Reviews

Feb 25 2020

What a special spot!

We were warmly greeted by Felix and Kylie. This was our friend’s repeat visit and they had been raving about the Lodge for several years. We weren’t disappointed.

Our room was beautiful, the food was outstanding, and the fishing experience was incredible. Kylie was so patient in giving me some casting lessons. We only wish we had more experience with the sport. We look forward to returning with more experience to catch those very sneaky fish. Thank you all for a very fun new experience.

John and Roz: California USA TripAdvisor

Jan 19 2020

Sunny Summer Sweetness at Owen River Lodge!

My husband and I enjoyed a three night, two day visit recently at ORL. We are repeat visitors and it just….keeps…..getting…..better! Felix, Kylie, Ryan and Cassandra were stellar in their customer service. We enjoyed exceptional meals at Ryan’s hand and Felix & Kylie see to the smallest detail including room amenities and impeccably manicured grounds.
We are casual fly-fishing people and to that end DON’T overlook this place if you are not an expert in fly fishing. There are a multitude of various activities to engage in during your stay and the guides are great at mentoring and helping with technique. Our guide, Gavin, was an affable young man whom we throughly enjoyed. He provided efficient guidance and put us on multiple fish. Bottom line: we’ll be back~ OH….Indie, the resident lab is irresistible and the wine list is impressive!

Sue Ellen & Mark Wisconsin USA : TripAdvisor

Nov 17 2019

The Best Keeps Getting Better!

Felix, Kylie and the amazing team at Owen River Lodge (ORL) continue to exceed expectations. I have been visiting the South Island of New Zealand since 1997 and have stayed at ORL several times now. From the first trip, ORL has been unique and outstanding - somehow it keeps getting even nicer! Felix is tireless at making ORL even better, which is no easy task given the high bar he and his team have already set.

The cabins are beautiful and comfortable and continue to look like they are brand new. They are meticulously maintained and luxuriously appointed.

The main lodge had some great but subtle upgrades since my last visit including a spectacular new picture window in the dining room overlooking the river and, during October, snow-capped mountains.

Chef’s Ryan and Jo impress at every meal. Delicious, hearty and healthy food.

At the end of the day, I visit ORL for the fishing and Felix has built (and continues to develop through an innovative training program) an impressive stable of guides. As good a team as I’ve seen in my 20+ years fishing the area. The lodge’s location is ideal and due to the great number of area rivers the diversity of the fishing opportunities feels endless.

Truly an outstanding experience in every way and it’s clear why ORL continues to win so many NZ tourism awards!

Dave Boston USA : TripAdvisor

Nov 11 2019

Most amazing place!

We were staying at Owen River Lodge in the early spring season, October, and we loved the place! Friendly and inviting staff. Great wines served each evening and with dinner. Which was the best! We were served gourmet meals, breakfast, lunch and dinner! Expertly prepared by friendly chefs and served by either Felix himself, or Kylie. As a fishing lodge owner myself, I learned a lot about how a 5 start lodge operates. Mine is tad casual, in Alaska, but I am definitely taking home some pointers! The cottages were so comfortable and well appointed. The housekeeping staff did a great job.

My husband and his buddy loved the challenging fishing, and the guides were very helpful and patient. And friendly! As the non fishing spouse, I found a lot of time to relax, but also long walks, bike rides and a massage were great ways to entertain myself. I also had a day tour provided and was able to see more of the area, taste some of my favorite wines, and new ones, and had a marvelous lunch. This was booked separately, but a not to miss day for any non fishing guest with Felix and Kylie! I will accompany my husband again on this trip in the future. We love New Zealand and now that we know about ORL, we will be back!

Shelley & Mike Alaska USA : TripAdvisor

Oct 31 2019

Felix - I just wanted to pass on my sincere thanks to you, Kylie, Ryan, Jo, Anton and Chris for making my stay at ORL a truly memorable one.

When you asked me whether anything could be improved at ORL for the first time in a long time I was left without anything to respond with – ORL and you and your team do absolutely amazing job in keeping your guests very happy.

The ambience at ORL is amazing and the facilities and accommodation are first class.

A particular thank you to you and Kylie for taking the time to dine and chat with us - that was greatly appreciated.

I hope you all have a great season in what I refer to as “heaven on earth”. I am already scouring the 2020 calendar to find a slot for another trip to ORL.

Michael Connolly : Australia TripAdvisor

Oct 25 2019

Felix and Kylie know how to welcome, inform, host and wow. My husband and I combined our 40th wedding anniversary with 3 days at Owen River Lodge. It was a truly memorable experience. Incredible food led by Jo and Ryan international chefs, Stefano and Gavan our guides, river crossings by vehicle and by foot to remember, we even caught fish!!

Felix has loads of experience and has won many awards for his stylish accommodation (possum fur throws) stunning location and all over this guy knows what he is doing. Loved every minute of it. Lisa and Rick Melbourne

Lisa & Rick : Melbourne Australia TripAdvisor

Oct 22 2019

I’d read about the Owen River Lodge for years in Flyfishing mags so finally got to go with my wife, her first time Flyfishing. What a lovely place you have built Felix right from the start with a light lunch then getting Tina kitted out with waders and rod then dinner was out of this world thank-you. Ryan and the guides Adam and Chris really know there stuff and were very patient helping with her casting and then landing her first trout. We really did have a wonderful time thank-you.

John West Virginia USA : TripAdvisor

Mar 25 2019

My second trip to ORL, this one with my brother, saw six nights of really - I mean really -special dinners from kitchen masters Jo and Ryan punctuated by five fabulous days of fishing. Meals elegantly, yet not ostentatiously, presented in the communal setting of the 12-place dinner table overlooking Owen River.

Met new friends and shared stories (most of which appeared to be true) of our days on four distinct rivers. Browns of up to 8lbs (none below 3 lbs) were the main result for Craig and me, though one day, we targeted rainbows in a classic alpine stream and landed ten…not as large as our browns, but at two pounds plus, all were feisty fighters. Our outstanding guide, Adam, worked us hard (though certainly not too) to very positive effect. The rivers make gin look murky and their surroundings are stunning.

We saw no other anglers on stream, nor signs of them (looked for footprints on all the beats we fished; saw none). While this is no where near “slam dunk” fishing, Adam’s skill, guidance, and patience resulted in no skunks for our team for the five days; our most-productive day had the two of us landing 43 pounds from eight fish. Adam also took dozens of photos, all of which were delivered to us in thumb drives on our last day. Bluntly, the fishing was THE BOMB.

John L Portland USA : TripAdvisor

Mar 23 2019

A truly fabulous place that exceeded our high expectations.

My wife and I recently spent 3 nights at Owen River Lodge. From the moment we arrived to the reluctant moment that we left, it was an outstanding experience. Felix and Kylie are wonderful hosts. They have created the perfect set-up for anyone who wants to combine some of the world’s best fly-fishing with high quality 5 star accommodation and dining. It is hard to beat.

The bedrooms are spacious, private, and very well equipped with stunning views over the Owen River. The attention to detail throughout our stay was impressive and sets Owen River Lodge apart from many other places we have stayed at. The cuisine prepared by Ryan the Chef and his assistant Casawndra, was of the highest standard and beautifully presented. Dinner is served as an intimate dinner party, enabling guests from around the world to get to know each other and to share stories of the fish caught and the ones that ‘got away’! Again Felix and Kylie were perfect hosts.

Although the weather was not ideal, the fishing was a truly memorable experience. I am a fairly experienced angler, but my wife has only fished once before. Our excellent guide Dave (who I cannot recommend highly enough) ensured that both of us had 2 very special days of fishing, with my wife catching her first brown trout, and me catching my largest one to date. Thank you all for such a memorable stay at the Lodge. We are certainly planning to return!

Paul J UK : TripAdvisor

Feb 24 2019

My return trip to fly fishing paradise AKA Owen River Lodge!

I have traveled New Zealand extensively over 40 years in pursuit of large trout and there’s a reason I keep going back to Owen River Lodge.

Ideally situated in the beautiful Tasman region with a variety of rivers to choose from, ORL is a virtual Disneyland for the traveling fly fisher. My most recent trip with guide Adam (highly recommended) did not disappoint with plenty of action (wet & dry) every day and some very large brown trout that will live in my memory vault forever.

As always, the food and accommodations are first class and Felix and Kylie and their excellent team did an exceptional job of meeting all my needs making my trip most productive, enjoyable and comfortable. Owen River Lodge is a true gem among fishing destinations and I look forward to my return visit and many more!

Robert T Chicago USA : TripAdvisor

Feb 19 2019

Brown Trout Heaven :

Sighting, stalking, casting to and catching 6lb brown trout in crystal clear water with magnificent scenery is a fly fisherman’s dream. Thanks to our excellent guide Adam, whose skill at sighting fish and giving helpful tips was invaluable, my wife and I caught fish every day. They aren’t easy and the fishing was challenging but that made each fish so much more special. Definitely one of the best fishing trips I have ever had.

And that’s just the fishing! Back at the lodge Felix, Kylie and the staff make everyone feel so welcome, and the food and accomodation is superb. Thanks to everyone for a truely memorable trip.
If you love fishing, put ORL on your bucket list.

Rob & Bernadette; Queensland Australia TripAdvisor

Feb 17 2019

Exceptional Time

We had a tremendous experience at Owen’s River Lodge due to Felix Borenstein’s ability to truly develop a 5 star fishing lodge in a pristine area on the South Island of New Zealand.
The staff, chefs Ryan and Jo along with Casawndra were superb in making our experience delightful, and of course Kylie made us feel at home everyday. In all of our travels and stays at lodges, the ORL stands out superior to the rest

Jeff & Christy: Seattle USA : Tripadvisor

Jan 29 2019

Trip of a Lifetime

Our group stayed In January 2019 for a week of lodging and six days of fishing. Felix and his staff could not have done any better. The food and lodging were outstanding.
The fishing was demanding but extremely rewarding. The guides were knowledgeable and dedicated and the fish were SO special!!!! Expectations were exceeded creating a most memorable trip of a lifetime!

Homewaters Fishing Club; PA USA TripAdvisor

Jan 21 2019

We had a group of six stay at the lodge for 5 nights. We fished 4 days, including one helicopter trip into the back country. What an incredible experience we all had.

Our fishing capabilities ranged from novice to moderate and we all landed great New Zealand brown trout (a great deal of help came from the fantastic guides).

Outside of the fishing the ambiance and food were spectacular! We will be back.

Tanner: Colorado USA Google Review

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, Felix and his crew treated us like family the moment we arrived (pups too!). Everything from the fly fishing, to hospitality, to meals, and accommodations were exceptional.

We were in very good hands with our seasoned and highly knowledgeable guide who put us on some amazing fish. One of the highlights of the trip for my husband and I was our heli fishing experience. Definitely worth it if you’re giving it consideration. My only regret was that our time at ORL was too short. We look forward to returning one day. Thank you ORL for such a memorable experience! All the best and tight lines~

Jenny; Massachusetts USA TripAdvisor

Awards & acknowledgements

Owen River Lodge NZ: “Fly fishing at its very best”

Ph: +64 3 523 9075 Address: Owen Valley East Road, Murchison, Nelson, South Island, New Zealand

Email: fish@elevenangling.com