River Haven Lodge - New Zealand
John Part shares his home away from home.
I have fished many countries for trout, and with other guides in New Zealand as well. Scott Murray, host and co-owner of River Haven Lodge, is head and shoulders the best guide I have fished with.
I first fished with Scott over ten years ago, when he was Head Guide at an internationally famous fishing lodge in its hey-day. Since then, he and Leya, his lovely American wife, have opened their own River Haven Lodge on the banks of the Mangles River near Murchison on the top of New Zealand’s South Island.
In the ten years we have regularly fished together, Scott has put me into more than thirty “doubles”, up to more than 16 lb, among a host of trophy browns. Scott really cares that each fisherman should get the best possible experience and this caring attitude shows every day, however difficult or easy the fishing. He’s a real friend. If I could pack him in my bag and take him home with me, I would.
However, Leya wouldn’t let me! She runs their beautiful lodge as the most welcoming home from home. There are three genuine log cabins that are as comfortable and well equipped as rooms in many top class hotels. Arrangements are fully flexible. Most fishermen take the ‘all inclusive’ package, including breakfast, packed lunch and evening meal in the main lodge. However, you can also self-cater (Leya will stock food supplies in advance, if you send her a list via e-mail), or you can choose to eat in nearby Murchison. You could hardly ask for a more comfortable and friendly base from which to enjoy the best brown trout fishing on the planet.
At River Haven Lodge, you will be within an hour’s drive of more than twenty rivers. If you helicopter, you can reach many more—and you can even fly from River Haven’s front lawn—we did!
If Scott cannot fit you into his own guiding schedule, he will put you with another guide who shares his vision of how guiding should be—no grumpy clock-watcher guides for him! Don’t kid yourself that this fishing is easy, without a guide with a lifetime’s experience of these waters, you would definitely struggle.
So, do yourself a favour. Put your trout fishing holiday plans into Scott & Leya’s capable hands. I do—all the way from London—and so do a good number of discerning fly fishers. Even a tough day on the river will melt into a warm glow in the friendly atmosphere at River Haven Lodge. www.riverhaven.co.nz