NZ welcoming international visitors in May

March 05, 2022

By Felix Borenstein

New Zealand’s border opens May 2022

It’s been two long years in the making, but finally… from May 1 2022, fully-vaccinated people from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia (13 April) and most European countries can enter New Zealand with no quarantine or self-isolation requirements.

The Outlook for Fishing Season 2022_23

What that means for you and for me is that the 2022/3 fishing season’s going to be huge. After two seasons’ holiday from skilled international anglers, our brown trout have grown complacent. They’ve spent all their time eating, lazing around and making whoopee.

In just seven short months, they’re going to get the shock of their lives.

Naturally, New Zealand’s premier luxury fishing lodge will be ready to welcome you back to our trout-filled, gin-clear South Island waters. Be warned, though: thanks to the many wonderful international guests who kept the faith that they’d get back to Owen River Lodge eventually—and who therefore took credits rather than refunds—we’re almost completely booked out for January and February 2023.

We do still have some vacancies in the periods Oct–Dec 2022 and Mar–Apr 2023, so I’d encourage you to book straight away to avoid disappointment. Don’t miss out on next season’s trout-fest!

Expect more of everything you love about Owen River Lodge next season

Yep, the future’s looking as bright as the sunlight sparkling off the Owen River, the sheen on a landed 12-pounder, and the twinkle in Chef Ryan’s eye.

We managed to keep our team together (with the exception of Pete Flintoff who recently retired after 35 years guiding. We’ll miss you, Pete.).

Environmental Sustainability

We’re still honouring our commitment to environmental sustainability as New Zealand’s only carbon-positive fishing lodge. And we’re currently part-way through the B-Corp auditing process, so we and hope to add that certification by next season.

It’s looking like the Owen River Lodge team is going to be very, very busy in a few months. After a surreal couple of years, I find that extraordinary—and very reassuring. Thank you to all our angling friends, old and new, for your loyalty and enthusiasm. We can’t wait to welcome you back, swap yarns, and get you on the water again.

Here’s to making new and happy memories.

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