The best salmon fishing in terms of fish numbers and fish size takes place on the South Island 's east coast between the Waiau River in North Canterbury, and the Waitaki River. There is also good salmon fishing outside these boundaries notably Otago Harbour, and the West Coast of the South Island. However these areas have patchy salmon returns.
The best and most consistent of the salmon rivers are the Rakaia and Rangitata. However few things are certain in salmon fishing. Some years other rivers such as the Waimakariri and Waitaki can out perform the Rakaia and Rangitata Rivers at least for a period of time.
Salmon need for there to be water in the rivers to run up them. Some years there is very little rain over summer and even the mouth of the Rangitata River can sometimes close off to the sea. Though at such times salmon are sure to be caught in the surf. |
