North Canterbury Fish Game Releasing 60,000 salmon smolt.

60,000 Salmon Smolt released by North Canterbury Fish & Game at Montrose on the Rakaia River - 13 July 2008

Salmon smolt being caught and transferred into buckets before being released into the creek by the many eager young helpers.

Young boys, water, and fish seem to go together some how.

Young boys, water, and fish go together!

This sure is a lot of fun!

Note how the heads of these salmon don't touch the ground. This indicates they weigh around 15 lbs.

The water level being lowered in tank 2. Thousands of salmon were jumping in every direction. Some appeared reluctant to leave.

This 150mm long smolt will hopefully survive predation from eels and trout on it's way to the sea, grow fat on krill in the ocean, and then return to the Rakaia River in a few years time, either to be caught by anglers, or to breed and continue the cycle.

One of the 60,000 smolt released to swim down the creek to the Rakaia River. This little 150mm long salmon was quickly photographed and released..

The water level being lowered in the first tank..

The water is lowered again as young salmon jump in all directions.

As the water is lowered young salmon begin their journey seaward.

Only about one percent will survive predation from eels and trout on their way to the sea, grow fat on krill in the ocean, and then finally return to the Rakaia River in a few years time, either to be caught by anglers, or to breed and continue the cycle.

Any remaining salmon that were reluctant to leave were chased towards the door.

Montrose is located on the south bank of the Rakaia River approximately 6 kms up stream from the Rakaia Gorge Bridge on SH72.

Willing helpers man the barbeque.

Looking up stream towards the tanks as the young salmon are re- leased. Salmon Fishing