| This salmon was caught in the Waimakariri River at McIntoshes Rocks on 1 April 2007. Unfortunately it was foul hooked by the zed spinner about mid-way on its side and so had to be released. It was quickly netted and lifted from the water, the hook removed and then lowered back into the river where it swam away. It was fresh and silver. The weight would have been about 20 pounds! This raises an interesting question. Particularly If you haven't landed a salmon all season is it better to have foul-hooked and released one, or is it better to have not hooked one at all?
In any event the Easter break is a good time to catch a salmon in North Canterbury. There are plenty of them in the Waimakariri River at present. However, the salmon are often swirling around on the surface at McIntoshes Rocks as if laughing at the gathered anglers. These fish won't, generally speaking, take a spinner. The old saying being that if you can see the salmon they won't be biting. I think that is a true story. But they do seem to go on the bite at first light in the morning, and for short periods during the day. See also salmon fishing at McIntoshes Rocks. Take a look at this salmon net at mcIntoshes Rocks.
The salmon season in North Canterbury has improved considerably during March and early April so don't hang up your rod just yet!
Take a look at the Shimano Moocher reel. You might also be interested what salmon eat at sea? History of salmon fishing in the Waitaki River and Line of Salmon Anglers at the Rangitata River. Read about Otago Harbour Salmon Fishing. Learn how to fix that annoying leak in your waders. Fishing with white salmon lures. Much depends on the speed at which you wind in your zed spinners. Still keen? Take a look at super salmon spinners, even more about salmon zed spinners. Salmon ticers designed for long distance casting (also called weight-forward hex wobblers). |
