Owen River Lodge
Upper South Island
Owen River Lodge is one of the best fishing lodges in New Zealand to stay at if you’re passionate about fishing for brown trout, with a fabulous number of rivers and streams within an easy drive.
The boutique lodge is small and intimate, with a maximum of 12 guests at any one time. Accommodation is in six beautifully appointed garden cottages, each with a view of the Owen River valley and nearby granite escarpments of the Kahurangi National Park. This is big country.
There are over 25 excellent fishing rivers and streams to choose from within a 90 minute drive including the Maruia, Buller and Motueka Rivers, and many more that are accessible by helicopter. As the owner says, “You may have heard New Zealand’s rivers described as being “Gin Clear” – well it’s true! Imagine stalking a 10lb brown trout in water, so clear, that what looks 12 inches deep is actually up to your waist!”
Owen River Lodge is at the northern end of the South Island and is a 90 minute drive south of Nelson along State Highway 6, with the last 2 kilometres on easy gravel road. It is close to the Nelson and Marlborough wine regions and all the attractions of these two beautiful areas. The small town of Murchison is just 15 minutes to the south.
Accommodation:
six double/twin cottages in the garden, each opening onto a sunny deck
cottages are fitted with native timber flooring, neutral colours and big comfy armchairs
top of the range king-size beds (all rooms can be king or 2 king singles) and crisp white bedding
ensuite bathrooms are also of native timbers and are well-sized
tea/coffee making area, fridge and home baking in each cottage
very quiet surroundings and rooms are screened for the sandflies
The Main Lodge:
large central lounge/dining area with an open kitchen
big shared dining table overlooking the river for those wonderful table d’hote dinners and early breakfasts
good local wine selection
quiet evening bar/TV/internet room away from the main lounge area
hot spa pool in the garden
deck platform down by the river for evening cocktails or a quiet coffee
large organic vege garden providing much of the lodge’s fresh produce
well stocked tackle room with superior Simms wet gear, waders and boots, Sage rods and reels, and Lamson reels. Sage and Simms gear now available to purchase
the lodge has the highest environmental sustainability rating available in NZ
The Fishing:
access to many rivers within a 60 minute drive; also good lake fishing as close as 20 minutes drive
top fishing guides available (max of 2 people with each guide)
fishing is mainly sighted fishing for brown trout in crystal clear water
average fish size – 1.5 – 3 kg (3 – 6 lb) with up to 5 kg (10 lb) fish
typically anglers use a 5 or 6 weight rod, 9 to 10 feet in length
hunting or stalking these brown trout requires the angler to use a dull coloured fly line, long leaders & fine tippet
unlike lake fishing, the majority of the casting you do will be medium to short distances – accuracy being much more important than the ability to cast the complete fly line
Tariff:
Lodge accommodation rates start from NZD$1,490 per night for 2 people (twin share), low season rates. Includes a cooked English breakfast, a picnic lunch, pre-dinner canapes, a 3-course dinner, and Neudorf & Craggy Range house wine & beer, WiFi, GST (tax) and use of all lodge facilities and fishing equipment
3-night minimum stay requirement
Multi-day stay/fish packages available, starting from NZD$6,170 for 2 people (twin share) for a 3-night/2-day Guided Fishing package (includes taxes and use of all fishing equipment), low season rates.
Cancellation and covid policies apply
New Zealand Fishing Licenses for Non-residents start from NZD$35 per day or NZD$250 for a season pass
Season:
Owen River Lodge is open from October 1 to April 30