WEST COAST, NEW ZEALAND HOSTED TRIP

Fly Fish NEW ZEALAND’S WEST Coast: March 2026

THE TRIP

In March 2026, a select group of just four anglers will gather on New Zealand’s wild West Coast for an exclusive hosted fly fishing adventure. Based at Lake Brunner Lodge, this trip combines boutique accommodation, expert guiding, and a carefully planned fishing program designed to showcase the best of the region’s rivers and headwaters.

Unlike a standard lodge stay, this is a fully hosted event. You’ll share the week with fellow anglers, guided by a 2:1 ratio, and enjoy one unforgettable helicopter day into remote headwaters. Evenings are relaxed and social, with great food and full bar service included.

The West Coast is renowned for large, wild brown trout in crystal-clear water. On this trip, you’ll stalk fish by sight in spring creeks, freestone rivers, and wilderness streams that remain lightly pressured even in peak season. Our hosting team ensures everything is covered — from transfers ex-Christchurch to fly boxes stocked with local patterns — so you can focus entirely on fishing.

ACCOMMODATION AND DINING

Your base for the week is the historic Lake Brunner Lodge, set on the tranquil shores of the lake, amid mature native beech forest. Each guest enjoys a private ensuite room, with common spaces including a lounge with open fire, a full bar, and a dining room overlooking the lake.

Meals highlight hearty West Coast hospitality, featuring local produce, fresh seafood, and New Zealand wines.

SUMMARY ITINERARY: MARCH 15-20, 2026

Sunday, March 15 – Arrival & Transfer
Meet your host and fellow anglers at Christchurch International Airport mid-morning. We can also pick you up elsewhere - let’s work it through together.

From here, we travel west by private transfer, crossing the Southern Alps to Lake Brunner Lodge. Settle into your private ensuite room, enjoy a welcome briefing, discuss tackle and meet your guides. In the evening, we regroup for drinks and dinner overlooking the lake.

Monday, March 16 – Thursday, March 19 – Four Full Fishing Days
Each day begins with an early breakfast at the lodge, followed by a full day of guided fishing (2 anglers per guide).

You’ll explore a mix of spring creeks, freestone rivers, and backcountry headwaters, including one highly memorable heli-fishing day into a remote wilderness river valley. Evenings are relaxed and social, with excellent lodge dinners and plenty of time to share stories and swap photos by the fire.

Thursday evening brings a special farewell group dinner at the lodge.

Friday, March 20 – Departure
There’s time for a final morning fish on one of the local spring creeks (they are educated trout so casting to a cruiser in the lake might herald better success!). After brunch, we transfer back across the Southern Alps to Christchurch International Airport, or wherever you’re headed next.

CONCIERGE/TRAVEL SERVICE

If you are combining your West Coast Hosted Trip with other South Island angling destinations, Isolation Outfitters can plan your entire New Zealand itinerary – arrange transfers, fix issues and ensure any non-angling companions have tailored activities that are just as fulfilling and memorable as you will enjoy on our wilderness southern rivers.

As part of our planning service – and if you are driving and DIY fishing after your week on the West Coast – we are happy to supply a confidential DIY river-routing plan – based on 45 years of fishing throughout New Zealand – providing you with precise locations to make the most of your time traveling through other regions of New Zealand.

HOSTED TRIP DETAILS AT A GLANCE

Destination: West Coast, South Island, New Zealand
Trip Date: March 15-20, 2026 (Sunday to Friday)
Target Species: Brown trout
Difficulty: 8/10 (bring your ‘A’ game)
Group Size: 4 anglers with 2:1 shared guides
Hosted Trip Rate: US$5,495 (includes helicopter transfers)

HOSTED TRIP DETAILS

5 Nights/4 Days Guided Fly Fishing

  • Lodge (5 nights single occupancy) with all meals/drinks included

  • Four full days of expert guided fishing

  • One helicopter day into a remote headwater

    US$5,495 per angler

Accommodation is priced as single occupancy. Double occupancy pricing is available.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

  • Return transfers from Christchurch Airport to Lake Brunner Fly Fishing Lodge

  • 5 nights accommodation at Lake Brunner Lodge (single occupancy/ensuite rooms)

  • 4 full days of guided fly fishing in wilderness streams

  • One day with helicopter transfer into a remote headwater

  • All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) and bar service

  • Daily room service and lodge amenities

  • Concierge support from Isolation Outfitters throughout the trip

  • Limited selection of Skwala waders and wading boots available

  • Limited selection of Epic ultra-premium rods/reels for your use

  • A fly box stocked with ‘West Coast NZ flies’ is sent to each confirmed angler

EXCLUDED

  • International or domestic flights to New Zealand

  • Fishing licenses (required - we can assist)

  • Gratuities for guides and lodge staff

  • Personal fly fishing tackle and equipment

BOOKING WITH US

Our hosted trips often book out fast, so register your interest by email or phone with our team. This hosted trip is strictly limited to only 4 anglers. Your trip is confirmed with payment of our trip deposit, and the final balance is payable 90 days before your trip commences.

We are only running one hosted trip in the West Coast in the 2025/26 Summer so this is your chance to enjoy an unforgettable bucket-list trip to New Zealand’s South Island. Don’t miss out!

  • Slices of grilled steak with sauce, mashed potatoes, broccoli, grilled onion, and microgreens on a black plate.

    MAIN FARE

  • angler with New Zealand brown trout

    Typical Brown Trout

  • Scenic view of a river or lake at sunset, with trees and hills in the background and clouds in the sky.

    VIEW FROM THE LODGE

  • A large house with a gray roof and blue siding located in front of green hills and mountains. The house has multiple windows and a porch with outdoor furniture. In front of the property, there is a wooden fence with stone posts and a sign reading 'LAKE BRUNNER LODGE.' The area has well-maintained grass, trees, and lush landscaping.

    REFURBISHED LODGE

  • A man in water holding a large rainbow trout with a smile, surrounded by greenery.

    SUCCESS IN A LOCAL STREAM

  • Aerial view of a lakeside property with multiple houses, winding roads, green lawns, trees, and a large body of water with mountains in the background.

    AERIAL VIEW

  • Calm lake with a docked tree stump, mountain with clouds, and a forested shoreline reflected on the water under a blue sky.

    LAKE BRUNNER

  • A scenic view of a mountain with mist and clouds, a lake with reflections, and numerous tall trees emerging from the water.

    LAKESIDE DROWNED FOREST

  • Interior of a dining area with a stone fireplace, large windows showing a lake and hills outside, and tables set with glasses and utensils.

    DINING ROOM

  • A bright hotel room with a large bed, nightstands, lamps, a seating area by the window with two armchairs and a small table, and a view of a green landscape through a bay window. The room has white walls, wooden trim, a ceiling light, and a door with a round window.

    Lake View Room

  • A gravel pathway leading towards modern white houses at the base of a lush green mountain with clouds at the summit.

    WEST COAST BUSH

  • A man with glasses, a hat, and outdoor gear kneeling in a river, holding a large fish with both hands, smiling at the camera.

    Local Water

  • Person pouring red wine into a wine glass in a cozy, dimly lit room with a fireplace in the background.

    New Zealand wine by the fire

  • A house with gray siding and white trim under a colorful sunset sky with pink, purple, and orange hues, with mountains in the background.

    SUNSET

  • Spacious hotel room with a large bed, windows with a view of sky and trees, seating area with two patterned chairs, a desk with a lamp, and a patterned rug.

    Lake View Room

  • A man in outdoor clothing and a hat holds a large brown trout fish near a river with a mountainous landscape in the background.

    Target Species

  • Two black helicopters parked on a grassy field with houses and hills covered in greenery in the background.

    HELICOPTERS STANDING BY

GENERAL TRIP INFORMATION

WEST COAST HOSTED TRIP ENQUIRIES

Please contact us by sending us a message via our Contact Form, or calling us to discuss availability.

We will share much more trip information with you via email and phone to discuss this New Zealand fly fishing adventure, answer your questions and understand more about what you’re looking for from this trip.

SKILL LEVEL

You will enjoy this trip if you are a proficient angler with a capable casting stroke. We, together with your guide, will assist you every step of the way to improve your technique and help you connect with fish. However, you should be proficient at stalking large trout in clear waters and skilled at casting – able to confidently cast a large weighted nymph in variable wind conditions.

WEATHER

New Zealand’s West Coast is famous for its lush rainforest, and the variable weather that sustains it. In March anglers can expect daytime highs of 60–75°F (15–24°C), with cooler mornings and evenings. Rainfall is possible, but March is one of the most settled months. Rain often passes quickly, creating fresh flows that keep rivers productive and the trout active.

A quality rain jacket is therefore essential, along with layered merino or other warm clothing so you can adjust to changing conditions throughout the day. Sun protection remains important: bring sunscreen, polarized sunglasses, a cap or wide-brimmed hat, and a dull-colored Buff® or similar face/neck covering. Breathable wading gear is recommended, and lightweight fishing gloves and a chapstick will help with wind and sun exposure.

We’ll provide drinking water, snacks and riverside lunches – just come prepared to embrace a little ‘West Coast weather’ as part of the adventure and you won’t be caught out. We provide a full packing list for personal gear and fly fishing tackle, including fly selections upon receiving confirmation of your booking.

SATELLITE PHONE/MESSAGING

On our hosted trips, we carry multiple Garmin InReach Mini2 messaging devices, an Iridium Extreme Satellite Telephone and a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) on every trip.

In the event of a major medical emergency, the lodge will have direct contact with Global Rescue (or whomever you are insured with) for urgent evacuation to the nearest medical centre.

FARE PAYMENT

The fare for this hosted West Coast, NZ expedition is outlined on this page in US Dollars (USD$) and will not change after final confirmation of your booking (confirmed by receipt of your deposit payment to Isolation Outfitters), regardless of any fluctuations in international currency, fuel or travel costs. A detailed list of what is included is provided with your booking confirmation. Individual anglers are invoiced separately or together as you wish.

Currency: Payment can be made in US Dollars (USD$) into our Montana USA deposit account or our New Zealand bank account as you choose. If you wish to pay in NZ Dollars (NZD$), we will agree a suitable foreign exchange rate into NZD$ from your preferred currency at the time of booking.

Credit Cards: Alternatively you may wish to pay by credit card. We accept most major international credit cards and can provide a link for online payments.

Deposit: A deposit of 50% of the fare is payable to confirm your booking. Payment of deposit is deemed acceptance of our Terms and Conditions.

Remaining Fare: We require settlement of your full account 90 days before the trip proceeds. All anglers should consider comprehensive travel insurance and any required medical or evacuation insurance at this time.

Additional Travel or Tackle: We can arrange road transfers and domestic flights to nearby airports, and we can also ship in fishing gear for you to use and retain after the trip is completed if you wish. Any costs for these will be invoiced directly to you and are payable before the trip commences. Any additional trip preferences, changes to planned and booked travel, or specialist gear obtained on your behalf at your request will be payable on invoice.

DOUBLE OCCUPANCY

Lake Brunner Lodge is priced for each anglers enjoying their own room (single occupancy). If you are seeking double occupancy, we can provide twin or double occupancy rooms on request. Please contact us to discuss any aspect of your adventure. We’re here to help plan your West Coast fly fishing adventure at Lake Brunner Lodge.