Recent news & Articles

Why fly fish New Zealand ?

February 22, 2019

Why fly fish New Zealand ? Why do people come from all over the world to fly fish New Zealand—a little country tucked away at the bottom of most global maps (if it’s even included at all)? As with most questions in life, the answer is made up of many parts. Clarity of the water New Zealand rivers, especially those in the… Read more

Casting for Recovery @ Owen River Lodge 2019 : Special April Package

February 15, 2019

For the past 7 years, we have donated the lodge to Casting for Recovery for their Upper South Island retreat. This season we are upping the ante ! In addition to offering lodging for the event, we are offering to donate $500 per person for any new booking of 5 nights or more for stays between April 1st and… Read more

Owen River Lodge wins prestigious NZ Tourism award !

September 08, 2018

We really hoped for it but we certainly didn’t expect it! Last night, Owen River Lodge became the first fishing lodge in the country to win at the New Zealand Tourism Awards. I accepted the 2018 Westpac Business Excellence Award on behalf… Read more

All the questions you have about fly fishing in New Zealand, but were afraid to ask !

May 18, 2018

In this blog I shall attempt to answer all the questions about fly fishing in New Zealand - well at least some of them ! Firstly an overview of New Zealand ! New Zealand is a very small country, packed with ever changing geography, friendly people and some of the clearest rivers & largest trout you will ever encounter.… Read more

Owen River Lodge - offically NZ's most highly accredited fishing lodge

May 02, 2018

Great news! I am delighted to announce that Qualmark, the independent accommodation agency wholly owned by Tourism New Zealand, has just awarded Owen River Lodge its prestigious Luxury Lodge certification. This is the highest level of certification in New Zealand. Qualmark has also given us a Gold Sustainable Tourism… Read more

Casting for Recovery 2018

April 30, 2018

The last weekend of the fishing season was again taken up by the brilliant women from the Casting for Recovery charity. This was the 6th year we have donated Owen River Lodge to host the CFR South Island retreat. The retreat kicked off late Friday afternoon and went through to mid afternoon Sunday. There were 10 participants,… Read more

Preparing for your trip to New Zealand

March 17, 2018

For some a fly fishing trip to the South Island of New Zealand is a once in a lifetime event; for many of our guests it’s an annual pilgrimage. In either case there are two things you can do to maximise your fishing success and hopefully also your enjoyment. Practice your casting If there was one thing I would recommend… Read more

So you want to be a fly fishing guide ?

March 06, 2018

Owen River Lodge is one of New Zealand’s premier fishing lodges. We are seeking to take on 1 or possibly 2 interns, so they may learn from the very best guides in the business and hopefully become full time members of our guiding team. Owen River Lodge will help perfect your fly fishing techniques. Being a good fly… Read more

Peter Morse @ Owen River Lodge

November 25, 2017

Internationally renowned fly fishing angler, Master Casting Instructor, Sage & RIO Ambassador, author, photographer (and all round good guy), Peter Morse will be in house hosting an event @ Owen River Lodge: Sunday March 18 to Saturday March 24. Come and learn from one of the best in the fly fishing business at Owen River… Read more

What is New Zealand style fly fishing?

March 15, 2017

New Zealand is blessed with clear rivers and large resident trout. This unique set of circumstances means the angler needs to adapt their fishing style to suit the environment and quarry. Owen River Lodge is located near Murchison at the top of the South Island of New Zealand, this region receives a huge amount of rainfall (around… Read more

Early season fishing sees fantastic results !

October 24, 2016

If the first 3 weeks of the season are anything to go by; then season 2016 / 17 may go down as one of the very best yet. The wild browns caught have mostly been in very good condition, having lived through a reasonably benign winter. Melbournian Jason stayed at the lodge and fished with us for his second time in mid October.… Read more

10 best fly-fishing lodges in the world

October 05, 2016

Gear Patrol is an award-winning digital, social and print publication that reaches nearly two million readers per month have rated Owen River Lodge as one of the10 best fly-fishing lodges in the whole world ! We are the only New Zealand based fly fishing lodge in their list of the top 10. Read… Read more

Implementation of Back Country Fisheries

August 17, 2016

Fish & Game, the organisation tasked with managing the New Zealand freshwater fishery, have designated some of the rivers we fish with a back county fishery designation. Namely the Goulter, Travers, Karamea & Mokihinui river systems. In order to fish these rivers, anglers will need a back country endorsement. Anglers… Read more

How to become a better fly fisher and caster...

June 29, 2016

We would all like to be better casters – right ? As part of planning and preparing for your fishing trip to New Zealand, please don’t forget to do your casting practice! Many a fly fisher knows the importance of practicing casting techniques, however in the busyness of planning and preparing for a trip, it is often… Read more

When to fly fish in New Zealand?

June 06, 2016

The question I get asked more than any other is “What is the best time of the year to fly fish New Zealand?” It’s a tough question to answer, as there are so many variables. Probably the easiest way to answer this perennially asked question is to take you on a guided tour through the fishing season. October and… Read more

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Guest Reviews

Jan 20 2019

Memorable Experience at Owen River Lodge : My husband and I had such a wonderful experience during our time at Owen’s River Lodge. Nestled in the beautiful countryside of Murchison,… Read more