Salmon prize to Ashburton man

Press, 27 February 1984, Page 9

Salmon prize to Ashburton man

An Ashburton man, Mr I. H. Watson, won $3OOO for the best salmon over-all at the Geraldine-Rangitata Salmon Association’s $15,000 salmon and trout fishing contest during the week-end.

Mr Watson caught his 15.875 kg salmon on the first day of the contest (Friday). A. N. Bland, at Geraldine, won the $l5OO prize for second-heaviest salmon over-all, a fish weighing 13.015 kg, also caught on the first day.

Third place, with a prize of $5OO, went to M. Hall, of Ashburton, for his 12.510 kg fish, caught on Friday. The over-all trout prizes also went to fish caught on the first day — $lOOO and $5OO went to I. Johnson, of Mesopotamia, for trout weighing 3.345 kg and 2.830 kg, and third prize of $250 to R. Pilling, of Geraldine, for a 2.280 kg trout. The second day salmon prizes were won by C. A. Hill, Ashburton, 12.155 kg 1; D. J. Booth, Ashburton, 11.495 kg 2; and H. Hill, Ashburton, 10.850 kg 3. Second day trout prizes went to I. Johnson,Mesopotamia, 2.165 kg 1, Tay-

lor, Geraldine, 1.55 kg 2, and G. Taylor, Geraldine, 1.240 kg 3.

Third day salmon prizes went to J. Nelson, Geraldine, 11.920 kg 1, John Watson, Ashburton, 11.410 kg 2, R. K. Stevenson, Rangitata 11.375 kg 3. Third day trout prizes were won by J. Main, Twizel, 1.475 kg 1, Mrs N. Pilling, Geraldine, 1.075 kg 2, and N. Pilling, Geraldine, 0.830 kg 3. In all, 132 salmon and 24 trout were taken from the Rangitata River over the three days, and these were all reported by the M.A.F. with weights and measurements, and “tags” were collected in the interests of research. Perfect weather and river conditions prevailed.

The Geraldine-Rangitata Salmon Association, who organised the contest, was formed last year to emphasise the need to preserve the Rangitata River for recreational purposes, and to encourage research. Officials said yesterday that it was likely that there wold be a similar contest next year.