Prizes galore

Press, 4 February 1987, Page 47

Prizes galore

Fisherfolk who enjoy a competitive edge to their fishing activities will find several outlets in the form of competitions and prizes this season. The landing of a salmon without an adipose fin will put the fisher who returns the head to the M.A.F. head depot in the draw for a cash prize. Salmon fishing on the Rakaia could well lead to entry in a competition, enquiries for specifics can be answered by Michael and June Manion at the Rakaia Hotel. The annual Waimakariri fishing contest will

be held on February 14th and 15th, from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. this year.

Cromb and Merrit are again running a salmon competition for both members of the Salmon Anglers’ Association and the general public. Fish must have gills and guts removed and the heaviest fish of the season is the most highly rated in any prize category.

Staff advise that catches should be weighed promptly at any of the nine weighing points available as they can lose up to a kilogram through drying out. Patrons of Cromb and Merrit can obtain more detailed data on where these weighing stations are placed around Canterbury.

The need to get fish in to the weighing points has been given fresh urgency by the very dry weather conditions prevailing at present. Although variables make firm estimates of drying rates for landed fish difficult to provide, up to a kilogram has been reported lost over a twoday period. There is a total of $5OOO in prize money to be won in the competition the company is running. It is already beginning to look likely that the influx of North American anglers coming specifically to fish our rivers will increase again this year. Whether the competitive North American anglers take part in local competitions this year remains to be discovered.