The New Zealand fly fishing season has just come to a close and we’ve had a round up from this superb South Island Lodge.
Here’s what David Pike, manager and head guide at Eleven Owen River Lodge had to say:
‘The South Island delivered, as always. Our highlight trout weighed in at 10.5lb in December on a nearby backcountry stream.’
His detailed report is here:
We had another first-class season here with iconic brown trout fishing at the top of the South Island. As we look back and prep for next season, it is with sincere gratitude that we thank our staff and guests for joining us from around the globe. Owen River Lodge is one of the newest Southern Hemisphere angling destinations in the Eleven family, and we are very thankful to be keeping its legacy alive and well.
The early transition between winter and the New Zealand angling fishing season went smoothly, and the summer period was very successful with happy guests, busy anglers, and lots of legendary brown trout fishing. We landed multiple 10lb browns throughout the season, with plenty in the 8lb range caught by very excited guests. The top of the South Island is renowned for large brown trout fishing that can be quite challenging, so to catch a big trout in the six pound plus range is often a real prize.
The big winners for flies this season were large green/brown stonefly nymphs, small pheasant tails, coloburiscus nymphs, and classic Adam’s dry flies. The cicada terrestrial summer season was short and sweet with some great dry fly action on the warmer days in January and February. Seeing six to seven pound browns engulf a large cicada pattern is something to behold!
The New Zealand angling season was also maximized with our other activities like mountain biking and lake boat trips combined with hiking at Nelson Lakes National Park. Wine tours in the Marlborough and Nelson region have been popular especially on arrival and departure days, as well as arts and crafts trips in the Moutere/Mapua area of Nelson.
For more information on fly fishing in New Zealand and Eleven Owen River Lodge in particular, please contact Peter McLeod or Alex Jardine or call our office on +44(0)1980 847389.