The Waitaki River, which straddles the border between South Canterbury and North Otago, is home of the mighty quinnat salmon. They have been homing on on the river ever since the first fish returned from the sea in May 1905.
The salmon run resulted from a determined government effort to establish the fish in New Zealand. Earlier attempts to get the species established had failed.
About one million eggs were hatched at Hakataramea and Lake Ohau in 1901, and then released into streams feeding the Waitaki River.
The man responsible for this act was Lake Falconer Ayson. In 1897 the Marine Department set up a fishery division and appointed Lake as Chief Inspector of Fisheries, to develop the sea fish, oysters and salmon fisheries.
He was sent on a tour of Europe, Great Britain and America in search of suitable fish species to introduce to New Zealand. His major success in this direction was the establishment of quinnat salmon in the South Island rivers including the Waitaki.
He made four trips to the United States and Canada. On each trip he returned to New Zealand with one million eggs. On another occasion when he was not able to make the trip, his son Charles brought in a similar shipment.
Charles Ayson was in charge of the Salmon Hatcheries for thirty years while ova were hatched and distributed in the various rivers.
A 12 lb hen salmon which returned to the Waitaki in 1905 became the first to be trapped. The following year 17 fish were trapped in the Hakataramea River. From then on the numbers returning each year steadily increased.
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).
Salmon Angling in New Zealand Waitaki River Salmon Fishing Contest Winning fish weights since 1984
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