In the first place, Ishamael was still partially bound. According to Moiraine, he could only appear as a flickering image to the Myrdraal at Shadar Logoth, so he could not go to the Stag and Lion. He found where Rand and company were, but that doesn't necessarily pin things down for him. How well did finding the Bowl of the Winds in T'A'R work to give its location in the real world? He doesn't need to know where the Stag & Lion is to kill the rats who live in it and dream their way into Tel'Aran'Rhiod where he is hectoring Rand & co.

So what's the man juggling fire in his past? That would be an odd way to view Owyn.

The way she recognized herself standing around Rand's funeral bier? Maybe she didn't recognize him with the hat, scarf, medallion and better clothes. And it doesn't have to be Mat she saw. All she says is that it was a man who was not Thom - that could easily symbolize what I said - that he will get credit for the fire juggling that he did not do. The man could represent his reputation or something.