Mataura River Lodge

Trip Overview
Located only minutes from several of New Zealand’s most famous pastoral streams, and in close proximity to excellent high-country rivers, Mataura River Lodge is the ideal home base for a true South Island fly fishing adventure. With over 30 years of professional guiding experience, Dean Whaanga offers guests an intimate knowledge of the South Island’s waterways and is a joy to fish with. For anglers seeking a top-notch fishing operation with excellent accommodations, personalized service, and easy access from Queenstown, Mataura River Lodge is a perfect choice. 

Lodging Details
Mataura River Lodge is a beautiful country-style lodge located in the quaint town of Riversdale on New Zealand’s South Island. The Lodge is designed with fly anglers in mind and includes all the comforts of the best home-away-from-home you could imagine.

Food and Beverages
Your host and the private chef prepare a full breakfast each morning with yogurt, cereal, fruit, toast, eggs, and coffee/tea. A substantial, healthy lunch will be prepared each day to take fishing. Back at the lodge after fishing, appetizers and cold beer will be waiting. Finally, each day is finished off with a three-course meal and a glass of wine.  

Typical Length of Stay
Trips of any length can be arranged. Please contact Yellow Dog to discuss travel details, length of stay, and more when planning your trip to the South Island. 

Non-Angling Activities
New Zealand’s South Island is home to some of the best non-angling opportunities available at any Yellow Dog destination. When you’re ready to start planning your trip, give us a call and we’d love to talk through the options that are available to you near Mataura River Lodge. 

Internet/Communications
Wireless internet and satellite-delivered broadband are available throughout the lodge and in each of the guest rooms. 

How To Get There
After air or car transit to Queenstown NZ, Mataura River Lodge (located in Riversdale) is an easy one hour and 30-minute drive south. The lodge is located directly in town and is very easy to find via Google Maps. 

Documents Required
A valid passport and visa, fishing license (if you have purchased it online), and proof of departure from New Zealand (a return plane ticket is adequate). Travelers will need to apply for a NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) before entering the country. This is a "short-term" via for those who are visiting New Zealand under 3-months and are traveling with a valid passport from a visa wavier country. 

Travel Arrangements
Yellow Dog provides airline reservations ad ticketing assistance through etcTravel Group, and a full-service airline logistics agent that can help book airline tickets, hotels, rental cars, and more. You can click here to request a quote or contact Yellow Dog for more information at 406-585-8667. etcTravel Group offers dedicated support services for all Yellow Dog clients. Service fees may apply when booking or researching tickets, and etcTravel will discuss this with you before sending quotes. 

Travel Tools
– Airline Ticketing
– Moon Phases
– Rent This Rod
– Trip Insurance and Emergency Evacuation
– Global Rescue Membership

General Information
Southland has arguably some of the finest brown trout rivers in New Zealand with lowland pastoral hatch fishing and high country waters all within 30 minutes driving of each other. 

Fishing is walk and wade. A reasonable amount of fitness is required however terrain will be chosen to suit the angler and discussed each evening before fishing. The diversity of the area combined with the extensive experience offered through your guide presents excellent opportunities for catching trophy browns and rainbows.

If you’re considering a trip to New Zealand, give us a call to discuss the style of fishing, equipment needed and more to see if it’s the right fit for you. 

Package Rates
Remember that Yellow Dog’s services are completely free! When you book a trip with Yellow Dog, you never pay more than when you book directly with the lodge or outfitter. Please contact Yellow Dog to build your custom experience.

What’s Included:

• All meals
• Appetizers and drinks after fishing
• A full day of professional guiding (1-2 anglers per guide, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.)
• Lodging
  
  

What’s Not Included:

• Fishing license
• Local taxes and any government service fees for permitted trips
• Gratuities for guides and staff

Mataura River Lodge (South Island, New Zealand)
TERMS AND CONDITIONS – CANCELLATIONS
A non-refundable deposit of 50% per person is due at the time of booking to hold both space and guides on all packages. No space or guides will be held without receipt of deposit. Full pre-payment is due 90 days prior to date of trip. Since deposits and payments are non-refundable regardless of reason, Yellow Dog strongly recommends that anglers and guests purchase travel insurance for your trip. If a cancelled package is resold by either the lodge or by Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures, then a full refund will be sent minus a $100.00 per person cancellation fee charged by Yellow Dog Flyfishing. For that to happen, however, all cancellations must be received in writing, sent to Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures, LLC. No refunds can be made for unused arrangements or fishing time lost due to inclement weather. In no event will the lodge or Yellow Dog be responsible for any cancellation of services or operations due to inclement weather, any event of force majeure, airline delays, missed travel connections, or any other reason beyond the control of the operator. If your flights are late and connections are missed, the operator is not responsible for alternative travel arrangements including flights, hotels, meals and any other expenses incurred. Receipt of deposit and/or final payment is acknowledgment that registrant has read and accepts the deposit, cancellation, refund and responsibility clauses for these packages. Once again, Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures strongly recommends that anglers and guests purchase travel insurance for all New Zealand packages.

Payment Terms for All Yellow Dog Trip Bookings  
Unless otherwise noted on your invoice, for all trips less than 90 days out, full payment is required after receipt of the confirmation email to secure guides and reservations. For trips outside of 90 days, a 50% deposit is required upon receipt of confirmation email to confirm your reservations.   

Yellow Dog accepts on-line payments via a secure payment portal – a quick and easy way to complete your trip reservation. Please reach out to accounting@yellowdogflyfishing.com to gain access. 

Yellow Dog Flyfishing Standard Forms of Payment 

• Debit card (fee-free) and credit card (3% convenience fee) - to pay via card please utilize the customer payment portal. If you need assistance, reach out to 406-585-8667 ext. #3 
• Wires - please include name and/or invoice number for reference on your wire. Please reach out to accounting@yellowdogflyfishing.com for wiring instructions. (client is responsible for wiring fees) 
• Physical check - please include your invoice number in the memo. Mail checks to 213 S. Willson Ave. Bozeman, MT, 59715

If you have any questions about alternate payment methods, please contact Yellow Dog at (406) 585-8667 ext. #3. We are available Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM MT.