WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
WHEN YOU GO
LOCATION
Owen River Lodge is located in
New Zealand in the northern region of the
South Island.
SPECIES Brown Trout
RIVERS Acheron, Alma, Aorere, Baton, Branch,
Buller, Clarence, Cobb, Deepdale, D’Urville,
Gowan, Goulter, Leatham, Mangles, Nun-
nya, Matakitaki, Matiri, Maruia, Motueka,
Motupiko, Owen, Pelorus, Rainbow, Riwaka,
Rolling, Rai, Sabine, Spring Creek, Severn,
Saxton, Tutaki, The Branch, Travers, Takaka,
Wangapeka, Waimea, Woolley, Wairau, Wain-
garo and Waihopai rivers.
David Pike laying out a cast.
• Early: October/November
• High Season: December, January, February
and March
• Late: April
FLIGHTS Expect to fly to Auckland on your
international airline and catch an internal Air
New Zealand 90-minute flight to Nelson. Flex
ticket is highly encouraged.
PASSPORTS/VISAS You will need a valid pass-
port.
CUSTOMS Travelers will go through customs in
Auckland, New Zealand.
TRAVEL TIP New Zealand Customs officers are
very serious about maintaining New Zealand’s
disease-free status. It’s imperative that you de-
clare any fishing equipment you have. Make
sure your boots and waders are absolutely dry
and spotless with no mud, grass or any other
material attached to them. We recommend
that you do not bring any fly tying materials
(e.g. feathers).
TIME ZONE New Zealand Standard Time
(NZST), 12 hours in advance of Coordinated
Universal Time (UTC). During summer
months—from the last Sunday in September
until the first Sunday in April—daylight sav-
ing time is observed and clocks are advanced
one hour. New Zealand Daylight Time
(NZDT) is 13 hours ahead of UTC.
WEATHER Mild autumn weather temps with
the occasional rain shower.
LANGUAGE All guides speak a flavor of English.
CURRENCY/TRAVEL CASH Exchange USD into
New Zealand Dollars. It is recommended that
you travel with approximately $1,000-$1,250
(per week of travel) for gratuities, alcohol, and
miscellaneous gifts. It is wise to have at least
$50 U.S. changed for small in town tipping
and/or on the road snacks/drinks.
CREDIT CARDS VISA and most other major
cards are accepted widely from the airport to
small gas stations in the bush.
POWER COMMUNICATIONS Owen River Lodge
has all electrical outlets for US devices power
needs. Bring a power converter for stays in
smaller hotels.
SEASON
FISHING LICENSES Fishing licenses are not
included and but are issued on-site.
MEDICAL FACILITIES The nearest medical
facilities are 90 minutes away in Nelson.
WATER The water is clear, clean, drinkable
and you might want to try to bottle it and
bring it back with you.
CLOTHING/PACKING SUGGESTIONS The autumn
climate of this area is mild yet can be wet.
Bring sun tan lotion and your raincoat. An-
glers are advised to wear layers of clothing,
allowing you to add or subtract garments
during the day. All guests should be prepared
with thermal underwear, fleece/soft shell
jacket, and a reliable rain jacket. Bring no
bright colored shirts or hats. Most people
wet-wade with dark long johns, shorts and
wet wading socks. Owen River Lodge has all
boots, wet socks, Simms waders and Sage
rods if you want to travel light.
ADVICE Bring a waterproof backpack and a
light raincoat. Your sunglasses are the most
important tool you’ll need. Lastly, do yourself
and your guide a favor: practice casting with
long leaders before you go. You’ll be happier
and more successful.
SINGLE HAND RODS 9-11ft / 6-7wt.
SINGLE HAND LINES Floating lines balanced to
your rod are what is needed.
REELS A reliable drag on your reel is pre-
ferred.
LEADERS You’re going to cast the longest lead-
ers you’ve ever tried to throw; 12- to 22 feet
are the range.
TIPPET Flourocarbon is the tippet materials of
choice. Have it in 6 to 10 pounds.
FLIES It’s hard to give advice on flies for the
simple reason your guide will switch around
sometimes between as few as two casts to
satisfy a wary trout. I suggest saving money
on flies and increasing your tip to your guide.
I experienced 22 fly changes for one fish!
ACCOMMODATIONS AND MEALS Owen River
Lodge designed their six, purpose-built
guest cottage suites with both the angler
and non-angler in mind. They are located
in the garden, a short stroll from the main
lodge building. These luxuriously-appointed
suites enjoy stunning views of the water, the
valley and Kahurangi National Park, with the
delightful sound of the Owen River in the
background.
Their design emphasizes light and space,
accentuated by soaring, cathedral-type
ceilings. They all feature fine art works and
100 year-old recycled Oregon beams and
woodwork. Their accommodation suites can
be configured with either a king-size double
bed or twin single beds. Total capacity is 12
guests.
The food at Owen River Lodge could best
be described as stunning. They use the fresh-
est of local produce, including items from the
lodge garden, tended according to organic
principles, supplies the kitchen with produce
every day and is backed up by daily deliver-
ies of fresh fruit and vegetables grown in the
Nelson region.
When it comes to seafood, nearby Nelson
has a thriving fishing industry, so what they
catch on Monday is served at the lodge on
Tuesdays.
BOOKING OPTIONS For availability and insight
into both operations, contact Kyle at Fly
Water Travel. [email protected] or
800-552-2729.
OWEN RIVER LODGE https://www.owenriver-
lodge.co.nz or phone +64 3 523-9075.
traveling angler
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