Motorbikes at the mouth of the Waitaki River. These machines with their balloon tires are very popular with salmon anglers who like to fish the surf. They are excellent for crossing the loose shingle typical of South Island east coast beaches and river mouths.
The walk along the shingle spit can sometimes be almost two kilometres depending on where the river has broken out of the lagoon. When the big rivers flood they typically "punch" out a new mouth more or less in line with the main river. However after an extended period of low flows a long lagoon forms. The prevailing current comes from the south and because of this the open from the lagoon into the sea "moves" steadily north.
These little motorbikes make the trip down the lagoon a quick and easy affair of perhaps ten minutes that would otherwise take over an hour to walk carrying a rod and reel together with the day's kit. The loose stones move under foot causing the walker to make slow progress especially on a hot day!
See also: Salmon Angling and 4WD Vehicles
You might also be interested in salmon fishing in the Waimakariri River, Hurunui River and salmon zed spinners. What do salmon eat at sea? Fishing for salmon with the Canterbury Lure Rod. Fishing with white zed spinners. Salmon in the smaller Ophi River.
Sea Fishing around New Zealand
