Meet Our Guides
John Gemmell
John had a vision and wanted to incorporate his love for the outdoors into a business, which he has successfully done. John has been guiding for 25+ years now, knows his rivers like no others, and with eyes like a hawk he sources out the trout and gives you the challenge and exhilarating fly fishing experience you came for.
Nic Robertson
Nic returned home to New Zealand as he missed the trout fishing so much!
Needless to say he has a great passion for the outdoors, enthusiastic about meeting people and patience in guiding them to meet the challenge of catching the wise ol' browns.
Jim Bratschi
Jim has been guiding for Riverview Lodge for several years. A man with a great passion for the New Zealand outdoors, what it offers. Loves to fish and hunt himself, and married with 4 children.
About Us
Riverview Lodge is located in the heartland of some of these large trophy Brown Trout. If you will allow, we boast to have guided clients to some of the largest Brown Trout in New Zealand. Nowadays fish average 5-6 pounds but every season still some 10+ pound fish are caught – every anglers dream of a lifetime.
New Zealand Fly fishing guides have the reputation of providing unparalleled fly fishing adventures. At Riverview Lodge we combine that with luxury and comfortable fishing lodge accommodation. Non anglers are welcome to accompany their partners, either on the river or in the Alpine Village of Hanmer Springs, which offers many other activities to ensure they also have a wonderful holiday/vacation. (Refer to our Activities page).
Guided fly fishing for large, wild Brown Trout is done on a daily basis in a variety of locations. Travelling by vehicle or helicopter, ensures an exciting day in beautiful remote scenery, and with every opportunity to outwit the smart New Zealand Brown Trout and to capture it on camera. Riverview Lodge adheres to the Catch and Release principal.
Our fly fishing guides are experienced and professional. All have a lifetime of knowledge, and are enthusiastic and passionate about the environment and conservation of our wonderful, wild brown trout. With the expertise of your guide's knowledge, the aid of Polaroid glasses, and then your presentation of a selected dry fly, or nymph, fishing is both exhilarating and testing.
Brown trout are predatory fish. In slow-moving pools, they cruise looking for food. In flowing water they tend to face upstream, feeding on drifting aquatic insects. Often our mountain waters are crystal clear and so one of the main challenges is for your guide to see the brown trout before it sees him or you. Brown trout immediately seek cover if they see movement on the riverbank. Your guide goes ahead of you, finds the fish, then points it out to you. With additional aid of his experience and knowledge in deciding how to cast to this particular fish, the fun and challenge is for you to outsmart it with your fly or nymph. Strike! - Hey bingo!
DEPOSIT & CANCELLATION POLICY
Deposit Requirements -
To secure a booking 50% deposit is required.
Total payment to be paid within 60 days of arrival.
Cancellation Policy
Within 90 days of arrival - 25% cancellation fee
Within 60 days of arrival - 50% cancellation fee
Within 30 days of arrival - 100% cancellation fee
No refunds on early departures
We highly recommend you obtaining travel insurance to cover any cancellation fees
General
Check in 2.00pm onwards
Check out approximately 10.00am
Fly Fishing Packages:
All rates listed below are per person. Double occupancy includes one guide between two anglers & the single rate includes own personal guide.SHOULDER SEASON: Spring(November 1st 2017 to December 14th 2017) ANDAutumn/Fall (March 15th 2018 to March 31st 2018 3 nights/2 days - $2340 pp double/$3585 pp single NZD 4 nights/3 days - $3245 pp double/$5030 pp single NZD 5 nights/4 days - $4150 pp double/$6475 pp single NZD 6 nights/5 days - $5055 pp double/$7920 pp single NZD 7 nights/6 days - $5960 pp double/$9365 pp single NZD PEAK SEASON:Summer (December 15th 2017 to March 14th 2018) 3 nights/2 days - $2625 pp double/$3675 pp single NZD 4 nights/3 days - $3625 pp double/$5150 pp single NZD 5 nights/4 days - $4625 pp double/$6625 pp single NZD 6 nights/5 days - $5625 pp double/$8100 pp single NZD7 nights/6 days - $6625 pp double/$9575 pp single NZD
Clothing
We recommend
- natural coloured clothing
- good quality polarised sun or prescription glasses.
- wide brimmed hat or baseball cap
- good quality dull coloured hooded rain jacket
- polypropylene tights, lightweight shorts and gaters.......... if you prefer to wade wet
- otherwise light weight waders
- your own comfortable rubber soled boots
Riverview Lodge holds most sizes of waders and boots for your use if you prefer.
Fishing Equipment
- sage green or brown line - weight forward
- long leaders and fine tippet
- 6 or 7 weight rod (Rods can be loaded with one size bigger line)
The Guides carry some flies, and most american patterns work well here.
DRY - Size 12-16
- Cicades, Royal Wulff, Parachute Adams
NYMPHS - Size 12-16
- Hare & Copper, Pheasant tail,
- Nymphs should be tied with tungston bead heads or have lead in them.
Testimonials
I found John to be outstanding and I can tell you that I learned more from this man in 2 days on the river than I have been able to teach myself over the past 20+ years of fly fishing. I affectionately refer to him now as the "Fish Whisperer". GLS
Thank you so much for the terrific fishing trip. We enjoyed your hospitality and great food. The 8lb Brown I caught will be the talk of California!
Bonnie & Bill Volkman, CA. USA.
I cannot even begin to thank you for the hospitality you've shown me. I dont know how I can go back to the small fish in the States! Thank you
Mark Kershner, Colorado, USA
Many thanks for the great fishing, great food and wine and warm hospitality, not to mention the spectacular view. I hope to return!
Robert K Johnson, New York USA