Teaser for movie "Drift" shot on the D

[12244]

Just in case you missed this on the main board.
Filmed in Oct with John Hazel and wife for upcoming movie "Drift" out this Fall.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46M-hh7HvxE

[Two Fister]

I'm trying to hold back, but I can't. After experiencing her river rage first hand, to hear Amy Hazel say that the river makes her feel peaceful makes me want to barf.

Looks like it was a beautifully shot moving and I'll be happy to watch it with the sound off.

TF

[nookslayer]

DOUGH!!! That one hurt, but only beacuse it's true....:laugh:

[Wiggley1]

DOUGH!!! That one hurt, but only beacuse it's true....:laugh:

By the way Homer, it's Doh!, unless you're talking about dough for bait.
:bricks: Just funnin dude.

On a serious note though, of all the women on earth, Amy would be on top of my list. Guess I better start fishing more or I'm gonna be a lonley old man.

[clarkman23]

I'm trying to hold back, but I can't. After experiencing her river rage first hand, to hear Amy Hazel say that the river makes her feel peaceful makes me want to barf.

do tell...

i've never seen either of them out on the river but have heard stories...

I usually stop in their shop to chat with the staff before heading out for a day of fishing and they always seem pleasant and full of information.

[Slow and Low]

Hey Clarkman you ought to read some of Amy's fishing reports off their site. There is an obvious disdaine for anyone on the river who is not "fishing well" by her standards.

[clarkman23]

you ought to read some of Amy's fishing reports off their site. There is an obvious disdaine for anyone on the river who is not "fishing well" by her standards.I read them and I'm just not seeing it...oh well...

[Slow and Low]

I read them and I'm just not seeing it...oh well...

Here's one where she is in a reel good mood. This startss of normal then you get to see hr true colors.


"Fishing Report: October 18, 2007
Big storm front blowing in today, though it was calm for most of the morning and early afternoon...it is now a bit gusty and is supposed to blow hard tomorrow. Take it as it comes, I rarely look at the weather report because it doesn't matter too much what the weather does, we are fishing regardless. Even on the most blustery days there are calm periods when the wind lays down for just a few minutes, and BAM ...Fish on! You can't hook steelhead if your fly is not in the water, so keep on fishing and have some fun while doing it. Remember, the wind is your friend when you have a Spey rod in your hands.

I wouldn't say that steelhead fishing has been red hot at any time throughout this season - there have been really good days with multiple hook ups, but not stretches of days in a row like that. It comes and goes and if you fish enough days you will find yourself in a pod of fish one morning and another in the afternoon - that makes for an awesome day! The season as a whole has been steady, but not remarkable. Steady is good, but the hype of the Oregonian and the Bend Bulletin earlier this month and in late September brought people out of the woodwork and made fishing very crowded and not as much fun. I start to lose that lovin' feelin' when I have to ask people not to step into a run just below me. I also lose the love when I get to a run only to find a guy sitting on the run at noon waiting for evening light and he has a HANDGUN conveniently within his reach where any angler approaching him could clearly see it. It was a little crazy out here for a while, it has gotten better, but here comes the weekend....

I get that lovin' feelin' big time when I wait for a group of Speycators (nymphing with indicators on a Spey rod) to finish and leave a spot - then we step in with floating lines and swinging flies and clean up - hooking all those fish that are looking up! Steelhead will always move towards the surface for a fly, especially at these water temps (54 degrees morning and evening yesterday).

Not that I have anything against the indicator fishing, these anglers are doing what they know. They fish for trout all year with nymphs and indicators, why change anything?
Why?
Maybe because you can go to ANY western river and nymph fish for trout with indicators and weighted flies. There are very few rivers where you can cast a floating line and a skating fly or near surface fly and hook magnificent steelhead. The boil, the grab, the line peeling off your reel - it is UNMISTAKABLE what has happened when you hook a steelhead on a swinging fly! It's the ultimate rush!
With a bobber and nymph that "take down" could be a sucker, it could be a stick, it could be a trout, it could be a rock, or it just might be a steelhead. If watching a bobber and a "take down" is your gig, great, but you might just want to try one time hooking a steelhead on a swinging fly - it is, arguably, what steelhead fishing with a fly and what the Deschutes River is all about. The tradition of the sport is not based on dangling lead-filled flies under a balloon, at least not last time I read the works of Roderick Haig-Brown or Jock Scott.

Why does tradition matter? I guess the best way to answer that is to look at a few other sports with history and tradition - baseball, for example....would the game be the same if the sluggers stepped up to the plate with metal bats? Or if they could fill their bats with lead? Or maybe, the league could shorten the distance between home plate and the wall so that home runs would be easier to hit and the fans could experience more action and scoring in the game. Why have rules and tradition when it comes to hunting? Couldn't we just allow guys to put machine guns on the front of their SUVs or ATVs? Chase down those deer and elk! Do away with the rules and tradition in bird hunting and you get guys sitting in duck blinds playing duck call recordings over a sound system - no need to develop the skill of blowing a realistic duck call. If it means more carcasses the bag, screw tradition. Ground sluice every chucker you see while driving down the road in your car - don't bother working for them by hiking up the canyon walls or by working with your bird dog for months before the season to build trust and teamwork.
Okay....off on a tangent. But, seriously, all I am saying is that it can be very rewarding to learn about the traditions of steelhead angling. To use steelhead angling techniques when fishing for steelhead, to learn a new skill like Spey casting or skating a dry fly on a floating line. There is a whole new world of angling available to you if you pick your head up and look beyond that bobber - you might actually fall in love with steelhead fishing! I promise that you will lose few or no flies while swinging on a floating line - unless that steelhead grab takes you by surprise!!

If trout are your target species, you are in luck. The trout fishing has been spectacular. The mayfly hatches have gone crazy during these overcast days - offering anglers some of the year's finest dry fly action. Blue wing olives and mahogany duns are the main menu items, but caddis persist in all sizes and trout are keyed into all things on the surface right now. The big boys are beefing up before the long hard winter, so have some fun hooking these pigs that are in their prime right now.

Our private lakes have been open for about a month and they are fishing really well. Reports of huge 26-28 inch "slabs" keep flowing in from the anglers - but there are plenty of "small" 16-20" trout to keep you busy in between hooking the beasts. Cabins are available on the ranch for two night stays - quite a cozy get away for some guilty pleasures - HEY, I'm ing about the trophy trout fishing!

Well, It's past closing time and I have some hungry dogs staring at me as I type this, so I have to run. Hope to see you in the shop this weekend, or on the river. We are doing our last Spey Clinic of the year on Saturday, it's booked full. So if you see me and John with a group of Spey casters who look like they are fishing AWFULLY CLOSE TOGETHER...we're casting, not fishing.

Tight lines, Amy & John Hazel and the crew at Deschutes Angler Fly Shop on the main street in Maupin."

[Two Fister]

I start to lose that lovin' feelin' when I have to ask people not to step into a run just below me.

Last time I ran in to her on the river she had her boat anchored in the middle of the magic mile. She was fishing with her clients 500 yards above her boat. When I pulled in 500 yards below (we were done for the day but I bet my friends, both ex guides themselves, that she would raise a stink about it) she came storming down the bank screaming and yelling about us dropping on on her water. It's always her water on Pine Tree to Macks float, even if "just below" her is a 1,000 yards downstream of where she is fishing. For those of you that know the run, she was fishing the bottom of the first run below the island by the BLM caretakers house and we pulled in on the last run of the MM. There are at least 6 seperate runs (and campsites) within that distance.

Really puts a black cloud on a portion of the river that I have been fishing since before John started working at Kaufmans, let alone before he and Amy started claiming ownership because they have a fly shop in town. I'd crawl to the Smerfs shop (Deschutes Canyon Fly Shop) on my hands and knees before setting foot in their overpriced, stuck up store. They are everything that is wrong with flyfishing.

And if they think the Deschutes is the only river that you can skate a steelhead on they are more myopic than even I realized...

Since this has turned into something of a bash,
Dan Capozzola (aka Two Fister)

[nookslayer]

You reap what you sow.... And I do agree that I will ONLY hit Smerf's shop when I'm on the D which is a lot. He's a good guy.

I have had the same unfortunate experience Two Fister, except I was in the spot first and was asked to LEAVE HER WATER. After a brief volly of explitives we moved on. I love that water and dread it all at the smae time. Now I call the shop to see if she'd guiding and where that day.

I guess they do have the right to be stuck up and all. They fish with Tiger Woods.... Doesn't that make it all right?:wink:

[wapiteaser]

I am glad to see that I am not the only one that has a very dislike for these two. I have live on the river for all my life and remember when he first started. He was a bag boy for Kauffman's and then tried to be a guide. His people catch very few fish on the river. To them it's all about casting. Watch them sometime and they will fish all day without catching a fish, then live it up online in their reports.

[clarkman23]

so how do they stay in business since they have this terrible reputation?

[Two Fister]

It is unlikely that I can answer this the way I would like and still keep my ifish membership....

It's a decision that everyone makes on their own. People value different things from guides, teachers, and mentors. If you have found something that works for you that's great. I know other people that do not share my personal sentiments, but I know a lot more that are tired of fighting with the Hazels. The BLM is tired of the Hazels fighting with people as well.

The people of Oregon worked long and hard to secure public access to the lower river. That section of the river belongs to us not the Hazels, nor anyone else. It will always be that way and I will always fish it with the attitude that it is our river.
TF

[Abalone]

They aren't alone in this respect. It's stories like these that make me want to stay home. The audacity of some people.

On the one hand their rudeness makes you want to say " To heck with you " But on the other there's only so much river and the spot you are in
is where you and your father used to fish back in the 60s probably before this women was even born.

It aint worth getting angry over it so you move on.

She sounds like a real piece of work.

[AlseaAssassin]

There's a special place in the center of the earth for guides with an attitude like that. Make me want to get out a side-planer and run it through "her" water, I bet she'd love that.

[NCL]

I found this thread very interesting. I at some point in time want to fish for steelhead on the D just because it is there. Fishing for me is supposed to to be a release, relaxation, and learning and if I catch a fish all the better. To sum it up fishing is supposed to be fun. It is not supposed to be about comfrontation and stress, if I want that I will stay at work. I certainly know that the first time you fish new water it is better with a guide and as such had certainly considered the aforementioned guide because I had heard of him. Now I am having second thoughts. If the opportunity ever arises for me to fish for steelhead in your great state, I think I will ask this board for guide references. Thanks.

[JustCallMeDave]

Hey folks, Amy is a guide and therefore a business. Anyone who has slammed her in this post needs to sign their names or remove the slam.

Thanks.

[Abalone]

NCL. The Deschutes with few exceptions is a very accessable river and well worth the trip. Occasionally there are situations like this but I would consider them rare. It's happened to me and was no big deal. With Oregon getting more popular we are bound to have more competion for everything. There is nothing to compell a person to leave a spot other then courtesy or the desire to find a more peaceful place to fish. The lady can rand and rave all she want's but she doesn't own the river. Come to Oregon, there is plenty of room....you can only cover so much water at at time and most of the time the fish are moving up the river.

Good luck !

[12244]

Ive never had a problem over there, its way too big!
I dont think these were customer or business complaints?

[12244]

I am sure I will hear from a couple of ifishers about one little man/too big boat at the Macks ramp. But he didnt approach me. I am not always approachable, I can read body language on man or animal.

[FrozenFish]

There's a special place in the center of the earth for guides with an attitude like that. Make me want to get out a side-planer and run it through "her" water, I bet she'd love that.

Side Planer with a fly?? Now you're on to something! DO you cast that one hand or two?:D -FF

[clarkman23]

Hey folks, Amy is a guide and therefore a business. Anyone who has slammed her in this post needs to sign their names or remove the slam.


Isn't this one of the purposes of a forum? To discuss things such as this?

personally, I've never experienced this from them and really enjoy chatting with their staff & will continue to support them until I experience otherwise. BUT, I still like to know what people's (guides, fly shops, etc.) reputations are. I never see anyone telling folks to remove their posts when someone talks about negative experience at a big box store, such as Cabelas or Sportsmans Warehouse...

just sayin'...

~Randy

[beswick]

I'm trying to hold back, but I can't. After experiencing her river rage first hand, to hear Amy Hazel say that the river makes her feel peaceful makes me want to barf.

Looks like it was a beautifully shot moving and I'll be happy to watch it with the sound off.

TF
For the last few years the stories have been so numerous that I can not count, but having had her walk over 500 yards to yell at me for fishing behind her, while taking a disabled vet. fly fishing, I can only say: keep the sound off and keep up the messages. I have been on the D for many years, and have a place in Maupin.
The new lodge she and John are building on the flat will insure they will be around, we can only hope that she decides to stop guiding and stays at home.

[12244]

I am greatful to know of anyplace that harbors some confrontational folks. Many of my fishers have PTSD, and well you can just imagine the response from someone that nearly died, or their friends have, defending our right to fish where we want to.
I let new riders know right away that they are not to speak up for the boat, without asking me why someone would act that way first. Its a common problem in National Parks, and such areas. Overzealous protectors of the resource, something I like to shed light on. I carry my 16ft Bull leather spey for attention getting sounds, nothing like making you own mini sonic booms in a canyon.

[Bait Bucket]

Sounds like John and Amy were meant for each other. :laugh:

I guess I won't be going there.

[12244]

Yes, you will. The friendliness of the locals, the visitors, and the always fun BLM make up for it. Oh, and the world class fishin and scenery.

Side planers are becoming to popular here, and the users not always courteous. If someone thinks they can run all over Macks on a planer and mouth off, good luck.
submit your reg request changes now.


Sounds like John and Amy were meant for each other. :laugh:

I guess I won't be going there.

[12244]

And everyone one of us would be sportman enough to accept an apalogy, and quickly get back to friendly fishin right?
You never know who you are going to need help from right?
Lets try to make this a positive move forward.
I will take an apalogy from anyone, as long as its true, and an effort is made to prevent the problem in the future.

I know this is a place where very high level folks escape to. You never know what kind of security is needed.

We once about had trouble chasing birds near a golf course in AZ. All we were doing was running fast with shotguns yelling "Quail"
Yeah, the then VP was golfin nearby. oops.

[FrozenFish]

For the last few years the stories have been so numerous that I can not count, but having had her walk over 500 yards to yell at me for fishing behind her, while taking a disabled vet. fly fishing, I can only say: keep the sound off and keep up the messages. I have been on the D for many years, and have a place in Maupin.
The new lodge she and John are building on the flat will insure they will be around, we can only hope that she decides to stop guiding and stays at home.


You can tell this is something that stirs emotion when we have guys signing up to add to the fracus, er I mean discussion. beswick, I think you can slide on the intro story as I already have a vivid mental picture of you getting screamed at for fishing through water they are planning on fishing the next day.:laugh: It' s funny now, but I can sympathize as it has gotten my blood pressure up a couple of times.


"Side planers are becoming to popular here, and the users not always courteous. If someone thinks they can run all over Macks on a planer and mouth off, good luck.
submit your reg request changes now."


Easy on the little pink driftboats Mitch. They are there own handicap.:jester:
-FF

[blazerman]

You guys have done a wonderful job turing a post about a movie teaser into a rag fest against a local buisness. I for one have spent a lot of time sharing the river with John, Amy and Crew and have never had any problems with them.

Two Fister: I do not believe for one second that Amy left her client to walk 1000 yards down stream to yell at you. 1000 yards both ways is 2000 yards, or 6000 feet, that over a mile. The one thing I do believe is that you were trying to upset her. Give me a break.

[12244]

Thanks Blazerman. Please keep the following posts to respectful, positive comments.
We will see how many come in. Thanks for your patience.

[AlseaAssassin]

Side planers are becoming to popular here, and the users not always courteous. If someone thinks they can run all over Macks on a planer and mouth off, good luck.
submit your reg request changes now.[/quote]

I was just making a joke there Mitch:wink:. I wouldn't do that unless she said something to me personally then I might consider it.

[flyin chrome]

I think that what bothers most people about the Hazels is the steriotype that elitist fly fisherman often portray. They are without a doubt the very definition to elitism. They target a very wealthy clientel that also prescibe to the elitist mantality. While I enjoy fly fishing I also have a lot of latitude for those who are just begining or those who make fly fishing just one of the arsenals in their quest to enjoy the outdoors.
Believe me, If they could make the river fly fishing only they would.

I don't know how many of you understand or can share your thoughts on this, but I have made a living on this river and can personally attest to the mantality that I have described above.

I for one don't feel like I'm better than everyone else because I can cast a spey line into the backing.....which I can.
Gil Muhleman

[bluefishes]

I've had nothing but good interactions with the Hazels and their shop. I custom ordered a double case for my two spey rods. Ends up I ordered the wrong size (my fault) and they reordered, shipped on their dime. I've seen both on the river and never had a problem. I do like John's shop too and frequent it too. I think some better communication all around on the river is a good thing which may explain some of the animosity.

You shouldn't flame someone if you don't back it up with your name. Sounds like some folks should be picketing out front of thor shop with the invective I'm hearing.

[Two Fister]

Two Fister: I do not believe for one second that Amy left her client to walk 1000 yards down stream to yell at you. 1000 yards both ways is 2000 yards, or 6000 feet, that over a mile. The one thing I do believe is that you were trying to upset her. Give me a break.

Blazerman,
I'm not asking you to believe me. Whatever I type on an internet board will not likely sway your opinion. I'm not looking to do so as it doesn't matter to me if you "believe me for one second" or not.

I'm making a statement about how I have been treated by the Hazels. The trailer, as I stated previously, looks to be beautifully filmed. It's the over dramatized commentary of two elitist, aggressive, and pompous guides that I take personal exception to. I do not believe that this is proper behavior for such a majestic place. I am glad, however, you have found a guide that you can relate to.

Several other people have experienced similar behavior and they have made their own statement in the posts above. I have received numerous PMs from people in the industry that wish to remain on the sidelines expressing similar experiences with the Hazels.

Several of these PMs have pointed to the BLMs threatened permanent suspension of Amy Hazels guide license because of complaints about her aggressive behavior and abusive attitude while guiding. I have not confirmed this with the BLM because I frankly don't care enough to bother. I will still be on the lower river fishing where I am entitled to fish (within the self imposed river courtesy guidelines that I follow very carefully), as I have been doing for more than 25 years. I do not consider pulling into the lower portion of the Magic Mile (it is named thus for a reason) to be low holing someone fishing the upper portion. There are at least six runs in this portion and many people can fish it amicably unless someone believes they are entitled to more than their share.

I hope you enjoy your next trip with the Hazels. There must be no doubt that they are excellent guides as everyone knows that they guided Tiger Woods. Unfortunately, I am not that impressed or threatened by their perceived sense of ownership. I will have the same conversation that I have had with them in the past (whether you believe it or not) when they purposefully drift through my run splashing their oars on the water after I have "taken" one of "their" runs that I have been fishing since Amy was still in diapers.

Mitch is working with people that need quiet contemplation and gentle recooperation. The Deschutes is a magical place for healing deep wounds. I hope everyone involved understands what he is looking for and what these heros need.

And as posted above, my name is Dan Capozzola and I approved this message.

[blazerman]

I hope you enjoy your next trip with the Hazels. .

Actually, I've never booked a trip with them and have probably spend less than $100 dollars in their shop since it opened. I know the river well enough to catch my own fish. I have spent a lot of time on the river while they are running trips and I have never seen the behavior you describe.

[Two Fister]

I wish I were the only one that has experienced this behavior, but it would appear that I'm not.

I'm going to do my best DB Cooper imitation and bail out from this hijacking. Maybe I'll see you out on the river sometime.

Mitch, anytime you need a boat that can carry a bunch of guys let me know. I've got an 18' Koffler that'll seat 4 (besides the rower) comfortably. My boat, rods, extra waders, truck, and time are at your beck and call.
TF

[JustCallMeDave]

Isn't this one of the purposes of a forum? To discuss things such as this?

personally, I've never experienced this from them and really enjoy chatting with their staff & will continue to support them until I experience otherwise. BUT, I still like to know what people's (guides, fly shops, etc.) reputations are. I never see anyone telling folks to remove their posts when someone talks about negative experience at a big box store, such as Cabelas or Sportsmans Warehouse...

just sayin'...

~Randy

Sure, discuss all that you want. However, if you are going to make negative posts about a business you (the global you) need to post your name to it. Them's the rules you agreed to when you joined up.

[speyguy]

I have fished the Deschutes for 15 years now. It is getting more and more crowded every year, and the guides (except the Riffle in warm springs) are getting more and more pushy. I do go into their fly shop now and then to shoot the breeze with the staff. John and Amy seem nice in the shop, but if they are being that rude, and acting like they on the river they can kiss my spawn sac! She better keep her mouth shut around the guys I fish with, we dont roll like that, and she will find that out quick. It sucks to have to be that way, but I will not put up with pushy guides.

M.Brown

[TallFlyGuy]

Hey, we all have these cool little digital cameras...and many have a video feature...why not just take a few shots of them doing what you are saying, then we could all believe.

Justin

[clarkman23]

She better keep her mouth shut around the guys I fish with, we dont roll like that, and she will find that out quick. It sucks to have to be that way, but I will not put up with pushy guides.

and just how will this solve the problem?

I would think it would make it worse...

that said, I really don't know how I would react if I encountered a really pushy guide yelling at me to get the {blank} out of 'their' water...I'd like to think I would just walk away but sometimes, something needs to be said (and it's not always the right thing).

~R

[cphatts]

I've met John and Amy several times in both social settings and at their shop and have always considered them to be nice people and helpful. I also did a guided steelhead trip with them a few years ago and the guide (who shall remain nameless) was an awsome guy whom I would fish with any day. Very knowledgable, friendly, laid back, and not the least bit aggressive towards other boaters.

I have never had any problems with them on the river, but I am also not going to call anyone who claims to have had a bad experience with them a liar. John and Amy run a business and are extremely competitive business people. This doesn't really bother me at all but I could see how it could bother some people. Every fly shop/guide service has their own mode of operation and clientele they cater to. John and Amy happen to cater their guide service towards people with more cabbage than the average person. There is nothing wrong with that. From what I have seen they do a great job and treat their clients well. I think they also do a pretty good job of promoting conservation, catch and release, keeping the river clean, etc. compared to many other guides, so overall I think they do more good than harm.

[12244]

Very well said, thanks for that thoughtful and very insightful post.

It can be a selling point of a business to tell high end clients that they can "scare anyone off" their daily water. We know how true that is. I hope to meet the Hazels and apologize, I started this thread and feel somewhat responsible. But nonetheless good information.

Dave check that Tippy Canoe, this thread is fine.

[FrozenFish]

I have fished the Deschutes for 15 years now. It is getting more and more crowded every year, and the guides (except the Riffle in warm springs) are getting more and more pushy.
M.Brown

Whole world is getting smaller eh? When I was a kid learning to row a boat and trimming the riverfront foliage to facilitate my backcast all of the guides on the eastside were from madras and Maupin. I can remember meeting John Judy when I was about 12 and wanting to be just like him (aim high, shoot high:wink:) The other "guides" were mostly teachers, that being about the only vocation compatible with a guiding season. John is about the only one left, there are a few old timers in Maupin who can get you a steelie on the first cast every day of the year, but they are getting few and far between (and cranky). It makes quite a difference in the experience that you convey during a days/weeks fishing when you as the guide are not just a visitor. Living and growing with the bio-rythems of the canyon is a far site removed from busting over from welches for a day of casting. Always seemed to me that the intimate knowledge was what seperated those I revered as river men and the industry they broke trail for. These days fishing guides are about a dime a dozen, but there is always a new generation that brings with it new talent and expertise.
I also really get a kick out of these guys who come over a couple times a year and can find the boatramp without having to stop and ask for directions pretending they are some sort of local. Before we had all these commuting locals we could even drink beer outside without having to be paranoid of the cops hiding in the bushes with night vision. ah....the good old days. -FF

[Ladyangler]

I wonder how Amy would act with all the presure that our wonderful Coast see's during the winter steelhead fishery.
Knowing that the majority of anglers on the coast don't flyfish is part of the problem, the other part of the problem is the large number of anglers who just don't care if someones fishing there or not.
This is called common courtesy something that has really been lacking in todays angler, I don't mean all anglers but a good number.
Remember when you approach someone fishing from the bank, boat,whatever real it up. If this approach is taken we all have a better chance oF not dealing with the wrath of Amy or others.

[12244]

There is no fishing from a boat on the D. So we are all wading bankies over there.

I noticed Matt of the Riffle is guiding West clear to the coast now.