Rivers in good condition for early salmon runs

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33094, 8 December 1972, Page 19

Rivers in good condition for early salmon runs

The outlets of the major rivers in the Ashburton County at present, only a few weeks before the main runs of salmon begin up-river to the spawning grounds, have good flows of water to the sea.

This encouraging sign, however, can be only an indication of the conditions for the early part of the run, as a period of hot weather and big demands on irrigation waters from the Rangitata and Ashburton Rivers could quickly reduce the volume of clear water and affect the salmon fishery.

Last season for a considerable period the cumulative effect of low flow of the Ashburton River and build-up of shingle at the beach outlet prevented salmon from entering the river. The condition was not relieved until heavy rains in the headwaters caused flooding sufficient to scour a new channel to the sea. The Ashburton Acclimatisation Society’s ranger (Mr B. H. Strange) said the adverse conditions would not affect the number for condition of salmon this season. Salmon returned from the sea to their spawning

grounds in three to fouryear cycles. For the protection of the species about half the salmon spawned, returned to their spawning ground to breed after three years, and half after four years. This prevented abnormal conditions wiping out the species. Mr Strange said the water levels in the Rakaia, Rangitata, and Ashburton rivers were good at present, and it was hoped that no abnormally dry spell happened to cause any deterioration. “There is quite a good flow down the Ashburton River

and it is hoped this can continue,” he said. The Rakaia River should not change in its ability to provide free entry of salmon to the spawning grounds, but the Rangitata and Ashburton rivers suffered big reductions in flow because of the major irrigation schemes which they supplied, he said. Although a few early salmon have been caught in the last fortnight, Mr Strange said the main runs began after Christmas and the New Year.

None of the salmon caught so far has apparently been of sufficient size to warrant the anglers submitting them for weighing in the annual fishing contest conducted over each season by an Ashburton sports goods firm. There have been no entries of salmon so far. The heaviest brown trout entered in the contest is a fish of 101 b 2oz caught by Mr P. Etheridge of Thomas Street, Ashburton. The heaviest rainbow trout, of 61b lloz has been entered by Roger Bowden, Burnett Street, Ashburton.