MORE THAN 30 YEARS
EXPERIENCE
OVER 10,000
TRIPS BOOKED
Owen River Lodge
New Zealand
Owen River Lodge is a multi award winning, stylish fishing lodge where you can relax in wonderful surrounds, be pampered with unpretentious service, enjoy some of New Zealand’s finest food and wine, be guided by a fabulous team of fishing guides, and do as much or as little as you wish.
Owen River Lodge is located in the Murchison/Nelson Lakes region of the South Island of New Zealand. The location provides the travelling angler with an enormous choice and variety of rivers, streams and lakes to fish, guests have over 29 rivers and streams accessible to them within a 90-minute drive.
Owen River Lodge is within eyesight of the boundary of Kahurangi National Park meaning you can quickly and easily fly into another dozen or so stunning wilderness streams via helicopter.
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All these elements add together to make a justified claim that that Owen River Lodge has the best sighted brown trout river fishery in the world at its doorstep.
Group Size
Up to 12
Target Species
Brown & Rainbow Trout
Season
Oct-Apr
Duration
5 day, 6 night
Cost Per Person
App. $6400-$8300
Zane Grey, famous American author and angler, described New Zealand as an “angler’s Eldorado”. He was right on the mark, especially when you look at the trout fishery.
Here you can enjoy fly fishing on numerous blue-ribbon streams and rivers, with over 30 waters accessible by road (most within one hour’s drive) and countless others by helicopter. The region offers huge variety, ranging from small, intimate rivers like the Owen River, to iconic freestone rivers such as the Wairau.
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The average trout size ranges from 3lb to 6lb (there’s nothing average about that!) but each season our fishery grants many an angler’s dream of landing a 10 pounder.
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The above represents a sample itinerary, if you wish to stay longer or shorter ask us for pricing and availability.
The Fishing
You may have heard New Zealand’s rivers referred to as being “gin clear”. Well, it’s true!
Imagine stalking a 7lb or 8lb wild brown trout in water so clear that it looks 12 inches deep when in fact it’s up to your waist.
You should use a dull-coloured fly line, long leaders and fine tippet. Unlike lake fishing, the majority of the casting you will do will be medium to short distances—accuracy being much more important than the ability to cast the complete fly line. Generally, anglers use a 5 or 6 weight rod, 9 to 10 feet in length.
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ORL practice catch and release fishing, given many of our trout are resident browns, and have witnessed that the vast majority of fish, if handled & released correctly, live on to be caught again one day.
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Naturally, the lodge had the world’s very best fly fishing equipment available and the tariff includes the use of all the fishing gear you may need:
ORL have New Zealand’s largest section of loan gear available from the world’s leading suppliers.
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The river fishing season in the southern latitudes varies slightly depending on which part of New Zealand you are fishing in.
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In the Owen River area at the top of the South Island, the fishing season opens on 1 October and ends on 30 April, so fishing starts in spring, moves to summer and ends in autumn.
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The varying seasons gives the traveling angler the opportunity to experience the different facets of New Zealand fishing.
Give us a call to discuss the differences in the season and how it might suit your goals, abilities and availability.
Non Fishing Activities
Whilst lots of guests go to fly fish at Owen River Lodge, there is an endless supply of “non-fishing” things to do around the immediate property, the local area and the greater Nelson / Marlborough region.
Here are just a few options for the non-fishing traveler:
You can relax in the knowledge that we absolutely caters for non-fishing guests. The ambiance, décor and understated elegance of the accommodation and facilities, and the total focus of the team at Owen River Lodge, ensure that all guests have a sensational time.
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Owen River Lodge has a dedicated massage room and right next door is a stunning outdoor Jacuzzi / spa, tucked away in a private space, overlooking the Owen River.
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If you would like a relaxing day around the lodge, a massage can be booked the night before, for the following day, or for your return from your activities for the day.
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Right outside the lodge, there’s a wonderful country laneway that meanders along the Owen River almost all the way to Mount Owen. Take one of the lodges mountain bikes for a spin.
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New Zealand’s ‘Great Walks’ are world-renowned. However, you don’t need to go to the Milford track in order to appreciate what New Zealand has to offer. Mount Owen towers above the surrounding landscape at the end of the Owen Valley. There are two walking tracks in and around the mountain.
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Our neighbours are wonderful “typical” Kiwi farmers. They are delightfully down-to-earth, friendly sheep and beef farmers.We can always arrange a “Tiki Tour” (Kiwi for"Let’s check out the farm”).
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Or just kick back and relax. With over two acres of gardens, there are oodles of places to chill out in the lodge grounds.
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive Christchurch and make your way to Owen River Lodge to arrive for dinner
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Day 2-5
Fishing with experienced guides in the best sight casting rivers and streams in the world for big brown and rainbow trout.
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Day 6
Check out and own travel onward throughout NZ
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Note - This is a guide only, any variation, additional days can be tailored to you needs, price may differ depending departure location
Availability
Spring
1 October - 6 December
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Summer
7 December - 21 March
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Autumn
22 March - 30 April
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Note - Owen River Lodge is often booked out over a year in advance. To secure the dates and fishing style you most desire it pays to get in early.
Getting there:
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Flying
New Zealand has 3 primary international airports: Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. From any of these cities you can catch a direct flight to Nelson. We recommend Air New Zealand - proudly the national carrier of New Zealand. We can arrange private transfers to the lodge from Nelson or you can hire a car and drive yourself, please call/email us for details.
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Driving
Owen River Lodge is located 2 kilometres down a country lane from State Highway 6 (opposite the Owen River Tavern), 15 minutes north of Murchison, a leisurely 90 minute drive from Nelson or approximately 3.5 hours from Christchurch (please give way to the sheep).
Included
Our package rates include:
- Accommodation in one of ORL luxury guest cottage suites.
- All meals i.e. pre-dinner canapés , a three-course dinner, cooked English breakfast, picnic lunch.
- Neudorf & Craggy Range house wine with meals.
- Beer
- Wi-Fi
- The use of all lodge facilities.
- Use of house fly fishing equipment
- GST
- Expert guiding with one of our senior fly fishing guides.
Not included
- Flights to and from New Zealand.
- Internal travel to Owen River Lodge.
- New Zealand fishing licence (can be arranged for you).
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