Ouzel’s New (and Old) Owners
For the last seven years Ouzel has been owned by international luxury tour operator, Abercrombie & Kent (A&K).  In 1999, after 20 years of careful and devoted effort, Kent & Beth Wickham sold the company to A&K.  At the time, the Wickham’s were interested in maintaining the traditions and history of a proud and well-organized river company.  With great foresight, they convinced A&K to hire managers from within the guide ranks.  Brian Sykes has been the General Manager since 1999 and Will Sharp has managed operations since 2001.  You may remember Will or Brian as your guides on the Rogue or SalmonRivers. Both have over 15 years of rafting and guiding experience in Oregon (most with Ouzel) and a great deal of continuity in Ouzel’s operations has been the result over the last seven years.  This past winter, Brian & Will exercised a long-held desire and purchased Ouzel Outfitters from A&K.  The positive and supportive reaction of the guide staff and those few guests who know has been gratifying.  Having managed all aspects of the business for the last seven years little is expected to change over the short run. In many ways Ouzel has come full circle and is once again locally owned by experienced and dedicated Oregon outfitters.  Brian and Will look forward to a future of continued success, steady growth, and most importantly, many satisfied guests.

Owyhee Blues
It’s bound to happen every few years, but it’s never easy to accept when it does.  Oregon’s Grand Canyon, the spectacular Owyhee River, is in a characteristically temperamental state.  With little snow in the mountains of northern Nevada and little rain in the extended forecast it looks as if the Owyhee will remain a sleepy stream this year with very little rafting traffic.  For our guides it is a real treat to begin the season by spending a few weeks exploring this desert sanctuary.  Hot springs, birds of prey, dramatic geologic formations, endless hiking and even the rattle snakes will be sorely missed this year if Mother Nature doesn’t provide us with rain. Still, we’re always optimistic and appreciate our guests’ patience and perseverance.

 100% Pure Oregon - The Wild & Scenic Rogue River
What’s so special about Oregon?  In just a few words, “Oregon has it all!”  Oregon is a mix of sophistication and rural charm, towering mountains and expansive deserts, cascading rivers and pristine beaches, outdoor adventures and cultural encounters.  Few venues succeed in wrapping all of these features into one convenient package as a visit to southern Oregon and a trip down the Wild & Scenic Rogue River.  Start with a visit to historic Jacksonville for fine dining and elegant accommodations then work your way to Crater Lake National Park for pure natural wonder.  Next, get off the beaten path and into the Siskiyou Mountains for a fully-outfitted 4-Day Trip on the Wild & Scenic Rogue. Shoot the rapids, take in the history and scenery (keep your eyes open for bald eagle, river otter, black bear and many other “local residents”) and let our guides serve you delicious meals with fine local wines at idyllic riverside campsites.  After the river trip, take a swing along the stunning southern Oregon coast and visit the Oregon Caves on your way home. Trips are filling fast – call us soon!

“I love floating the river - but I could do without the rapids!”
If you believe that whitewater gets in the way of a perfectly good river trip, then we have the perfect river journey for you. Oregon’s John Day River has just a handful of class II rapids in over 100 miles of scenic canyons. Our guests enjoy peaceful floating and comfortable camping with all camping gear provided and engaging guides preparing sumptuous meals served on full sized banquet tables with fine wines.  You’ll have plenty of opportunities to learn about the human and natural history of the canyon, fish for bass, hike, swim or simply relax in camp. Whether you choose our 3-Day or 5-Day trip, this is the perfect outdoor experience for families with young children or for those who simply want to relax for a few days. 

 Do-it-yourself Adventures
Want to tackle the river yourown?  Ouzel Outfitters is the only place in Bend on where you can rent a raft or inflatable kayak.  The McKenzie, John Day, Deschutes and North Umpqua Rivers are all within a short drive and provide river adventures for everyone from the beginner to the experienced boater. It is essential for you to be aware of your skills and knowledgeable about river safety and the river you are running (we can’t provide experience or knowledge) but we’re happy to help you outfit your trip with rafts, frames, oars, life jackets and paddles.  Call today to reserve your raft.

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