Nelson/Marlborough Fishing November 11

Best Salmon Run Ever
Foot counts in late April of the main salmon spawning tributary of the Wairau River revealed 237 Chinook salmon, the best salmon count ever recorded in the Wairau.

Even more pleasing is the fact that only a 3km section of stream was counted.

This is a shorter distance counted along the river than usual but was the result of high flows and reduced visibility and it was at least a week or more prior to when the peak of the spawning run would normally be expected.

This compares very favourably with some of the more well-known east and west coast salmon rivers such as the Rangitata headwaters which saw peak runs of 303 in Deep Creek and 76 in Deep Stream.

The Poulter River at the head of the Waimakariri this year had a peak count of 253 and the Hydra Waters at the head of the Rakaia had a peak count of 255 salmon.

It has to be said, however, that while the salmon run in the Wairau was the best ever recorded, fish size wasn’t particularly large, with most of the fish seen during the spawning count in the 2.6-6.6kg (6-15lb) range, although a few fish were seen that would have exceeded 9kg.

Unfortunately, due to the weather and river conditions, no further salmon counts were carried out later in the season on the Wairau or were able to be carried out on the Clarence.

Like the Wairau reports from anglers indicate that the Clarence River also had a bumper salmon run this season.

Given the salmon runs in both the Clarence and Wairau Rivers in recent years, if you want to catch a salmon but want to save yourself a drive, try targeting the salmon locally this season. Sports fishing licences, along with suitable salmon tackle are available from any good sports retailer, or you can purchase a licence on line at www.fishandgame.org.nz

Wairau a ‘must-do’ on any anglers list
If large, fast-growing, hard-fighting brownies are what you are into, then it is essential you give the mighty Wairau River a go soon before TrustPower’s hydro scheme is built. This scheme may well alter this fishery permanently for the worse.

A fair bit of walking between fishable sections of water is involved with this large braided river, but the rewards can be sweet if you choose a windless day.

There are also a few rainbow trout in this fishery, and at the right time of year salmon can also be regularly caught near Renwick.

Given salmon spawning counts for this system were the highest on record this year, and the pending hydro scheme hanging over this river, it is simply a ‘must-do’ for anglers this year, whatever you are targeting.