Uncle Joel and Big Steve are best of friends and have been since 1982 where they met in hunting camp in the Idaho wilderness. He is the namesake of the youngest Zettel. He and his wife Nancy, are the proud parents of previous Idaho Wilderness Company guides, Ty and Nate.

Joel has guided on the Middle Fork and in hunting camps from Idaho to Alaska. He is a true wild spirit, the consummate over-achiever, and a great Uncle Joel to the Zettels and the rest of the guides. He is part owner of a very successful lumber brokerage company, Sapphire Lumber in Hamilton MT.