October 2004

Graham McKinnell ( First trip to NZ) and I ( My first for the South Island) were lucky enough to sneak a few days fishing in New Zealand recently staying at Felix’s magnificent Owen River Lodge nestled in the Owen Valley as the name suggests.
Felix had been at me for ages to get over and experience the fishing and to check out his new lodge that he has crafted from the ground up.
The main lodge and the grounds are terrific as well as the superbly designed cabins which overlook the Owen river, just like our Swampy cabin you can hear the river from your bed which is something I have become accustomed to, it felt like home.

Our first night combined of terrific food and company was only dampened literally by rain which brought the Owen up slightly, adding a bit of colour and Felix advised our first day out with Craig (The master) Simpson would have to be on another river close by, Oh well I could cope with that I had heard about the myriad of rivers close by and that Craig would be able to track a few fish down for us even in grey skies and light drizzle, it wasn’t long before Craig decided where we should start and an even shorter time before he pointed out Grahams first NZ trout that he could cast to unfortunately he didn’t catch that one but it wasn’t long before he did , the fish were proving a little scarce not to mention hard to see under the grey skies so Craig decided to find a Gorge to get some contrast (Shadows take some of the glare off the water) we were soon amongst some terrific fish from 4 to 7 pound.

Our second day was spent with Felix showing us around his home patch (Rivers clear quick round these parts) and so do the skies, we had a day that will live in my mind and I am sure Grahams for that matter indelibly, we Polaroid and caught nothing under 5 pound browns. Grahams first shot at a famed NZ brown came on a wonderful bend of the river with the sun at our backs. Felix found a nice fish (6 pounds) at the tail of the bend, Graham had a crack at him but he was having no part of it or was doggo it didn’t matter because I had seen another even bigger one about twenty yards up that was on the fin clipping nymphs freely. Felix and I directed Graham into position on the opposite bank and told him where to cast at what looked like a cracker, but told Graham it wasn’t a bad fish (Understated to keep his blood pressure down). He sent off the perfect cast and the fish moved to its right and inspected the nymph under the Adams then went back to what he was doing, Graham enquired as to what happened to which we replied he have another go, he sent out an identical cast and the fish moved on line and nailed it. It was about now that Graham realised that he was connected to something special the fish gave two high and powerful leaps, nearly as high as Grahams heart rate. The fight that ensued was long and strong and Graham handled every instruction brilliantly even when the fish decided to take shelter under a rock ledge for 3- 4min’s, he tried all tactics for moving fish under ledges and weed for that matter (Side strain, changing position, tapping the rod above the cork to transmit a shock down the line then briefly dropping the rod for what seems like ages but only took 10 seconds) shortly after the last trick the fish moved out and decided to take a run for the pool below and so did Graham with Felix in tow. He proved a tough nut diving into under cuts and ripping past rocks not to mention the fish’s performance! He came to the net many times, but try as Felix might he wouldn’t fit in the bloody thing and took off again, unfortunately coming off right alongside the net after the last desperate falling, stumbling water ballet over rocks I had ever witnessed, our best estimates from Felix and I taking out the fact that we are Honourable guides was the 12 pound mark!

The only photos we have of the ballet and fight is of Felix with the net placed rather nicely on his little cranium. Graham took it calmly and graciously and happily stood for a photo.
Hereby from this day forth this will be referred to as the INCIDENT!

Day three was proceeded by another rainy night that led us to have a look at the region’s rivers for the next time we get over. We had a great day even if we didn’t get much fishing in, the amount and diversity of the rivers on offer is truly amazing.

Day four and the last fishing day of our trip and Felix had arranged for Craig to take us to one of his special places, the anticipation was rising in the car for the creek we where about to fish carried almost as big a reputation as Craig Simpson himself. I was getting nervous however, Graham didn’t know what to expect because I had kept him in the dark about this place just in case we didn’t get the chance to fish it.

The first cast of the day by yours truly had me a little miffed with a very spooked large fish taking flight downstream after a cast that I could only describe as the money shot! After bumbling over this boulder strewn river that has the legs screaming in pain by the end of a busy fishing day Graham got his shot at a wonderful fish sitting at the back of a deep pool and after a great fight landing the fish some 400 yards downstream (this was to prove the norm all day) a 6 pound brown came to the net, the start of a truly remarkable day. We then took it in turns to fish pool for pool and landed about 10 or 11 fish with nothing under 5 pounds and fish to 9 and a half, we missed a few and spooked a couple more I thought that Felix’s water ballet was impressive but I must digress that I fear I performed the almost perfect ten on two occasions one to get out of the way of Grahams first fish, which came running straight at me while I stood mid river (fearing a repeat of the Owen). The second came after 3 successively large fish took me for a quick stroll downstream and I found myself striking a little hard on the fourth which put my backside trackside as they say, and Craig and Graham cracking up!

Craig made the comment at the end of the day that it was the best day in terms of fish caught that he had ever witnessed on this river in over 25 years guiding, to say I was a little chuffed that the master had put this day so highly wasn’t lost on Graham either.

As the phrase goes I took my hat off to this little creek!


I have never been so well looked after in terms of lodging (Felix), food (Jude), wine Try the Pinot Gris and guidance (Craig Simpson) in my career as a guide and travelling fisho.

If like me you don’t mind chasing big fush in clear water then get your bum over there and rup the lups off em! as The master says.

If you want to find out more about Owen River Lodge check out there website on our link page.
I will be taking a couple of small groups in December , February and possibly March.
Give Dash a ring if you think you could handle a bit of paradise.