spent over two hundred days guiding in two different countries, he guides and manages an Elk hunting camp in the fall. He two passions are big trout and bugling bull Elk.
Cale Updegrave - Guide - USCG Certified Captain
Tracing his roots back to Pennsylvania, Cale grew up hunting and fishing from a very young age. He started his career as a warm water guy before seeing the light and transitioning to trout. Fun fact; Cale was on a bass fishing team in college. Cale always has a smile on his face and is sure to keep you laughing all day long. All of Cale’s favorite activities keep him close to the water. When the leaves change color and the water becomes too cold for fishing you can find Cale sitting in a blind running a duck or goose call. Cale runs our waterfowl operation in the fall, if you like chasing birds there is no better way to get Cale fired up than asking him about goose hunting.
Chandler Metcalf - Guide
Chandler was born and raised in Hardin Montana. On the banks of the fabled Big Horn River. After high school he headed to the Western half of the state to start his guiding career. Chandler began guiding Elk hunts at the age of 18 and hasn’t looked back since.
Chandler grew up in the woods and on the rivers of Montana. He has a natural talent for explaining things in a way that just make sense. He is one of the funniest and most charismatic guides you will ever find. Everyone just flat out loves Chandler, spend a day on the water with him and you will know exactly what we are talking about.
Connor Dwyer - Guide
Connor grew up fishing the waters around Missoula Montana. Born in the Bitterroot Valley he has over 20 years of experience on the rivers that we call home. Connor is a former teacher so he knows how to give instruction and always keeps things positive. Connor is also an avid hunter and loves to spend his falls chasing Elk.