Join Montana Angler on our return hosted trip to Owen River Lodge in December 2026 to sample New Zealand's legendary South Island fisheries. We will be targeting mid December to coincide with early summer when water temperatures and flows are are ideal and the scenery is at its most scenic. New Zealand is famous for it sight casting to large wild trout. There are over 30 fisheries within an hour drive from Owen River Lodge. We will also have the option to add fly out fishing via helicopter (additional cost for flight time) to access even more waters in the remote back country. Each day of the trip we will sample new rivers and streams. Owen River Lodge is located in the northern reaches of the South Island near both Kahurangi National Park and Nelson Lakes National Park.
The fishing on the South Island is exclusively walk and wade fishing. This region is famous for producing massive brown trout. The walls of Owen River Lodge are filled with photos of 10lb+ brown trout that guests have landed over the years. This is one of the best locations in the world to sight cast to big trout!
Once back at the lodge we will enjoy outstanding meals at the well maintained Owen River Lodge. December is one of our favorite times of the season to target the waters near Owen River Lodge. The rivers tend to be in perfect shape with great flows, water temps and peak timing for hatches.
December 2026 Itinerary (7 nights and 6 days fishing):
December 9th - depart US on overnight flight (lose one day crossing the international date line) *option to leave early and spend an extra night in Nelson to break up the travel
December 10th - flying (lose this day crossing date line)
December 11th - arrive Nelson, rent a car or we can arrange a transfer to lodge at added cost for an afternoon check in
December 12th - guided fishing
December 13th - guided fishing
December 14th - guided fishing
December 15th - guided fishing
December 16th - guided fishing
December 17th - guided fishing
December 18th - depart lodge, fly out of Nelson to connect to overnight flight (NOTE you cross dateline again so you actually land back home on same day you depart: December 18th!)
(NOTE - guests may also opt to arrive a day early and reserve a hotel in Nelson to break up travel)
Price: $8,260 per person
Other costs: international flight, regional flights within New Zealand, rental car or airport transfer, premium spirits (wine and beer included in cost), any add on helicopter fly outs billed based on flight time
Included: all meals, guided fishing, all equipment (waders, rods flies, etc), wine and beer at the lodge